Kitchen Organization Tips
The American kitchen is busier than ever. We prepare our meals, eat and clean up in a hurry. In such a busy place, organization is key to keeping everything running smoothly.
Just like the office, your kitchen should be organized. If you've never organized a kitchen, it can seem like a daunting process. In such chaos, knowing where to start might even look impossible. Thankfully, there are some simple procedures that you can follow to keep your kitchen clean, tidy, and well arranged.
The first thing you can do to subdue chaos in your kitchen is to identify zones within the space. A kitchen zone is an area where you perform the same task over and over, such as preparation of food before cooking, baking, serving, storage, or cleaning. Once you have designated these zones, it's easy to optimize that part of the kitchen for the activities it plays host to most often.
When you embark on a major organization project, be sure to plan ahead. Don't take everything out of the drawers and cabinets unless you know that you have a block of time to be devoted to the project. Invest time in deciding what appliances and supplies will end up in what location. If you have a plan for your kitchen ahead of time, you won't be as likely to feel lost in the middle of your reorganization project. Consider your habits, the flow of traffic through your kitchen, and what appliances you use most often when planning your new kitchen. Then systematically remove everything from the kitchen and sort all items into categories.
You can then go through each category and choose items you want to keep and ones you want to discard. Items that you do not use often should be stored towards the back of the cabinet, or on top, to allow easy access to ones you use more frequently. If you have a hard time remembering what you keep in your drawers and cabinets, consider posting an inventory list on the inside of the doors. Another handy tip is to keep a grocery list on the inside of a cabinet door or on the refrigerator, where you can add to it easily when you think of something that needs to be purchased.
If you have trouble with forgotten items clustering at the back of your cabinet, try installing a Lazy Susan. These turntables will help you easily bring items at the back of the cabinet into view. Specialty organizational tools such as paper bag storage, turntable spice racks, and racks to hold plastic wrap and aluminum foil are available. These can help to save space and alleviate mess, but too many of them or ones purchased without forethought will contribute to clutter. Planning and careful consideration are of the utmost importance when organizing your kitchen. In addition, routine maintenance of the kitchen will lessen the need for major reorganizations. If you keep the amount of clutter in the kitchen low, your job will be easier in the long run.
Hunter Pyle
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/kitchen-organization-tips-129003.html
I’m a 24/f I recently moved and while packing i realized just how unorganized i really am, i was wondering if anybody has any organization tips for any part of the house, kitchen, bedroom, bath, etc. Its just me and my husband but we have a good amount of belongings, i have many clothes, purses and shoes, not a ton of closet space so i bought a couple of those plastic closets, we moved into an adorable 2 bedroom duplex, so we do have a spare bedroom, any advice would be greatly appreciated
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Also in the kitchen put items close to wear you will use them. Dishes close to washer as well as utensil drawer, Cooking utensils in container next to stove etc…
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Start by creating definitely/no brainer – get rid of it pile & a maybe pile. Donate the get rid of it pile immediately. Unpack the necessary items. Take a break and go through the remaining stuff again.*
Another option is to sell the stuff you are reluctant to donate. Cash is a good incentive. (craigslist.com, yard sale or community garage sale, e-bay for handbags & accessories)
For your clothes closet consider installing a second rod half way down. The top rod for shirts, the bottom rod for pants & skirts.
Shoe racks are good. I prefer stackable shelf-like ones over the specially shaped ones you "hook" your shoes onto.
For the bathroom, I usually need more drawers than shelves. If you can, removed a few of the shelves and replace them with a plastic unit w/ drawers. Store the shelves in the back of a closet so you can take the drawer unit with you.
Put a shower rack for your shampoos, conditioners, etc.
For the kitchen, get a thing for plastic grocery bags – the kind that you smoosh them into & can pull them out through a slot.
Store cookie sheets, cutting boards upright, like books.
The Container Store and The Container Store have good storage items.
Warning: Cull through all of your things before your buy storage units, etc. Otherwise, you might end up storing stuff you don’t need.
*Store all necessities first. Leave the other stuff in the 2nd bedroom & go through it every 1-2 weeks. Think long and hard about whether or not you need it before you "create" storage space for it.
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Try keeping like things together and stack as much as possible. Use your cabinets and pantry wisely as to not waste space.
Next go thru all of your clothes and accesories. Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, isn’t liked or you won’t wear. Try a stacking shoe rack inside of your closet so It won’t take up floor space. Keep purses in a plastic container that will fit on a closet shelf. Also keep like things together. ( a smaller plastic container for tights, panyhose, scarfs, etc) Remember to label everything so you don’t have to pull down things you don’t need everytime.
Also you can by the hanging closet organizers at any department store that will help you get and stay organized. Also you can get those shallow under the bed plastic containers to store off season stuff. With all of the stuff you get rid of have a garage sale and make a little extra cash or donate it to charity and claim it on your tax return for charitable donations. Make sure you get a reciept if you do that.
Most important to keep in mind is, things you don’t use, like, etc need to go.
Good Luck!!
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Organize your kitchen first. Pans near the stove, dishes and eating utensils near the cabinets and drawers. If the kitchen was built correctly, the stove and fridge should be near the sink and your food cabinets should be close for easy preparation. Get rid of extras, a second coffee pot, can opener, toaster, etc. When you need a new one, go buy it (but throw out the old!).
Bathroom: I use suction hooks for wash clothes, back brush, razor, etc; hang a waterproof shelving unit in the shower/bath to hold soap, shampoo, creme rinse, etc. Never keep more han 1 extra bottle of shampoo and such, with the exception of bar soap. Keep toilet paper near the toilet (if possible). If there isn’t have a closet in the bathroom, use a shelving unit to store extra towels, wash cloths, etc. Cover with a curtain for privacy.
Bedroom: Get a platform bed with storage drawers to hold out of season clothing/shoes. Also, keep extra sheets/blankets there. All hangers should be one way. Organize clothing by color or outfits with favorite items in front for easy access and seldom worn clothes (formal, tuxedo, special occasion clothing) in your spare room or packed. When needed, steam them. If something is broken, toss it. If mending is needed (hemming, button replaced, seam sewn) do it now. If you’ve waited 4 weeks, you’ll never get to it. If you absolutely want it, fix in NOW!
Stay organized: Throw out newspapers after you’ve read them and cut your coupons. Donate any magazines more than 2 months old. Keep life simple and you’ll stay organized (and moving next time will be easier).
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Moved 25 tmes in 10 years (finally left the man who caused it).