Whether people own their home or rent, most have the best intentions when it comes to keeping the kitchen organized. After the first few weeks in a new place, however, that resolution can fall by the wayside. While people still want a clean, organized kitchen, they get busy and forget or other projects take priority. By switching to a proactive approach to kitchen organization rather than the occasional cleaning spree, people should notice that their kitchen stays consistently clean and it is easy for them to find what they need.
Clean Out Old Items In Your Cabinets
I bet you have a few cabinets that you haven’t opened in months. Maybe you store items you only use once in a blue moon during the holidays or for large parties. You may also have “non-perishable” items that have… well, perished. Any easy way to open some space up in your kitchen is to just let go of some items you won’t need or can’t use anymore and start reorganizing. During this process, you may also notice it’s time to invest in a painting contractor to bring your newly organized cabinets to life.
Start by Cleaning Out the Refrigerator
Americans waste thousands of pounds of food each year because they buy too much, don’t pay attention to expiration dates, or both. The standard inventory system of first in, first out works well for a home refrigerator too. When buying new groceries, people should either circle the expiration date or write it in large handwriting and sort items in the refrigerator and pantry accordingly. Items used most often should go towards the front, regardless of the freshness date on the package.
The temperature of the refrigerator may need adjusting if some food items appear to spoil prematurely. It is also a good idea to place a small box of baking soda in the refrigerator to cut down on unpleasant odors. Taking everything out of the refrigerator and wiping down the shelves at least every couple of months prevents sticky messes that can attract ants and other unwanted critters.
Make Food Preparation and Clean-Up Easy with a Slide-Out Drawer
People often lament about not having enough counter space available in the kitchen. This can be especially frustrating when trying to complete lunch or dinner preparation. One simple solution to this common problem is to pull out a silverware drawer and place a cutting board on top of it.
Those who feel especially innovative can even design their own cutting board with a hole cut in the center of it for food scraps to drop directly into the garbage below. If that’s not an option, just pick the cutting board up and wipe the food scraps into the garbage with a damp cloth. This completes food prep and clean-up without having to mess up the entire kitchen.
How to Keep the Coffee Station Tidy
Nothing puts coffee lovers into a panic faster than waking up and discovering they’re either out of coffee or that someone scattered their supplies all over the kitchen. An easy way to keep coffee supplies organized is to invest in a small clear plastic tray and place items such as sugar packets, creamers, stir sticks, or individual servings of tea and hot chocolate in rows. The coffee maker and mugs can go on the counter right next to the tray.
Set Up a Pegboard to Store Large Items
Rolling pins, pots, pans, food strainers, and other large items are necessary in every kitchen. When there’s not enough space to store them all, a wall pegboard can come to the rescue. Pegboards are available in a range of sizes and colors to match the kitchen décor and can help to free up considerable space on countertops and in cupboards.
While the efforts to keep a kitchen organized are minimal, the rewards far outweigh any time spent to achieve this goal.
