Want to ring in the new year with a clean and organized kitchen? Read these tips! We have 7 kitchen organization tactics that you can use in the upcoming year.
Organizing the kitchen gets tricky. When you’re cooking up a storm (and even when you’re not), there’s so much to organize!
With items in all different shapes and sizes, it definitely takes some skills to conquer it all.
But never fear, we have some tips. The seven kitchen organization tactics outlined in this article will make your life a lot simpler.
No longer will you have to spend your days trying to find an extra set of measuring cups!
Check out some of the best kitchen ideas to get organized for 2020 and beyond.
1. Store Items by Frequency of Use
If you use your toaster every day, don’t put it in a hard-to-reach spot. Instead, store it somewhere where you can actually reach it!This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people fail to do this. Organizing your kitchen items according to how frequently you use them will significantly improve your life.
Everyday dishes should go on lower shelves that are easy to reach. Put occasional dishware such as serving platters on the top shelves.
If you end up using some dishes or appliances more often than you thought you would, just bring it down a shelf or two.
It’s easier to do that instead of having to get the step stool out all the time!
2. Set Up a Cooking Zone
Create a cooking zone around the stove. The idea is to store pots and pans and other cooking supplies as close to the range as possible.Wherever you cook the most, select that area as your primary cooking zone.
As for utensils, an easy way to reach them is by adding a bar above the stovetop. A hanging metal ledge would work well for smaller utensils.
Putting them in a drawer that’s close to your cooking zone also works. That way, everything will be within reach.
3. Go Through Your Plastic Containers
It’s easy for plastic containers to build up in your cabinets and drawers. Before you know it, you could find yourself buried in a pile of Tupperware.Do yourself a favor and toss any that have cracks or no longer seal.
After you get rid of containers that were taking up space, stack the remaining ones. Organize them by size to keep them neat.
As for the lids, place them in a basket with some dividers.
And another thing? Glass is a better alternative to plastic. Work on replacing your plastic containers in 2020.
4. Clean Up the Fridge
Even though everyone dreads cleaning out the fridge (especially if there’s a bunch of stuff in there!), you should do it regularly.Make a habit of tossing leftovers if you don’t eat them within a few days. You should also stay on top of milk, juice, and other liquids.
Make a note of their expiration dates, so you know when to toss them. Write the date on the side of the container with a permanent marker. Or, you can make a list and keep it in your kitchen.
And check your condiments every month or so. They take up a lot of space, so you’ll do yourself a huge favor by throwing away the expired ones.
Also, be on the lookout for any unopened doubles. If you find extra condiments that aren’t open, take them out of the fridge. Store them somewhere else in your kitchen so you can use them at a later time.
5. Have a Tray for Countertop Clutter
Want to get rid of the clutter on top of your countertop once and for all?It’s not hard!
All you have to do is place a tray on your counter or kitchen island. You can use it as a catch-all for all the clutter that accumulates around the room.
Then, you can take the tray and return everything to its proper home.
The more often you make a point to return things, the less time you’ll spend doing it. A few minutes per day during the week can save you hours of cleaning on the weekend.
6. Keep Your Coffee Station Tidy
Keeping a coffee maker on your countertop makes for convenient mornings. But, you have to strive to keep your coffee station clean.If you’re not careful, your station can become overwhelmed by coffee pods, sugar, and dirty spoons. That doesn’t make your kitchen look very nice!
Instead of having random supplies on the counter, tidy up the area.
Get a clear plastic tray and use it to store sweeteners, stirring spoons, and coffee pods. You should also put a few coffee mugs nearby for easy access.
Then, it’ll be easy for you to grab whatever you need without having a disorganized mess on the counter.
7. Group Food by Category
Doesn't having misplaced food get frustrating? If you’re heading out for a workout and can’t find the granola bars that can drive you bonkers.That’s why you should organize your food. It’ll cut down the amount of time it takes you to prepare meals, you’ll lose less food to expiration, and you’ll always be able to find things when you need them.
I recommend organizing your food into categories:
- The cereal goes in one spot; canned goods go in another, etc.
- Doing this will make it easier to locate like items.
- Organize your pantry shelves with grouped items. Trust me, your pantry will be much more appealing to the eye.
- You don’t want guests opening a cupboard and gasping when they see a giant disorganized mess!
- You now know a few kitchen organization tactics. That means it’s time to ready the troops and assemble everything.
- Soon enough, you’ll have an organized kitchen in time for the new year!
As for your organizational goals, don’t abandon them as the new year progresses.
Instead, continue to wow yourself with your impressive apartment organization skills. You’re doing a great job!
