Proper organization can provide you with a lot more space, and can make working in your kitchen easier as well as more enjoyable. This is true for large kitchens with lots of cabinets as well as small kitchens with very little storage space. Over time, any size or style of kitchen can become disorganized and difficult to efficiently work in.
Start organizing your kitchen by removing everything from the cabinets. After everything is visible you need to decide if there is anything you no longer want or need. A good rule of thumb is, if there is anything you have not used within the past few months; chances are you may not need it. Many times we buy new kitchen gadgets that we don’t really need. They seem to be fun and interesting at first, and we think we can’t live without them. Later we realize they are often more trouble to use and store than they are worth. They take up valuable space, and are not at all necessary. Some of these kitchen gadgets actually create more work because they are difficult to store and require care and cleaning. Either give away these disused kitchen appliances, tools, and gadgets, or consider having a garage sale. With the money you earn from selling these unused items you can buy useful storage racks and space saving materials that will help you organize your kitchen.
When putting things back in cabinets, put the most frequently used items on lower shelves. This will allow for easy access, and the cabinets are less likely to become cluttered again. Less frequently used items can be placed on upper shelves where assistance of a stepstool or chair is required. Items that you want to keep that are rarely used can be removed from the kitchen all together. Consider placing these things in a basement or in a storage closet.
Place kitchen utensils and cookware close to areas where they are most often used. For instance, put pots and pans near the stove. Consider buying a rack to conveniently hang pans and skillets within easy reach. This will provide more space within kitchen cabinets, or if you have an electric range, in the storage drawer beneath the oven. Items such as baking sheets and pans can be stored in these areas instead.
Also, store cooking utensils in either a drawer near the stove or in a storage container on the countertop next to the stove. This will enable you to find and use these items very easily. Keeping tools within easy reach will not only help save time; it will make your work in the kitchen much less complicated.
Everyone has a “junk” drawer. This is a drawer used as a catchall for pens, pencils, and miscellaneous items that have no other place. Organize this drawer by using a plastic divider specifically designed for utensils. This is a great way to separate pens, pencils, erasers, paper clips, and other assorted items. It’s a time-consuming task, but if you try the pens, chances are you’ll discover many of them no longer work. This drawer should be cleaned and reorganized every few months. If you’re like most people, the junk drawer is quite often the most used drawer in the kitchen, and it will again become disorganized soon after it’s cleaned.
Make the best use of the space you have by nesting items such as bowls, pans, and plastic cups. Doing so will save lots of space that would otherwise be wasted. Use caution when nesting heavier items such as mixing bowls. Be sure they aren’t stored too high a level where removing them could be difficult or even dangerous.
Once your kitchen is properly organized you will enjoy the convenience of easily finding and using all of the necessary supplies therein. Keep your kitchen in order by regularly straightening cabinets and drawers, and always put things back in their proper places. Keep clutter under control by instructing family members to do the same. Your kitchen truly is the heart of the home, and an organized kitchen is a well-functioning kitchen.
