1. Put everything in boxes before getting rid of the excess
Before you overhaul your kitchen or buy new organizers, clean up. Get rid of expired products, broken appliances, unnecessary things. Otherwise, you will waste time in vain, distributing what will only take up space and interfere with you.
2. Keep things in the kitchen that don’t belong there.
Of course, barbecue grills or New Year’s cookie cutters are associated with cooking and should be kept in the kitchen. But if you use them a couple of times a year, the rest of the time they just get in the way, falling under your arm and taking extra minutes. Such seasonal and festive utensils are best kept separately, for example, on the top shelf of a closet or in a distant drawer.
3. Focus on beauty over functionality
Everyone wants their home to be beautiful and cozy, but in the kitchen you should not start with decor. First, decide how to place everything so that you are comfortable. Don’t think about where to hang your collection of vintage plates or where to place a large stand mixer to make it look spectacular. There is nothing wrong with such a desire, it’s just better to leave it for later, otherwise your kitchen will be uncomfortable for everyday use.
4. Distribute things based on their size
Try to choose a place for pots, knives and other kitchen items depending on which part of the kitchen you use them, and not where they will fit. For example, a cutting board might fit perfectly in a cupboard above the stove, but if you’re using the board on the other side of the kitchen, then the organization isn’t particularly efficient.
Try a different approach – divide the kitchen into functional zones, and then distribute products and tools among these zones. Let’s say you’re adding spices while cooking, then it’s worth looking for an organizer for them that can be placed next to the stove.
5. Use bulky storage containers
Cereals, spices and other products are conveniently stored in glass jars or tin containers. If they have the same design, the kitchen also looks more tidy. But think about whether the containers save space or if they are not completely filled and only take up space. Don’t buy a set of pretty containers if they don’t make your life easier.
6. Keep a drawer
Many in the kitchen have a drawer where pens, bottle openers and other small items that are periodically needed during the cooking process are located. But if you have a small kitchen and every centimeter of space is worth its weight in gold, it makes sense to take this drawer with something else, and distribute the little things from it to other places.
7. Save all containers
Takeout containers, glass bottles, bags and bags are all essentials, especially if you’re trying to live a sustainable lifestyle and use less single-use containers. But be realistic: it is unlikely that you really need everything that you have accumulated. Leave what you regularly use, and recycle the rest or offer to friends.
8. Don’t Customize Shelves
Surely you had to put some things on their side or push them with difficulty, because otherwise they would not fit on the shelf. But the shelves can – and should – be adjusted by moving them up or down. This will solve many organizational problems.