Last week I shared some of my favorite kitchen organizing products and this week I’m sharing my 10 tips for organizing your entire kitchen. (Yes, it can be done!) 🙂
The kitchen is often the heart of the home. The heart and hub where everything happens, and also where the most clutter and chaos is often found.
While I wouldn’t want to change the fact that my kitchen is the heart, and the hub, I do like to keep it organized. Organized, so that I can ultimately prepare meals for my family with ease.
When it comes to organizing your kitchen, there are several things you can to do make it run efficiently. Here is my quick guide for how to organize your entire kitchen.
#1 – Ditch the duplicates (the ones you don’t need or use).
When you replace an appliance with a newer model, recycle or donate the old one. If you always use your favorite knife when prepping dinner, why are you storing those other 14 knives? Only keep what you use regularly. If you are not sure about what you could possibly part with, take any questionable items, put them in a box, and tuck it away. In three to six months, check to see what still remains in the box. You guessed right, if it’s still in the box, chances are you don’t need it in your kitchen anymore. Less is more.
#2 – Label storage areas.
When you categorize, and communicate this to your team (family members), then they will (in theory) be better able to follow said systems. This will also help to create a place for everything, and everything in its place!
#3 – Clean as you go!
When you are cooking, work to tidy up as you go. This way when your food is ready there won’t be an overwhelming amount of clean up to address.
#4 – Keep your counters clutter-free.
Counters have their purpose, but avoid the tendency to line up every appliance you own on you counter. Make a list of what you use daily and then only keep those appliances out. for everything else, find a place to store them. This will automatically make your kitchen look more clean and organized.
#5 – Recycle packaging.
When and where that you can, recycle food packaging and then store your food items in a streamlined system. This is easy to do right when you put away groceries. Doing this will help to cut down on clutter and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
#6 – Run & unload your dishwasher on a schedule.
This is so easy to do, and can help you from having a dish full of dirty dishes. Look at your daily schedule and then plan this job at a time that you can regularly start and finish the task.
#7 – Set up “zones.”
When setting up your kitchen look at how you use your kitchen. Create areas for coffee-making, food prepping, baking…however you use your kitchen. Then continue to rework things until you get it just right!
#8 – Use one brand of storage containers.
When you have the same brand of storage containers, you’ll be better able to stay on top of the storage and organization. Lids and bottoms will stack more easily which will help to keep the clutter under control. (This drawer below is not the best example, but you get the idea.)
#9 – Stock your kitchen with the essentials.
Determine what your staples are for your kitchen and then shop and store accordingly. Less is often more. For example, keep a list of what spices you actually need (and use) regularly. (I have a free printable that you can print right over here. This is a list of the most commonly used and required spices.)
#10 – Plan a prep day.
Once a week, work to reset your kitchen. Often it works well to do this on the day that you bring home groceries. Wipe out the fridge, recycle unnecessary packaging, pre-package snacks, and work on meal planning and prepping. This dedicated time will pay off big dividends, especially when you are in the middle of a busy week.
Also, remember the FREE Summer Organizing Challenge is currently underway, simply click, choose your project for the day, and organize away!
And…last week I did a TV Interview with the popular site Kids in the House! I’ll be sharing more with you when it airs on Friday. Be sure to follow my MWM Facebook Page for more info.
Happy Organizing!
