I started working on paring down the kitchen a couple weeks ago. I’ve mentioned before I don’t have much focus so I started by filling a box of pots, pans and other random items that just weren’t getting used and taking that to Goodwill. In that process, I organized my pots and pans cabinet and my dish cabinet. But that’s it. I didn’t touch the other side of the kitchen, the pantry or the lazy susan. I am going to tackle that soon.
Here are the things I am doing to simplify my kitchen
- declutter the windowsill – this space seems to be the catch-all for stuff. When I am clearning off the countertop, things just end up on the windowsill. I’m reducing mine to a couple of decorative items and functional canisters we use daily. Nothing else. Everything else up there either gets tossed or finds a new home
- keep the countertop as clear as possible – i have a hard time with this but try to keep it to my coffeepot and knife block. By hanging a 3 tier basket, I no longer need a fruit bowl and a couple canisters we use daily are on the windowsill
- put baking stuff up high – since I don’t bake very often, don’t keep all that stuff out and in the way of what I use daily. Tuck it away up high and keep the things I use more often readily available
- organize spices - either in a lazy susan or an organized spice drawer – preferrably sorted in alphabetical order to cut down on searching time. Go through spices every 6 months to a year and get rid of the ones that have lost their aroma and replace them.
- make items used daily more readily accessible – The best $6 I spent this year was on the utencil rack and magnetic knife rack I bought at Ikea and hung over my stove. No digging for the items I use each and every time I cook. And I have my pots and pans on a hanging rack. These things free up cabinet space and make cooking a breeze.
- organize the pantry – this is the hardest one for me because we don’t have an official pantry, just 2 huge cupboards full of canned goods, pastas and cereals. Things get cluttered in there very quickly.
- clean out the fridge - i hate cleaning the refrigerator but when I do, it makes me happy.
I’ll be getting to most of this tomorrow and will share some pictures of my results with before and after photos so check back!
May I add a suggestion?
I use the method CAYG. This stands for Clean A You Go. As soon as I’m done using a utensil, I clean, it, as soon as I’m done with something else, be it food or anything else, I put it away. That way, I only have what I’m currently using on top of the counter.
Happy de-cluttering!
[Reply]
Maybe I’ll join you. Your whole list has been on my to-do list for a month now.
[Reply]
Wahoo! You and Lynnae have been talking about wanting to clean out and declutter for a while – you gotta start somewhere
Good luck! And happy St. Patty’s a day early
[Reply]
Those sound like good moves. Have fun, maybe put on some music and enjoy yourself while you do it. Or the radio, perhaps.
[Reply]
Hmmm I think I will join you on cleaning out my pantry!! GReat plan you laid out ther. How did it all go?
[Reply]
I decluttered my pantry at the weekend… it is bliss to be able to find what I need without stuff tumbling around my ears!
Just got to face the rest of the kitchen now… defintely going to do in small chunks
[Reply]
oh i just love cooking and eating. i love to cook pasta recipes and the like.;`.
[Reply]
[...] posted the other day about needing to get to work on simplifying the kitchen. I am not done yet. But I have made some huge progress. I am embarrassed to say that I forgot to [...]