Kitchens gotta work. They are gathering spots, the heart of the home, and where we need to get the work of preparing meals done. Getting a kitchen streamlined to be a well-functioning workspace has always been one of my priorities in a home.
Often, we move into a new home and immediately unpack the kitchen, placing things where they fit at that time. We haven’t used the space yet, so often we don’t think about how the space flows while we are working in it. When needing to set up an entire house at once, there is much to be done. There might not be enough time to really think about how you will use the space. So it continues to be used as it was when you moved in, sometimes for many years.
No two kitchens are the same, and no two people will use a kitchen in the same way!
If your kitchen doesn’t feel like it has a good workflow, let’s change that!
*Tips Before Beginning
Kitchens are often very time consuming areas to reorganize. There are a lot of small items, and a lot of different categories to sort. Depending on the size of your kitchen, this process can take several hours (4-6+). Make sure you have enough time to devote to a full reorganizing session, and enough space to sort. I have found it helpful to bring in a folding table for larger kitchen sorting. Bring in a friend or family member to help!
- As always, I find the easiest way to start is to pull everything out. Sort into categories as you go.
- Evaluate the amount of items you have. Now is also a great time to decide if anything is not in good functional condition. Do you have a lot of duplicates? Are there a lot of specialty gadgets that don’t get much use?
- What do you have too much of? For example, not everyone needs two full sets of mixing bowls. If you do, determine how often, and if the second set can be moved out of the kitchen.
- Create a storage area for lesser used kitchen items. This can be in high upper cabinets and shelves, awkward corner cabinets, in a pantry, even in a closet or basement outside the kitchen.
- Free up the “prime real estate” of your kitchen from less used items. This keeps the things used on a regular basis clutter-free and easily accessible.
Clear the Countertops
- Minimal kitchen gadgets on the counters
- Minimal decor, or use kitchen items as decor
- Put away food in cabinets or a pantry (if you don’t have a designated pantry, my blog post has tips on how to create more food storage)
- Clear away anything that doesn’t belong in the kitchen, especially at meal prep time. I have my family take out any homework, books, toys, mail and other items when we are getting ready for dinner. It’s a great mini reset of the space before the work begins!
Use the Five Step Process to Edit
If you haven’t gotten your copy of my ebook “From Chaos to Calm, 5 Steps to Blissful Living”, subscribe to my newsletter on the home page to receive it. In it I lay out my simple steps to organize any space.
- Depending on the time you have, this can be done all at once or drawer by drawer/cabinet by cabinet in sections. I always prefer to completely empty the space of items whenever possible. The clean slate helps you with your planning, it is easier to sort items, and you will notice spots getting too “squished” as you put things back.
- Decide if there is another place outside the kitchen to store infrequently used items.
- Create extra storage. I don’t think you can ever have too much storage in a kitchen. Use the insides of cabinets to add extra storage. I have stored pot lids, pot holders, collapsible colanders and cutting boards from hooks inside doors. Is there a basement or garage door near the kitchen? Using an over door system can create storage for cleaning supplies, paper products, zip lock storage. It can even be an extra pantry space. Bonus for how accessible things are! I hate bending and digging in cabinets, I’d rather have less that is easy to find and reach!
- Plan where items will go based on work zones. Ideally, you can create separate areas for food prep, prepared foods, and plate/glass/silverware storage. I like setting up dishware storage as close to the dishwasher or sink as possible.
- Prime real estate are the areas that are easiest to see and access. Consider the things you use the most in your kitchen. Save your most daily use items for those spaces.
- Place your items in the zones, considering you may need to edit again.
- Don”t forget the fridge! Empty and wipe down the refrigerator. Bins and turntable lazy Susan’s can be helpful to keep items visible and easy to access.
Product Recommendations
Over the door storage: I have used both The Container Store Elfa systems, which is customizable, and this one from Amazon, which is easier to install.
Lazy Susan/turntable organizers can work in fridges or in cabinets to prevent items from getting lost. They also work great in corners of pantry shelves or corner cabinets. Make sure to measure carefully and consider the height of what you are placing on them. Round bottles tend to fit best. They come in many brands and sizes, but iDesign brand are what I have the best outcome with.
Have fun organizing your kitchen into a space that works best for you!