How to organize your kitchen
I like to start off by saying that most kitchens I go into (before renovations) are usually very unorganized. They often have cabinets filled to the brim with random odds and ends, 7 bags of the same spice, or mismatched Tupperware lids and bases. No one is perfect and I am still guilty of some unorganized areas in my kitchen. I would also like to mention that almost every kitchen we design for, we design it with a junk drawer so that the kitchen will remain clean and any odds and ends at least end up in one spot - there’s your designer tip if you’re renovating your kitchen.
With all that being said, I usually recommend going through your cabinets every 4-6 months or so to survey what you are and aren’t using. Places that are mostly commonly cluttered are pantries because in our society less is not more typically. People want to have a well-stocked pantry but what happens is stuff gets moved to the back and not used, items expire, and/or you end up buying multiple items and then have way too many tomato pastes. If you don’t have a pantry that is easy to access with roll-out shelves or drawers, I recommend purchasing baskets for grouping items. You don’t have to go and purchase $60.00 baskets so that it looks beyond beautiful, our local dollar stores have some great options. Baskets are a wonderful way of grouping “like” items and having a spot for smaller stuff to compile vs just floating on a shelf. I also love baskets for the sole purpose that you can take them right out of the cabinet and look at everything that’s in there and it makes writing out your shopping list easier and putting away your groceries a breeze.
Another area I recommend looking at that often gets cluttered is the Tupperware drawer or cabinet. How many of us are guilty of leaving Tupperware at our workplace or sending Tupperware pieces to loved ones with goodies inside only to never receive them back. This makes for a lot of odds and ends left in the cabinet when you actually need to pack up something. Also, sometimes Tupperware gets ruined, stained, or melted. If this sounds like you, I recommend pulling all the Tupperware and storage containers out and matching lids and bases together. Whatever is left at the end is considered “un-needed” and can be tossed away (or repurposed somewhere else, I use old Tupperware bases for gardening and lids for indoor plants to sit on so water doesn’t get everywhere).
Next spot that is literally the epitome of my existence is the spices and oils cabinets... If you don’t have little jars or containers for these… GET SOME. I recently did this and it’s a game changer and keeps everything fresh and from spilling all over the place. Plus, you can buy bags of spices from the grocery store or bulk store and just refill what you need - Eco-friendly and “amateur chef” friendly. Group your spices by usage category, for example; nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice are all typically used in baking so those sit group together. Basil, oregano, parsley, and tarragon all group together as fried herbs for cooking. Garlic Powder, Paprika, and Curry all group together cause they are flavour adding powders. Lastly, consider purchasing labels or a label maker for these, keeps things less “mysterious” and easy to find in the cabinet (designer tip, labels face out or on top of containers if stored in a deep drawer).
Go through your small appliances too, I think as a society we think every time as new gadget comes on the market, we have to have it! I am guilty of this but have realized I can make due with what I have unless I am in dire need of one for a special recipe I love and make on repeat weekly. I often meet with clients who have microwaves, toasters, and toaster ovens… and this is a hint if you’re renovating your kitchen, there is an appliance that can do all this in one. So before you buy appliances don’t just compare price, compare usability and functions they offer.
My last point on appliances is if you find yourself not using an appliance anymore and think “Why do I have this?” or “I don’t use this anymore” if it’s in relatively good shape, donate it to a second-hand store OR give it to a family member or friend. Years ago my mother-in-law got married and was gifted a bread maker and this bread maker brought her family so much joy for many years and she held onto it in hopes of one day using it again... well low and behold, guess who now has the bread maker and is making bread like it’s going out of style? This gal!
Anyways there are so many ways to improve your kitchens function without having to replace your cabinets and this all falls into the organization category. I have more tips to come and maybe I will do a 2.0 version of this blog post if you guys want more so please like and subscribe to our mailing list and feel free to share this article with anyone who is drowning in their unorganized kitchen!
Thanks for reading and happy organizing!
Markie.