Spring’s approaching, the weather’s getting warmer, and it’s time to give your home a deep clean. And while many of us focus on our bedrooms and living rooms, decluttering our kitchens often takes a backseat.
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But just a few organizing tricks can keep your cooking area clean and clutter free. That means no more hunting for that tortilla chip bag behind spice containers, clearing away coffee mugs to get to the toaster or bumping into children while serving them breakfast.
7 Simple Steps to a Clutter-Free Kitchen
Are you tired of looking utensils piled up on the kitchen counter? Do you regularly struggle to find cooking ingredients?
Then it’s time to take the mess out of your kitchen and utilize space that would otherwise remain unused. Here are a few things you can do.
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Remove Appliances from the Counter
The key to a smart kitchen lies in efficient placement of cooking essentials, including appliances.
Do you use that juicer, toaster or instant pot regularly? Having stuff on your counter only increases the clutter, so if you don’t really need it or use it rarely, put it away.
Are you, for example, a coffee lover? Then having a coffee machine on the countertop makes sense. But if you only make sandwiches on weekends, store the sandwich maker in a separate cabinet.
When your kitchen is organized, accessing useful items becomes quick and easy. So, keep only the necessary appliances on hand and store the rest.
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Store Utensils Close to the Dishwasher
One of the easiest (and most common) ways to mess up a kitchen is to leave dirty utensils lying around. Instead place them directly into the dishwasher or sink.
Also, consider storing utensils close to your dishwasher or sink. The further away you stack them, the more you tend to pile them up on your counters. Organizing dishes, glasses and cutlery in separate compartments and placing them close to the sink will make doing your kitchen chores easier. Also consider hanging up a utensil rack on free wall space.
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Get Rid of Junk
If you’re not a cooking enthusiast, chances are that appliances like pasta makers, meat grinders and ice cream makers are taking up precious kitchen space. Maybe you received them as wedding gifts or bought them without thinking the purchase through.
Donating or selling such appliances frees up space. This also applies to measuring cups, saucepans, cutting boards, mixing bowls, tongs, containers and other regular items. If you have more things than you need, consider giving them away. Fewer items mean less clutter, and less clutter means more time for yourself.
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Keep Minimal Decorations
Decorations look pretty but too many cause clutter.
A little bit of greenery can inspire creative thoughts but placing it on the kitchen countertop could cause inconvenience. Instead, consider displaying a small plant in the coffee station, or on top of the refrigerator or breakfast table.
If you want to display family photos or your toddler’s artwork in the kitchen, frame some of your favourites and hang them on the wall by your pantry. This will give the space a personal touch without making it look cluttered. Keeping decor to a minimum can also make it appear more spacious.
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Take the Space into Account
Before you stock up on spice racks and shelves, make sure you know exactly how much space you have to work with. That’s why you should measure your countertops and drawers before buying kitchen organizers. Installing expandable or spring-loaded dividers is an excellent way to increase flexibility and use space more efficiently.
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Empty Sloppy Food Packets
Bulk packages of sugar, lentils and pasta belong in the kitchen but aren’t necessarily convenient. Aside from occupying a lot of space, they also look messy.
Instead, consider storing sloppy ingredients in airtight containers for a clean and organized display. Just make sure you choose a big enough container.
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Start Afresh Each Morning
Clean everything at night and reset your kitchen for the next day. Make sure utensils and cooking ingredients are put back where they belong and that nothing’s left on the kitchen counter that doesn’t have to be there. By starting afresh each morning, you stay organized for the rest of the day.
For many of us, a clean and clutter-free cooking area is a dream. Too many appliances, coffee mugs, hanging wires and overpacked cupboards can quickly create a mess. By following these simple rules you’ll soon be on your way to a squeaky clean and organized kitchen.