Do you have a problem with clutter in the kitchen? You are not alone. Kitchens seem to be a landing place for all sorts of things – mail, school work, tools, extra batteries, etc. When you are overwhelmed by all the cabinets and drawers with too much stuff and not enough organization, getting your kitchen back on track requires a strategic plan.
How can you make sure everything has its place? How do you keep things from getting out of hand again? There are plenty of ways to tackle the clutter in the kitchen, and we’ve got you covered with the following five fantastic tips. Build up your courage, and let’s get started!
Clear the Countertops and Floors
Our first strategy for keeping your kitchen clutter-free is to clean off the countertops and floors. Keep plates, bowls, glasses and silverware off the countertops and out of the sink. Put away pots, pans and other cooking items as soon as you have finished using them. Unload groceries as soon as you get home; don’t let bags and boxes clutter up your kitchen. Try using a basket or shelf to keep them off the floor. This will help keep your kitchen neat and free up space for our second strategy.
Identify What You Actually Use – and Get Rid of What You Don’t
Now that your kitchen countertops and floors are clutter-free, the time has come to go through your cabinets and drawers. Start with the items you regularly use – like plates, glasses, silverware, pots, and pans. Ensure they are clean, dry and in good condition.
Sort through all the other cabinets and drawers to see what you have and what you don’t use. Be honest with yourself – if you don’t use an item regularly, the item is broken or half-empty, or has generally seen better days, get rid of it! You can sell, donate, or even throw the offending items away. The goal is to free space for items you want to keep and get rid of clutter in the kitchen for good!
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Install Storage Solutions
Even after you’ve cleared the countertops, floors, cabinets and drawers, you may still find you don’t have enough room. The best way to avoid this is to install storage solutions. Storage may be as simple as getting some baskets or shelves to put on the countertops or hang on side walls, or you may need to invest in a storage solution within your cabinets and drawers.
This is where the services of a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) can come in handy. With the many options available in custom kitchen cabinets, making the best use of your space and getting rid of clutter in the kitchen for good is possible!
Everything in its Place
But no matter what your storage system is, putting things back in their places is crucial to keeping your kitchen organized and clutter-free. Place the most-used items in a convenient location. Perhaps you need to move your Grandmother’s china to a higher shelf or install open display shelving.
Find a system that works great for you, and stick to it! And that brings us to our final strategy: commit to staying clutter-free.
Commit to Having No More Clutter in the Kitchen
Someone once said, “Commitment is the little choices every day that lead to the final results we’re striving for.” Have you found this to be true when eliminating clutter in the kitchen?
You’ve tried to get organized in the past. And chances are that even if you had some initial success, you were frustrated when the clutter returned. The key to breaking this cycle is making small changes each day. That may include loading the dishwasher after each meal, sorting and dealing with mail as it arrives, or keeping toys off the counter. You get to choose what level of commitment you want to make.
Of course, having the support of others can help you stay motivated to keep going when you feel frustrated or discouraged. If you’re living with family members, talk to them about your desire to get organized and get everyone to pitch in. A clutter-free kitchen is in your future!
Conclusion
Eliminating clutter in the kitchen is the primary goal of most homeowners who contact us for a free in-home kitchen design consultation. Even with the best strategies and tips, a kitchen layout that is not conducive to your lifestyle will continue to cause frustration.