Taking the Time Now Will Pay Off Later
Spending time now decluttering and organizing your kitchen will pay off in the long run as your kitchen is truly the heart of the home. We spend so much time in our kitchen before, during and after meals that it simply makes sense that we’ll get a lot of joy working in an organized and tidy kitchen. Getting rid of kitchen clutter gives us more room to work with and frees up storage space that we never knew existed. Are you ready to say “goodbye clutter”? Here are some great tips for whipping our kitchen into shape and keeping it that way.
So now it’s time to say goodbye to clutter and hello to a kitchen that works for you.
Here are some tips you can use today.
1. Start with a clean kitchen.
It’s easier to tackle the clutter if you clean the kitchen first. This will give you the opportunity to work undistracted by dirt and dishes.
2. Clear stuff out.
Take the items you never use and throw them out or put them aside to sell or donate. If you have limited kitchen space, put devices you seldom use into basement or attic storage. If you take your food processor out less than once a month, keep it in those less-accessible cabinets over the refrigerator.
3. Plan your counter space.
Designate an area to keep open as your primary workspace. Save time by keeping the gadgets that you use every day, such as your coffee pot, within easy reach.
4. Store the items you use together in the same place.
Store together the items that you use together. Have one spot with all the equipment you need to make a cup of coffee or tea or assemble a salad.
5. Organize your cabinets and drawers.
Stock up on storage products to keep things from getting lost in cavernous kitchen cabinets. It will be easier to find what you need if you take advantage of modular organizers, sliding drawers, tiered shelves, and pull down racks. You can even buy products that require no installation if that’s your preference.
6. Hang stuff up.
Reclaim unused space by installing hanging hooks. Expensive cookware can be kept safe and accessible on a pre-made trellis. The otherwise wasted space between the cabinets and counters can hold mugs, towels, and other small items. If you have a pantry or kitchen door, add a door rack for more storage.
7. Go paper free.
If you’re drowning in recipes and take out menus, consider the environment and your own peace of mind. With everything available online, you may be able to avoid much of that paperwork. Limit yourself to one small bin or clip to avoid accumulating documents you don’t really need. The USDA offers a wonderful meal planning resource filled with recipes and tips called Choose My Plate.
8. Keep your kitchen in order.
Rejoice in the fact that you’ve got the hard work out of the way. It takes more time to get your kitchen organized than to keep it that way. So strive to do a bit of maintenance regularly. You can break it down into one drawer or section at a time or into short intervals of 15 minutes a week.
9. Shop wisely – buy what you have room for.
Now that you know what’s in your kitchen, you won’t be wandering around garage sales wondering if you have enough shot glasses. Be discriminate in your shopping so you get only kitchen products that you really need and have room for.
10. Discard unused items regularly.
As you discover more items that you never really use, get rid of them immediately. It may make sense to keep a few plastic yogurt containers, but you probably don’t need an extensive collection.
11. Indulge in low cost decorating.