Since last year, I feel like I have become a master when it comes to organizing kitchens (if I do say so myself!) I have moved TWICE and I have also helped many clients set up their own kitchens as well after a move or rearranged it even after they lived in their home for years. Organizing kitchens are my favorite because I LOVE to cook and so I feel like I have a really good idea of where things make sense to go. Whether you like to cook or not, chances are the kitchen is still the most used room in your home. It seems like the family just gravitates to that part of the home. In this post I am going to share my TOP 5 tips to organizing your kitchen and some basic location rules to follow.
Set Up the Basics First
Especially after a move, it can be very overwhelming to see all the boxes that belong in the kitchen and try to figure out where everything will go. My best strategy is to set up your basic things first such as drinking glasses, plates, eating utensils, cooking spoons, spices, pantry items/snacks, food storage containers, etc. Most people have all these items to some degree and there are particular locations I like to put these items in. I like to put drinking glasses by the location where you get water. This may be by the sink or near the fridge. I like to put plates near the stove and eating location so that food can be plated and served to the table easily. Eating utensils should be relatively close to those plates. I like to put spices near the stove for easy access while cooking. These are just some rules to follow!
Don’t Get Too Wild With Organizers
Before I go too wild with buying organizers, I really like to live with the space and “practice” cooking to really see what the problems areas are. Just because everyone in the world has decanted their spaces into the beautifully labelled jars, doesn’t mean you have to it if it’s not a problem for you! Don’t go with the trends and just incorporate organizers for the sake of using them. Really plan ahead and think it through. Remember, sometimes less is more š
Declutter First
Before you try to figure out where everything is going to go, it is wise to really take the step of decluttering and purging first. Ideally you should do this before you pack but let’s be honest, that’s easier said then done, right!? There really is no need to waste time trying to figure out where to put things that you don’t even use.
Keep Snacks Accessible
This one is specifically if you have young kids in the house. I like to make sure that I put all the kiddos’ snacks in a spot that is easy for them to access. My kids are a little bit older now so this is great because if they ask for a snack (and I approve haha) I can just tell them to go pick out whatever they want. This is also very helpful for packing school lunches because I can send them to this spot to pick out the snacks they want for school that day š Call me lazy, but I love this tip! haha
Keep the Counters Minimal
I always try to get my client’s counters as minimal as possible because the less visual clutter there is, the more relaxing and inviting your kitchen will look. It will also be way easier to keep clean and you’ll have tons of space for food prep. It’s crazy to think that sometimes I will put a client’s toaster into a cabinet and they say they never thought to do that but love the idea!
