Keeping your kitchen clean is no easy feat. It seems that no matter how hard we try, the clutter accumulates at a rapid rate.
On the one hand, it’s great that there are tools and appliances for anything and everything our heart desires, but then the problem becomes storage space….or rather, the lack thereof.
The good news is that you don’t have to get rid of your handy cooking tools. There are a number of tips and tricks you can use to maximize your kitchen’s efficiency while keeping it organised. Here are some that’ll get you well on your way.
INVENTORY
While it’s not necessary to get rid of your most prized tools and appliances, it’s never a bad idea to take stock of what you have. Be honest with yourself. Do you really use everything that’s in your kitchen? If not, consider selling or donating what you don’t use. This is the first step in organising any kitchen. Once you’ve purged what you don’t need, you’ll feel much better and you’ll be ready to tackle the next phase.
CHALK BOARD
A sure fire way to get organised is to write out a weekly plan. An even better idea is to write it somewhere everyone can see it. That’s where the chalkboard comes in. Hang a chalkboard in your kitchen or dining room and use it to plan meals, create shopping lists, write down ideas, etc. When something is out of sight, it’s usually out of mind. Having a visual keeps everyone on the same page and organised.
HANGING SYSTEM
If there’s no room left in your cupboards for pots and pans, consider hanging a pot rack. You can do this over your stove or your island (if you have one). This helps a great deal with freeing space in your cupboards that could be used to store other things.
SPACE SAVERS
Rather than stacking containers on top of one another, remove the lids and stack them inside one another. Keep the lids stacked separately. This will free up a significant amount of cupboard space.
SHELF ORGANISERS
Cupboards are often underutilized. People put things on the bottom and top shelf, but there’s usually still unused space. Shelf organisers are handy because they add an extra storage layer. If you were to add an organizer for every cupboard, you’d gain a significant amount of space.
OPEN SHELVING
If you’ve got more stuff than you’ve got cupboard space, consider open shelving. This is a great way to create extra space. Just make sure to put all your nice plates and cups out in the open. That way it looks like a pretty display rather than a junky mess. Keep the bulkier items and the everyday dishes behind closed doors.
DRAWER DIVIDERS
Drawer dividers help you sort through utensils and pair like items together. They also keep things separated, so they are easier to find. Most people already do this with their cutlery, but don’t be afraid to try with other items. Think of all the little things this could be handy for…..scissors, elastics, food wrap, etc.
CURTAIN
If you have storage space with no doors and find that your gadgets look unsightly, consider adding a curtain to hide these items. Get something well made that looks good to add a touch of class. The idea is to make your space more organised while keeping it visually appealing.
COOKING UTENSILS
Rather than using drawer space for all your cooking utensils, buy upright storage tubes/containers to store them in. Not only will you save drawer space, but you’ll have easier access to what you need when you need it, rather than having to dig through drawers to find what you need.
LAZY SUSAN
Lazy Susans were all the rage once upon a time. However, it seems like many have gotten away from using them, but they are quite handy. Not only does it provide you with tiered storage, but it also rotates for easy access. It’s a great space saver for food items.
STORE BY USE
The idea here is that you organize your kitchen in a way that all the things you use on a daily basis are close at hand and easy to reach. Anything that is used only on occasion should be stored up high or in the back of cupboards. This will save you the headache of constantly having to use stools or dig through cupboards for what you need. Another tip is to keep your cooking appliances as close to the stove as possible.
When it comes to your kitchen, organisation is key. The more organised it is, the better you’ll feel about using it to its full potential. Maximizing efficiency is great, but you also want to create a space you’ll feel good about using. No one wants to cook meals and spend time in a space that they don’t like. Try these tips to get your kitchen in tip-top shape. It’s not always easy, but it’s certainly worth it.
