Sometimes it seems that no matter if we’ve been in our home for 3 months or 20 years, the kitchen always needs organization. If you’re one of those people that has everything in its place, then our hats are off to you. For the rest of us, it’s a constant challenge to find and keep everything where it belongs.
You know the feeling, right? You are trying to find something, but it’s not where you thought it would or should be. (And that doesn’t even take into account your significant other putting it away in the wrong place!) Maybe you have lived in your home for a while now and need to reorganize it to better suit your needs and cooking style. Or, maybe you are moving into your new home and don’t know where to start. Whatever the reason, it’s time to buckle down and get it done!
Living in one of our ranch-style homes in Walker Villas means we have carefully planned the kitchen design and have provided ample cabinets and counter space to help you find places for everything. But since we can’t organize it for you, we’ve come up with some ideas to help you create order in your kitchen.
If you’re moving in, empty all boxes with kitchen items first. If you’re already in your home, empty out each drawer and cupboard. Now go through everything and pitch or donate anything you haven’t used or don’t want anymore. If you have some pieces you want to keep but don’t use often, can you find a different place to store them so that they don’t take up valuable kitchen real estate?
Clean out every cupboard and drawer if needed. A hose on a sweeper is great for getting into pesky corners. Having everything clean first makes it feel like you’ve accomplished something even before the real work begins.
Take a hard look at everything that’s left and organize into groups that make sense –measuring cups and spoons, cooking utensils, serving bowls and platters, dishes, glasses, holiday items, etc. From that point, further divide items into more groups – glasses, plates, and bowls you use every day and those only used occasionally, - trusty baking dishes and ones for special occasions – you get the idea. If you have some items that don’t fit into any group, keep together and create a drawer just for them. Now you can get a clear vision of how much you have and the space needed for everything in the kitchen.
Now really look at your kitchen layout. Where does it make sense for you to put everything? Glasses by the sink or near the refrigerator? Silverware in a drawer closest to the table or eating area? Baking utensils near the stove or mixer? Plan to put things in places that make sense, so you don’t backtrack through your kitchen just to get dinner ready. Be sure the items you use most often are where you can reach and access them with ease.
How do you have your food items stored? Consider investing in clear storage containers so you can easily see what is in them. A Lazy Susan, a stackable rack, or a special drawer might be an efficient way to store your spices, oils, and vinegars. Use hooks in taller cabinets to store mugs out of the way. A rack, thin shelving unit, or even a pocket organizer installed inside a pantry door allows you to store plastic wrap, foil, and other items out of the way. There are numerous types of shelving units available to fit into your cabinets to allow you use of all of the vertical space, so spend some time looking at available options.
Now stand back and admire your handiwork. Being organized and having everything you need at your fingertips will make your kitchen cohesive and effective -- plus, it just looks impressive! When you build or buy one of our homes here in Walker Villas, you’ll truly be delighted with the kitchens we have carefully planned and designed to accommodate your storage needs.
