Looking for a way to improve your health, increase your budget, and lower your stress levels? Here’s why kitchen organization is the key to making it happen.
If you’re like most Americans, you’ve probably found yourself needing to stretch your grocery budget even further these days.You don’t imagine it—according to consumer price indexthe cost of groceries was on average 6.5% higher than the previous year.
With this in mind, it’s more important than ever to leverage every tool at your disposal to combat rising food costs. Add in the other benefits and you’ll see why a streamlined, organized kitchen is at the top of your to-do list this year.
The importance of tidying up your kitchen
First and foremost, a well-organized kitchen will help you save money and stick to your budget plan easily.
how? By knowing exactly what ingredients you have, you can plan your meals accordingly and avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary items. A well-organized refrigerator, organized pantry It also prevents food waste and spoilage, which ultimately saves you more money. It’s good for you and good for the planet.
Apart from saving money, keeping your kitchen organized also helps with time management. Everything is in its designated place, so you can quickly get what you need without wasting your precious time rummaging through messy cabinets and drawers.
But the benefits of keeping your kitchen organized go beyond just money and time savings. A well-organized kitchen creates a peaceful environment, reduces stress, and promotes calmness while cooking.
There’s a reason the kitchen is the heart of the home. Having a harmonious space has a positive impact on your and the overall well-being of your family.
how to organize the kitchen
Now that we’ve explained why, let’s take a closer look at how. Over the past 10 years he has designed and renovated six kitchens. Galley kitchen renovationI learned a lot of organization ideas to make the most of every space.
Here are some practical tips and tricks to get your kitchen in tip-top shape in no time.
1. Set aside a day dedicated to organizing your kitchen.
Organizing your kitchen can certainly be a daunting task. I’ve found that rather than working on a project for a few minutes a day, it’s best to take my time and work on it all at once.
Depending on the size of your kitchen and level of organization, this can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day or even a weekend.
2. Clean up the counter
Before organizing anything, start with a clean slate by removing all items from your countertops. This includes the kitchen island. This may also include the kitchen table if you have one as additional work space.
Counter space is used for tidying up and organizing, so it’s important to keep it tidy and ready for immediate use.
3. Organize your cabinets and drawers
Next, go through your kitchen cabinets and drawers and thoroughly organize them.
The most effective method is to leave all items empty. Create zones on your counter to group similar items together. Keep all your cooking utensils in one space, and utensils, serving plates, cups, etc. in the other space.
I also find it helpful to put small items in a trash can or basket so everything is visible during the process.
Having all liked items grouped makes it easier to find unnecessary duplicate items. If you haven’t used something in the past year, or if you own multiple versions, now is the time to donate or throw it away.
This frees up more space in your kitchen and makes it easier to find and access frequently used items.
Thoroughly clean empty cabinets and drawers, too. Don’t forget to wipe down your cabinet doors, too.
4. Assess your storage needs
After decluttering, review the remaining items and assess their storage needs. Need extra shelving, organizers, or containers?
For example, if you don’t have food storage in your kitchen; DIY pantry Add additional shelves to your space or to existing cabinets.
We also recommend making use of vertical space. By adding shelves or hanging racks, you can use this unused space to store items like pots and pans, baking sheets, and even small appliances.
Other kitchen storage ideas include:
- stacking box
- Small modular container that fits in a drawer
- knife holder or magnetic knife strip
- Other types of drawer organizers
You can purchase items online, stop by a store like the Container Store, or simply repurpose and reuse items you have around your home.
5. Replacing items using the zone method
We all dream of a clean, organized space where all our spice jars and utensils have their own place. Imagine walking into your kitchen, reaching without looking, and pulling out exactly what you need without having to rummage through piles or open multiple cabinets.
This is the step that will bring you closer to that ideal. Instead of just putting items back where they belong, now is the time to make strategic changes and add functionality to your space.
The goal is to make life easier and avoid wasting time and food. After years of trial and error, I’ve found that the best way to do this is to divide your kitchen into zones that make sense for your family.
Here’s an example from my kitchen.
- cooking – This zone includes the cabinets and drawers immediately around the stove. I store frequently used items such as pots and pans, cooking utensils, oil, and seasonings here.
- in preparation – This zone includes the cabinets and drawers around the sink. I keep my cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, zesters, peelers, and other prep tools here. This is also where I keep my food storage containers.
- baking – This zone stores all baking supplies such as flour, sugar, baking sheets, measuring cups, and stand mixer.
- waiter – This area includes platters, tableware, cloth napkins, and seasonal items you may want to use at your event.
- cleaning – I use a lazy susan under the sink to keep cleaning supplies like stainless steel cleaner and disinfectant spray within reach. I also keep paper towels, microfiber cloths, and extra sponges here.
The zones you need vary greatly depending on each family and what they make in the kitchen. It’s easiest to organize your kitchen by dividing it into more specific zones, so we also have dedicated zones for coffee, tea, and smoothies.
Separating items into designated zones makes it easier to find what you need while cooking or entertaining. Plus, you can get what you need for your tasks within your reach without wasting your time and energy.
For example, the smoothie zone can hold a blender, protein powder, peanut butter, cups, and straws, so you can easily access everything you need to make smoothies with ease. Meanwhile, the coffee station has everything you need to make the perfect java, including mugs, coffee, sweeteners and syrups.
Take your time and think about what’s best for your family and plan accordingly. This is also a great opportunity to get other families involved and voice their thoughts.
6. Tackle the fridge and pantry
Now that your cabinets are in place, don’t forget to tackle the refrigerator and pantry.
If you have a refrigerator, start by emptying everything. Again, group similar items on the counter, such as condiments, vegetables, and dairy products. You’ll probably notice that there are multiple items that can be combined or discarded.
Please be sure to pay attention to the expiry date. Place items that are nearing their expiration date in a prominent place in the refrigerator so they can be used quickly.
Wipe down shelves and drawers before replacing items in your refrigerator. Then use the zone method again to return the item. For example, you can use plastic containers to group sliced cheese, deli meats, mayonnaise, mustard, and pickles. Next time you want a sandwich, just take out the trash can.
Repeat the above for the freezer.
Follow the same steps for the pantry. Remove everything and group items on the counter. This is also a great time to check expiration dates and organize unused or expired items.
Wipe down shelves and return items to pantry. We recommend using storage containers and bins to combine similar items to maximize functionality.
7. Be consistent
Once your kitchen is organized, it’s important to maintain it consistently. Take a few minutes each day to return items to their designated zones and immediately wipe down counters and surfaces.
Also, periodically reevaluate your storage needs and declutter as needed. Being consistent will keep your kitchen from becoming cluttered and save you time and money in the long run.
Once you’ve completed this project and discovered all the benefits of organizing your kitchen, you may find yourself ready to organize every room in your home. Take the first step towards a more functional and peaceful kitchen today. Thank your future self!
