The kitchen, a room in your home that often sees plenty of activity. Whether it is the creation of dinner masterpieces or perhaps some of those cooking mistakes that we would rather forget, it can soon get messy and cluttered with so many utensils and appliances!
A cluttered kitchen can be frustrating, lack of space, not able to find things with ease and of course no room to prepare food all can have an impact on how you feel about the room.
A new kitchen is a blessing, a chance to start over and create a space that you can enjoy, socialise and of course cook those family dinners that bring you all together.
So how can you better organise your kitchen? We have put together our top 7 ways that you can make sure that it becomes a clean, clear and tidy room, one with plenty of space and surface!
Hang it up
One kitchen organisation mistake that is made is to only see cupboards and drawers as places to store items away in. Clever storage involves looking at all areas of the room as a place to hide, or in this case hang up those pesky items taking up space.
Aprons, utensils and tea towels can be popped on hooks on the wall so that they are easy to grab when you need them but out of the way when you don’t.
The ceiling shouldn’t be overlooked as when you install a new kitchen into your home you can also request a hanging storage space to be installed which allows you to hook up those pots and pans out of the way.
Think about how often you use things
When it comes to your kitchen there are going to be things that you use every day and those that you use less often.
The key to organising a kitchen well is to recognise how often you use everything and place it accordingly. Those plates that are brought out every day should be easy to reach and put away whilst the most expensive dining set that only makes an appearance at Christmas can be hidden away on the top shelf.
The same could be said for food items, with those much loved herbs and spices at the front ready to be added to your dinner and the once a month baking items popped that little bit further back.
File things by size
By this we are mostly thinking about plastic and Tupperware tubs which can quickly become messy and disorganised.
One of the best ways to keep on top of these is to pop them away in size order within each other. The largest ones at the bottom and then each smaller sized one within it. The lids can then be placed in a bag, basket or another tub together ready for you to dig out when you have the corresponding pot.
In some new kitchens you can install separate sections in drawers which may be ideal for hiding away lids and tubs together, but keeping the apart and cutting down mess.
The same approach can also work for baking trays and roasting tins, which can be placed within each other to maximise space.
A case for a basket
Cupboards that contain jars, pots and tins can quickly become cluttered and unmanageable. One way to ensure that everything has its own place is to use baskets within the cupboards.
Each basket could be used to store away a particular type of food and you can even use labels so that you can quickly find what you are looking for. Baskets also work well for non-food items such as cutlery, cleaning items and even things such as batteries which will often find a way into your kitchen drawers!
Organise Worktop
Organising your worktop space will ensure you have plenty more room to work with. Take a look at these laminate worktops from HC Supplies – they provide you with plenty of space and an easy to clean surface at a good price. Ensuring you keep this counter top space tidy and without clutter will allow you the room required to create great meals as it ensures that preparation is easier.
There are a number of great items from Ikea and also the likes of Lakeland that make tidying a worktop and keeping everything in its right place easier.
Buy a whiteboard or corkboard
Kitchen organization doesn’t just mean the kitchen itself. As a room that is often visited by every member of the family throughout the day, the kitchen is a great place to pop notes, reminders and lists for all to see.
Whiteboards are great for noting down things that need to be done or bought as they can be updated and removed with ease. Noticeboards such as cork boards are good for long term reminders, such as school events, parties and holidays!
They are also decorative and can form a great focal point for your kitchen.
Give books their own space
Often cookbooks are hidden away in a cupboard taking up space that could be used for food or cookware. Instead, why not make them a decoration in their own right by organising them on a shelf instead?
It is best to have this away from the cooker or sink to minimise the risk of damage, but close enough that you can grab one when you have forgotten how to make the perfect Yorkshire pudding!
Think outside the box
When it comes to organising your kitchen you may find that other storage and organisation items for the rest of the house can help.
Pocket organisers that are often used for storing away socks and underwear can be hung on the back of a cupboard door and used for rubber gloves, sponges and other items that you need for cleaning or washing up.
Large hanging shoe organisers can be put on the back of the door and used to hide away a variety of utensils and food items.
You can even use filing racks for magazines and papers to store your chopping boards in, keeping them neat and tidy.
When it comes to kitchen organisation the possibilities really are endless, so if you are thinking about installing a new, fresh and perfect organised kitchen or perhaps just giving your old one a bit of an overhaul then you will find the perfect way to keep it clutter free.
If you need help with your kitchen, then we’re more than happy to help. Contact us for details.
