Kitchen Organization Tips by Leslie Jacobs

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Every day I organize something. It’s the only way to stay organized. Some days it’s a drawer, or a shelf. But mostly, it’s just putting back what I have used the previous day. If it doesn’t have a “home,” it doesn’t stay in my home. It is that simple. Yet most clients I deal with are very nervous of organizing because of the fear. The fear of tossing something you might need again, or what if it is valuable in 20 years. Then, if that is the case, box it up, label it and store in the attic. Done.

Next up on my schedule is organizing the kitchen. It’s a 1940’s kitchen with 1967 wood cabinets. They are in good condition and it does have 2012 paint on them. But it’s a bear to organize. Everything is bigger now than it was in 1967 (including me) and the kitchen is much more than a kitchen then. It’s the place where everything happens and getting your kitchen into some sort of organizing heaven is necessary.

First, think about all the cooking you, your spouse and the kids do. Is there anything in your kitchen you haven’t used in the last year? Move these items to the pantry or the top cabinet. (Or donate them to charity.) If you haven’t used them in the past year or so, you may never use them.

Next, gather all of your baking supplies to one place in the kitchen. Yes, you might have to move a few things to accomplish this, but it will make your life easier in the end. Then, set up zones for the other things you cook. Group all of your pots and pans together (including the lids) and move the crock pot, toaster, blender and coffee pot off the counter. Store anything you do not use on a daily basis away and use the counter for anything you do.

If you need to know how many pots and pans you need, google the information, but then buy them at Goodwill or Salvation Army, or a Consignment Shop. Never pay full retail price if you can help it. Always buy with a coupon-even at a discount place.

I have my coffee and tea supplies on the counter. I use these on a daily basis. Two large white canisters hold the coffee beans and tea bags. The rest of my supplies of tea and coffee are in three canisters in the pantry. All my favorite mugs are in the cabinet just above the coffee and tea. It’s one of the many zones I have in my kitchen.

Second, buy a small corkboard and put it on the inside of one of your cabinet doors where you do most of your cooking and baking. When you are using a recipe, pin the recipe to the corkboard. This will keep it handy for you to read and will make sure you don’t touch it and make a mess as you read it. After using the recipe put in back in your recipe binder.

Mostly, the kitchen is organized and I love being in there with my friends, as they cook a meal, or make a drink. I just think instead of a table and chairs, maybe I should go with a couch and a coffee table. After all, that is all I make in my kitchen.

Have an Organized Day!
Leslie Jacobs