Do you find yourself looking frantically for gadgets, spices, and anything you want to use while cooking? That’s a sign it’s time for a kitchen clean up! I do a full organization of my kitchen every 6-8 months. It is like HEAVEN when your kitchen is organized. There is no better feeling then preparing a meal and knowing where everything is. I promise organizing your kitchen is not that hard and saves you hours of time and stress normally dedicated to looking for stuff. In five easy steps, your kitchen will be looking fantastic!
Step One: Take Everything Out of your kitchen.
While doing this make sure you are reading expiration dates. You will be shocked at how many expired items are still in your pantry that you never used. Throw those away and you are already making way towards an organized kitchen!
Step Two: Categorize Everything!
Thyme with spices, pots with pots. Organize tupperware bottoms with bottoms and tops with tops and by shape. Condiments with condiments, beans with beans, rice with rice. Categorizing is the key to long term organization!
Step Three: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Now I want you to go through every pile and ask yourself a series of questions. How often do I use this? Does it have any sentimental value? Do I realistically see myself using this in the future? If an item doesn’t receive a yes for any of the questions place it in the trash/donation pile. Though I never encourage my clients to throw away anything, these are the steps I take to allow my clients to see on their own why they don’t want certain things. Even when an item is in the sentimental category and going to be unused and in a box for the rest of its life, ask yourself, is it worth the space? If your grandma left you some antique S&P shakers but you only use them once a year then obviously you will keep them, but not in your immediate space. Now if grandma left you a set of serving trays that take up a whole cabinet shelf but you truly dislike them, you may want to give them to a family member who loves them or gift them. So now that we are finally done examining every item, time for the next step!
Step Four: Put Everything Back!
Before you put back all your items, really think about where you will put certain things in your kitchen, so they are easiest to access when you want them. For example I have my spices in the cabinet next to the stove top so when I’m cooking chicken piccata I can easily access the basil to add to my dish. Everything that you use the least always goes in the higher/harder to reach cabinets. Really work on having the counter tops clutter free. Counter tops are not a place t pile up mail and random items. Find a drawer or get basket as catch all. If you have a ton of counter space but not very many drawers and cabinets, leave your newest and nicest looking kitchen items out on counters. Have a bag of sugar but no room for it? Get some nice jars that you can store smaller amounts of anything that you bought in bulk. Be creative, and don’t be afraid to move stuff around in order to find the perfect balance in your kitchen.
Step Five: Consider Decor
Now that your kitchen is organized, and you have everything where you want it, consider some decor to brighten up your kitchen! Place your fresh fruits in a bowl prominently displayed on your countertop. Figure out a color theme for your kitchen and find objects around the house that can be used to decorate. Put some beautiful flowers in a vase to freshen things up. Have some money to spare? Find some lighting fixtures that you think will look great in your home. More lighting is always helpful for cooking and brightens the mood for nice family dinners. Looking for inspiration? Online you can find plenty of neat and fun options that will suit you. You can even make some beautiful decor at home for little cost with the help of Pinterest and other DIY sites.
Marla Stone Lifestyle Expert
www.i-deal-lifestyle.com
