In most households, the kitchen is the busiest room. It is where all the action is happening, from the lunch box preparations to quick snacks, family meals, and even last-minute homework assignments on the kitchen island. It is pretty easy then to go quickly from busy to chaotic in these unpredictable family dynamics, particularly in bigger households. For this reason, a good and efficient system and a good organization of the kitchen space make a big difference for a family routine on a day-to-day basis.
Keep the Worktops Clean and Clutter-Free A straightforward trick of keeping the kitchen looking tidy and organized has clean countertops. Considering that countertops are the most extensive surfaces in the kitchen, they significantly impact the look and feel of the whole kitchen space. Therefore, cluttered and messy countertops translate into a chaotic and disorganized kitchen. A clean and tidy countertop gives an impression of an inviting and fresh-looking kitchen space, ready for next meal preparation.
Organize the Pantry
Organizing a pantry is a daunting yet rewarding task, and once done, it requires participation from every family member to keep the system in place.
Start by emptying the entire pantry and thoroughly clean all surfaces with a non-toxic cleaning product.
Throw away all expired items and anything that has been sitting there for too long.
Use spice racks, turntables, shelf dividers, and see-through containers to store all your spices, nuts, pasta, and grains, so they are visible and easy to reach.
Keep the ingredients from similar food groups together to create a logical sequence. Doing so makes finding the items easier and helps in keeping the order in the pantry.
Utilize bigger baskets or bins to store and separate larger groups of items to save space.
Make a list of your pantry staples, keep it on the pantry doors and update it regularly. Take this list shopping with you and stick with it. This will make sure you never run out of the things you regularly use, and it will also prevent you from buying unnecessary items and making impulsive shopping decisions.
“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” — Anonymous
Everything in Place
Nothing will suffocate your kitchen space more than clutter. Not only does clutter minimizes the space, but it also minimizes your efficiency. Each day, time is wasted in trying to find spices, various ingredients, and utensils in the mess of your pantry and drawers. When there is a place for everything, everything is in its place, and working in the kitchen is faster and more enjoyable.
Do an inventory of all items in your kitchen.
Check every item, and if you have not used it in the last year, a least twice eliminate it from the kitchen. Things you occasionally use, such as baking utensils, should all be stored in the same place, in a separate box or drawer, so they are easy to reach and find when you need them.
Avoid having items like this mixed with your regular utensils. This creates chaos and unnecessary mess and prevents you from finding what you are looking for.
In your cabinets, push all the cooking ware and tableware to the front, so they are easily accessible.
All dishes, plates, and serving boards that you use only occasionally can take place at the back of your cupboards.
All dishes, plates, and serving boards that you use only occasionally can take place at the back of your cupboards. Organized space prevents wasting everyone's time and energy. So, declutter until you achieve tidiness and sufficient organization. For the best results, you should aim at decluttering at least once a month. The things you don't use daily should be out of sight, and if there is anything you don't need, don't like, and you are not planning to use, store it away. You can always donate those items or give them away to someone who will find them useful.
Create a System Developing simple daily routines will help in achieving effortless tidiness and organization.
If you opened it, close it.
If you took it out, put it back in.
If you spilled it, wipe it, or vacuum it.
Is the bin full? Take it out.
If you ate or drank from it, wash it, or put it in the dishwasher.
Is milk or juice bottle empty? Please put it in the recycle bin.
If all family members follow these simple rules regularly, the kitchen would be a less chaotic place.
All waste and cleaning products need to be stored out of sight to keep the air fresh, and garbage should be taken away each night. Also, a great way to maintain cleanliness in your kitchen is to adopt the habit of putting away dishes and wiping all surfaces before bedtime, and starting every morning with a fresh and clean space.