Let’s talk about how you organize your kitchen. I’m a big believer in being efficient with how and where you keep things in your space.
Often when you move into a new place things get put into random cupboards in your kitchen as you unpack, especially near the end, when you just want to be done already! Anyone else? And then they never change.
Take some time right now and open all your kitchen cupboards.
Ask yourself these questions:
Why do I have this?
Are things out of date/expired/broken?
Am I currently using this to its full potential?
Am I keeping this because I think I should, even though I don’t use it?
Are things grouped into categories?
Do I even need this category?
Is it close to where I use it?
Are the things I use everyday easily accessible?
The FIRST STEP is to declutter.
Only keep what you love and will use. It’s tempting to keep lots of cool kitchen gadgets, but they take up a lot of space and most things can be accomplished almost as quickly with just a knife.
THE SECOND STEP is to put things into categories.
Remember to keep things that you use for a specific task grouped with each other or close to each other. For example, if you make your own salad dressing, keep the oils and spices you need for that task together as much as possible. We have a breakfast station: everything to make oatmeal is together and right by the microwave. In your kitchen, you can have a sandwich-making station or toast-making station, etc. This will make completing your tasks much easier and more efficient.
THE THIRD STEP is to put things away in the most efficient way.
Once you have decluttered and grouped things together you need to think about zones. There are A, B, & C zones in every space. Whatever you use the most goes into your A Zone, which has the easiest access. Items that are used sometimes go in the B Zone and things that you use infrequently go in the C Zone.
Think about what you use most often and place those things in front or closest to where you need them. Things that are used less often should be further away and harder to access locations. How your organize your kitchen matters.
Pro tip:
If you have adjustable shelves in your kitchen cupboards, change them so they fit your things and make the most of the vertical space you have. Read more about organizing your kitchen at Clean Out Your Fridge and Freezer and Create a Functional Pantry.
If you want one-on-one help organizing a space, call me at 208.736.3306 for a free consultation. I’d love to help you on your organizational journey.