This kitchen is a great example of ample storage but lack of good organizing and storage systems. This family wasn’t really seeing the potential for re-arranging items to better maximize the drawers, cabinets and pullout storage they had. We tackled the family “command center” first, a corner nook that seemed to capture everything from flower vases to cereal, kids medicine to keys. This area had become a “dumping ground” and was looking and feeling very cluttered. 
We talked about how this space could best serve the family’s needs and started by moving the items that didn’t belong out. This process will usually create a bigger mess initially than you have to begin with. The chaos of pulling things out and not yet having room to put them away can really turn people off …but hang in there!
We transformed what remained by corralling small items like kids art supplies (cute glass jars), keys (on command hooks), kids medicine (in clear bins), sun/glasses (small basket) and frequently used phone numbers (for the babysitter/nanny etc). The nearby desk drawer became more effective storage for everyday office supplies like pens, pencils, tape, scissors, the check book and the families paper calendar for quick reference.We used the larger upper shelves for less used items like serving dishes etc. e used the nearby desk drawer for everyday office supplies like pens, pencils, tape, scissors, the check book etc. This area also included a family paper calendar for quick reference. In this case, we spent two 3hr sessions on the kitchen and tackled strategic zones working our way from one end of the kitchen to the other, finishing with the fridge (no photo’s-sorry). The pull out storage cabinets were limiting in some ways due to their narrow size and shape so we took careful measurements the first session for storage supplies that would help contain smaller things like sippy cups, lids and measuring items. We moved larger items out of the pull out units into deeper cabinet drawers and created specific zones for items like breakfast, baking, spices and cooking condiments.
I generally create a system based on zones for any kitchen if possible, taking into account what the client likes to do (lots of baking but not a lot of cooking or vice versa). In the end the kitchen functions much more smoothly. Thanks to labels on all the shelves and drawers everyone knows where things belong. If your kitchen needs a bit of order, try re-thinking where you store items and create zones for more efficient use of space. Your time in the kitchen will be so much more enjoyable!
