Kitchen Organization Tips

When I’m in the kitchen for a long period of time I get the urge to re-organize and de-clutter the place. Organizing the kitchen can help you save time and money. Just pull open the cabinets and drawers and see what you have (so you don’t spend money buying it again). I know I forget what is hidden in the nooks and crannies of my kitchen! The following is a general list of what I did to get some reason in my kitchen and some of my favorites I found on Pinterest:

• Open everything up and pull it all out! You don’t know what needs to be organized if you don’t know you have it.
• Start small and work your way up to the bigger stuff. Don’t jump into your pantry right away. Start with the “junk drawer” where everything gets stashed. 
• Use small containers to store in the “junk drawer” to collect small items. Use velcro to keep them in place. (Source: Babble)
• Make a shopping list for items you need to get your space together. Think about food storage as well as utensils and miscellaneous items.
• Use color! Make your room fun by adding a color system for putting items away. This makes finding things easy and allows everyone to play a part in helping keep the kitchen clean and organized.
• Use clear containers to store items. So you can see what’s inside and know when to replenish. (Source: Real Simple) 
• Hang lids inside the cabinet door. (Source: Martha Stewart)
• Store cutting boards in a mounted rack on the inside of cabinet doors. (Source: Family Handy Man)
• If you have small children, baby proof! With everything out, take the time to put “danger” items out of the reach of little ones. Add locks to cabinets, drawers, the pantry and refrigerator (if you have a snacker.)
• Create a “small children’s pantry” for the little ones. Keep child-friendly items in an easy to reach place just for those little independent people in your life. (Source: Apartment Therapy)

Summer is just around the corner and that means less time in the kitchen and more time in the backyard by the barbeque with family and friends. So, don’t be the cute host standing in the kitchen looking for that one lost serving spoon while your friends are outside — organize your kitchen. It’s hard work at first, but it’s so worth it!