Messy kitchens happen to even the most organized people. Over time and frequent use, kitchens can become a stockpile for items that either don’t belong or don’t get put away. The best way to get your kitchen organized quickly is to create a system that works for you and stick to it. Here are five ideas to help you get started.
1. Clear Up Counter Space
A cluttered counter makes it hard to get any work done. Creativity goes a long way here! Put your potted herbs on the windowsill to get them off the counter and help them grow. Wall mounted paper towel holders are also great space savers. Don’t like the idea of mounting it to a wall? Install it inside the cabinet door.
Another popular project is installing a towel bar underneath your cabinets. An 18” bar will do—no need for anything bigger. It’s great for hanging dishtowels, mugs or cooking utensils. Use S-hooks to hang items with handles or holes.
2. Group Similar Items
Keeping similar items together will make it easier when you need it. Keep your aluminum foil, plastic wrap and sandwich bags together in a drawer. Same goes for pots and pans. Develop a storage solution that will keep your pots and coordinating lids together so you aren’t scrambling for them when they’re needed. Another great tip: keep these items stored near the areas where you use them the most.
3. Use Modular Storage Containers
From baskets to Buddeez, make the most of your space with modular storage. This space-saving solution makes storage efficient, since many containers are stackable. Use square baskets to make finding oddly-shaped items easier and canisters to keep dry goods fresh.
4. Make a Kitchen Command Center
Do you have an ever-growing pile of paperwork and mail in your kitchen? With the amount of traffic a kitchen gets, it only makes sense to turn it into your home’s command center. To do this, clear up space where you can hang a mail organizer (one with key holders is extra helpful!). Adding a small whiteboard is also helpful so all appointments, to-do lists or shopping lists are easily visible.
5. Straighten Out Your Drawers
Junk Drawer
No matter how high our hopes are to keep a junk drawer clean, it never stays that way for long. Make an effort to go through it a few times a month to clean and organize it. A drawer organizer will help round up knickknacks like pens, Post-it notes and other random items that make their way into the drawer.
Cooking Utensil Drawer
Organizing a drawer for your cooking utensils will be infinitely helpful when the time comes to prepare a meal. Throwing everything in all willy-nilly is a surefire way to be digging around the drawer for a few minutes, asking “where’s the potato peeler?!” Use a flatware organizer to keep your utensils in line.
An organized kitchen should have a place for everything, from utensils to cookware. Keeping your kitchen organized is no easy job, but by creating a system that works for you and your family, the daunting task should be a little bit easier.
What works best for keeping your kitchen organized? Leave a comment and let us know!
