10 Tips for Organizing a Kitchen

By Kristen Andersen

1. Toss anything you don’t use:

If you are storing items in your kitchen cabinets that you no longer use, either pass it to a friend or relative, donate it, or sell it! If you haven’t used a particular item in an entire year it is safe to say you won’t be using it again. This will save space in your kitchen and time when you are hunting through a particular item for something you use more often.

2. Replace things that don’t work:

Take a good look at your kitchen items, if a pot always burns food, or the handle is loose, either fix it or replace it. Make a list of items you need and save up to purchase them.

3. Store frequently used objects in easy-to-reach locations:

Keep track of items you use most often and figure out where you will use them most. If you have holiday pans and cooking utensils, store them on high shelves or in the back of cabinets. For cooking tools that are used everyday purchase a jar and store it on the countertop, your items will be at arms reach during cooking, which will save time!

4. Create centers of activity and store utensils near where they will be used:

a. Storage or pantry: Be sure to go through your cabinets, pantry, and fridge to clear out items that are old or won’t be used. Be sure to donate canned food to a food bank!

b. Preparation: Keep all your cutting boards, knives, measuring cups and spoons in one place.

c. Cooking: Keep utensils that pertain to cooking next to the stove and oven such as pots and pans, pot holders, spoons, and spatulas.

d. Baking: Keep the following items in one location if you are a baker; flour, sugar, baking powder, a set of measuring cups and spoons. Try getting glass three glass jars and keep flour, sugar, and brown sugar on the countertop. The most common ingredients will be easy to access.

e. Serving: the tableware, serving dishes, napkins, placemats and anything else that you need to sit down and eat such as sauce, salt & pepper, sugar and keep these items near your table.

f. Cleaning: Keep the soap, gloves, dish pan, drying rack, cleansers, and towels close to this area for easy cleaning.

g. Waste disposal: place the trashcan near the cleaning and food preparation areas. (While preparing food, keep a bowl to dispose of waste as you work).

5. Clear the counter:

Reduce the number of objects that permanently reside on your countertops. If you only use the blender once a week store it underneath the cabinet. Any other knickknacks can be stored elsewhere.

6. Make a list:

Keep a list of supplies that are worn out or of side projects that you need to do. Writing them down allows you to tackle distractions later.

7. Tackle the paper:

The kitchen should be a place for food preparation and eating any mail, homework, newspapers can be put elsewhere out of the way. Create a new home for the paper in another room or if you must keep them in the kitchen make sure they are in a container and off the countertop where food is being prepared.

8. Clean as you go:

Perhaps this is the most important tip on this list. By cleaning as you go you’ll save yourself time and effort at the end. A clean kitchen is easy to work in and will save you from doing just as much work at the end of the meal.

9. Use a Lazy Susan

to store all of your spices and decorating items so you can easily see where in the cabinet they are.

10. Lower cabinets:

these cabinets can present various challenges, because it is hard to view and access items. Try installing a sliding cabinet so that you can see all pull out the drawer and see all the items at a quick glance.

Give Back To Ovarian Cancer Research:

Take a minute to give back. Go to Kelly Ripa’s Cake Off For A Cause http://www.kelly-confidential.com/rd/0003/ from February 10th to the 19th. Why? Because Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for every vote cast in the Cake Off. You will also get great tips on baking from Kelly and the Cake Boss himself. And don’t forget to enter to win yourself an Electrolux Induction Range