Sandra from Diary of a SAHM was asking me if I had any tips for keeping a kitchen organized. There are a couple of things that are important to me in my kitchen…..an uncluttered countertop, all like items are stored together, the things I use most often within easy access and as well stored where I’m most likely to need them. Let me explain.
First a picture of my kitchen.
An unclutter countertop:
I don’t have a lot of countertop so what I have I like to keep free for cooking. This means, for instance, that even though I use my slow cooker every day I don’t want it sitting out on my countertop taking up valuable space. Also not too visually appealing either.
All like items are stored together:
I created zones in my kitchen…..a designated space for everything. For example, my lazy susan in the corner there is my baking zone and everything to do with baking is stored there….which is pretty funny considering I rarely bake…lol. I also have all my cookware together, all my big bowls together, all my sippy cups, all my cereal, etc… This just makes it so much easier to know what you have and I am always amazed at how many people don’t do this.
The things I use most often within easy acess and stored where I’m most likely to use them:
Here are a couple of examples:
- use the cupboard closest to your dishwasher for the plates, bowls, cups…..pretty much all the items that are used most often (including the cutlery drawer) so when as you are emptying the dishwasher you aren’t having to reach too far, will save you so much time
- store your knives near your cutting boards
- create a coffee/tea station near your coffee pot or tea kettle….in the picture above I have all our coffee/tea supplies in the cupboard directly above the coffee pot
- the use of a utensil holder like this one from Pampered Chef…it is big enough to hold all the big and little tools and keep them in one spot
I also use a lot of baskets to keep like items sorted together….boy thats a shocker isn’t it…lol. I am very fortunate to have two pull out shelfs in my pantry and here is how I utilize baskets to keep similar items together and organized.
As you can see I have one of these and absolutely love it. It is amazing how much space it saves!
Another thing I use is one of these handy shelves in my cupboard to create more space. Take a look, very helpful indeed.
One other suggestion I’d like to make is if you don’t have a pantry consider purchasing something like this to use as a makeshift pantry. I had to do this in my old house because I didn’t have a pantry in my tiny kitchen. I found a spot for it in the back hallway of all places. It just tucked in nicely. It wasn’t as convenient as it would have been if it had been in my actual kitchen but it was better than nothing.
Sometimes it just requires thinking out of the box a little to find some extra storage space.
Now that I’ve said all that I’ll refer you this article where the author tells you some similar ideas but also a few more. I hope you find it helpful.
Happy Saturday!
Susanne says
I love that smart spin thingy. I have one too. Although I keep mine on top of the fridge because I use it so much constantly going into a cupboard for was driving me nuts. I need to get more baskets going. That’s a great idea!
Speaking of kitchen organization! You’ll be so proud of me. My project of the month is to get my recipes organized. Instead of a cupboard overflowing with loose papers, I’m actually getting it all together in recipe binders and *gasp* throwing away ones I haven’t used in 5 years! :vD
momrn2 says
This couldn’t have been more timely. I am working on organizing the items on the countertop a bit more… this weekend! Thanks for these tips as I am in the middle of it!!
The Lazy Organizer says
Great photos! I like my counters cleared off as well. The only think I have on mine is my bosch which I use every single day whether it’s for the blender, mixer or food processor.
It’s surprising how some people have their kitchens set up. I can’t believe I used to keep my hand mixer on one end of the kitchen and the beaters on another!
Anonymous says
Laura, thank you thank you, I knew if anyone could give me some great advice and pointers on this, it would be you 😉
Thank you again, I actually printed this entry out to keep as reference when I reorganize my kitchen this week 🙂
Huge hugs,
Sandra
Kathryn says
You have been spying at my house! JK…seriously, I do about everything except the Pampered Chef lasy susan. I just removed everything from my cabinets today and put in new shelf paper…plus I moved some things around to better utilize my space. We are having a church yard sale next week and I am getting rid of all kinds of things that I forgot I had! 😉
Mom2fur says
Ooooh, nice kitchen! I love how shiny and white your countertops are! Me…I have most of the things I use a lot out on the counter simply because my back problems make it too hard to lug them out. I don’t want to have to wait for one of my strong kids (or my husband) to help me. But I like to keep similar items together, too! It just makes it so much easier, doesn’t it? Now, if I could only figure out where to store my two absolutely HUMONGOUS cake holders.
robin says
I saw you over in my neighborhood (once upon a mom’s life-www.robinpaulsen.blogspot.com)so I thought I’d stop by your place!
Love it! Very helpful tips AND….nice to see other moms being transparent like you are!
Thanks for stopping over!
robin
Anonymous says
I loved this post…you always have great ideas
Marcia says
Hi there
I saw your comment on Aby Garvey’s blog and stumbled on over.
I also have that Smart Spin thing but here in South Africa, they call it the “Clutter buster rotation station”. I saw it and fell in love with it immediately. It is sooo useful.
Just wanted to put my two cents’ worth in.
Marcia
http://organisingtips.blogspot.com
Erna says
Great ideas!
dcrmom says
Thanks, Laura! This is great. I can’t wait to get to work. I needed a project for this morning, as I’m at home with sick kids. Thanks again!
dcrmom (blogger won’t let me sign in, grrr…)
crafty chica says
wow i love the idea of using a makeshift pantry.. we have a very tiny (real tiny that we have to keep the fridge somewhere else) kitchen so i could use the pantry idea..