Kitchen organizing is a dream job for me, here are quick tips to Curb Kitchen Chaos. I love to cook, so creating storage systems that are functional and easy to use is a joy!
Many kitchens these days are part of an open floor plan or open to a great room so keeping things looking orderly is important since food prep is no longer out of site. Kitchens often double as office spaces, family planning hubs and play areas. It can be frustrating to have toys and paperwork strewn everywhere. This kitchen is a great example of ample storage but lack of good organizing 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 “landing pad” first, a corner nook that seemed to capture everything from flower vases to cereal, kids medicine to keys. We talked about how this space could best serve the family’s needs and started by moving the items that didn’t belong there 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!
Kitchen Organizing-Before
Of what remained we corralled small items like kids art supplies (cute glass jars), keys (on command hooks), kids medicine (in clear bins) and used the larger upper shelves for less used items like serving dishes etc. 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.
Quick tip- Sometimes people don’t label because they think they will remember but if you have a housekeeper, nanny, babysitter or family members who regularly use the space they will not know where things go unless you make it simple and clear.
Quick tip-I have a variety of “go-to” favorite containers that I find work well for a variety of needs but will also take into account what the client likes and if storage will be visible we look for more decorative containers that fit in with the clients decor.
Kitchen Organizing-After
Created a system based on zones for any kitchen if possible, taking into account what you like 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!
I love how this space turned out, it’s both beautiful and functional and it gives the kids the freedom to have fun in their space but makes it super easy to clean up when needed. Do you have a space that serves multiple functions? If you find these kinds of spaces challenging or need help with set up, I’d love to help you! Visit my contact page and we can schedule a time for a free”get to know your organizing needs” call.