An organized kitchen is a kitchen fit for a chef who knows what they're doing. Whether your kitchen is big or small and whether you're a master chef or novice, keeping the kitchen organized and tidy is essential. That includes clearing off the counters, embracing organizational tools and thinking smartly about your storage space. If you’re questioning the space you have, just think differently about it. With the right accessories and tools, any sized kitchen can be decluttered in no time.
In fact, clutter is a chaos causer. From procrastination to frustration to mental well-being and dissatisfaction, chaos can actually lead to a number of negative consequences, according to a 2010 study from the Department of Psychology at UCLA. With the kitchen being a communal space where your family and friends may gather, as well as a place you spend time cooking and preparing food on a regular basis, you’ll want to have a strategy in place to keep it decluttered. Studies show you’ll benefit from decluttering when possible, so it’s time to get to it.
1. Keep the Counters Organized
Figure out a plan to best utilize your cabinet space. Can you stack pots and pans? Do you have a storage spot for small kitchen appliances like a blender? Does your oven have a warming drawer where you can hide away cooking trays? Think smartly about your space, and try to avoid leaving out items that can be neatly stashed away when you’re not using them.
Limit what's on the kitchen counters to decorative storage canisters, a coffee maker, a toaster oven, a mixer and a fruit bowl. Those storage canisters can hold items like large utensils and spices. Though, getting a spice rack is a great idea as well, especially if it can save you counter space. Hanging large utensils on the wall is another way to double up on counter space. Similarly, you may try to hang a dish rack on the wall or have a rack attached to one of your kitchen cabinets as another way to double up on space. If you have a lot of cookbooks that you typically store in the kitchen, you may want to consider moving them to a nearby shelf to better utilize the space in the kitchen. You can always bring in cookbooks as you need them. Keep items like papers, serving trays and photographs off your kitchen counter. There are better places in your home for those types of items than in the kitchen where your space is precious.
Paper towels are another item you’ll want to keep in the kitchen but off the counter. Installing a paper towel roll that hangs from the wall or off a cabinet is a great way to maximize your space. You can also install a paper towel drawer.
2. Allow Yourself a Junk Drawer
Everyone collects papers, bills, notes and other random items that have no place to go. These often end up in a pile that grows and grows until you finally get around to sorting through it. Don’t assume you’re going to change that habit. Instead, just prepare for it. Create a junk drawer in your kitchen where you can keep the random items that pop up and have no place to go. You’ll thank yourself later when all of those things are in one drawer and not cluttering up your kitchen.
3. Don’t Procrastinate on Doing the Dishes
No one enjoys washing the dishes. Do they? But it’s best not to leave the dishes for another time and just get to washing them right away after use. Once you leave the dishes for an hour, day or even week (we’ve all been there!), they’re simply cluttering up your kitchen and adding to a potential mess. It may be annoying, but put the dishes into the dishwasher or wash them by hand within a reasonable time after using them.
4.Use Smart Storage Tools
Storage canisters are a great way to keep things organized in your kitchen while also being aesthetically pleasing. You can also use a label maker to label each canister you have in the kitchen to ensure everything is easy to use, access and keep organized. Also, consider vertical storage, meaning hanging utensils, pots, pans and other kitchen tools upright instead of piling them away in drawers. This can help you maximize your space, especially if you don't have many kitchen cabinets in which to hide items away. Building shelves is another way you can add storage space to your kitchen. Plus, you can always add more counter space into the mix if you feel yours is lacking. If you need additional counter space to keep your kitchen decluttered, you may want to consider a bar cart, island or kitchen work table into your kitchen or the surrounding area. An elegant kitchen cart can add additional storage space and counter space to your kitchen.
5. Get Proper Cleaning SuppliesIf you take the time and steps to declutter your kitchen, you’re going to want to keep it squeaky clean, too. Whether your kitchen has stone, marble, stainless steel or other finishes, get cleaning supplies suited for your kitchen. Getting the proper cleaning supplies will not only keep your kitchen clean but keep your appliances working for longer.
Keeping your kitchen clean and decluttered shouldn’t be a hard task once you have a plan in place to start you off. Maximize your counter and cabinet space, keep any items tidy and organized, find creative ways to store your kitchen goods and hang up whatever you can on the walls. But, most importantly, make sure you're happy about the organization plan you have in place. You'll want to commit to this plan for as long as you're living in your home, so make it a good one! If you need a reminder to keep the kitchen decluttered, a dry erase board on the inside of your kitchen cabinet can be a fun and useful item to have in the room.
Author Bio: Lauren Silver is a Marketing Coordinator for Abt Electronics, the largest independent retailer of consumer electronics and major appliances. Lauren oversees all content creation from their Glenview, Illinois Headquarters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, yoga, and cooking for her family.
