FOUR STEPS TO AN ORGANIZED KITCHEN
Brought to you by Joan Kosmachuk, Professional Organizer
and Personal Life Coach

"Don't agonize. Organize." —Florynce Kennedy

The kitchen is a place where we can feed and nurture ourselves and our family and friends. But for many, the kitchen has become one more cluttered room we'd rather avoid. Here are four simple steps to follow to get your kitchen organized again.

1. Simplify: Do you really use the fondue set? Do you really need a cherry pitter? When did you last use the cumin spice? Figure out what equipment, accoutrements, utensils, food staples, spices etc. that you REALLY use and get rid of the rest.
   
   I strongly recommend that you empty your cupboards and drawers completely for this exercise. Once each item has been separated from the “usual” place it has been stored, you’ll be able to see it in a different light.
   
   A simplified kitchen is much easier to organize and keep organized. Toss expired food, donate unopened, unused items to your local food bank, and new or gently used kitchen items to your local thrift store.
   
   
2. Sort: Once you have decided what you are keeping, sort like items with like. You may be surprised to see how many bottles of salad dressing you’ve got stored or how your mugs have multiplied. This is your second opportunity to part with things. Choose the best of the best in each grouping and keep only a “reasonable” number of like items that you know you will truly need/use. You will likely come across non-kitchen items in this process. Take things that ‘belong elsewhere’ elsewhere.
   
   
3. Store: Now that you’ve decided what MUST stay in the kitchen, it’s time to put things away. Place your most-used items within reach of the place you most use them. Pots and stirring spoons near the stove, dishes next to the dishwasher, etc. Store rarely used, holiday or duplicate items in less accessible cupboards or in a closet or shelving unit nearby.
   
   Store your regular food staples (sugar, flour, rice, pasta) in clear airtight containers. Choose square (vs. round) containers that will sit flush when placed side by side in the cupboard. Make sure your container is large enough to house the usual volume of any particular staple you purchase. For example, if you buy your flour in 5lb bags, be sure that you have a clear container that fits a 5lb bag of flour. Label your containers so that you don’t mix up the sugar with the salt for example. By keeping your staples in clear containers you will be able to easily see what you need to stock up on the next time you head out to the store.
   
   Consider using plastic storage baskets for storing similar items such as cake decorating supplies or vitamin supplements or kids snacks. You can even use baskets in the fridge to all the breakfast fixings. It’s much easier to pull out one basket of items that go together rather than multiple containers. When you are done with that grouping you can just have one basket to put away.
   
   
4. Save Space: Choose storage products and cupboard/drawer organizers that help you maximize your limited storage. Before you shop, measure the depth and height of your cupboards and drawers so that you will know which products will fit. If you have trouble reaching items a lazy susan can help bring items forward. Door-mounted spice racks can free up cupboard space and a wall-mounted utensil bar or counter-top utensil caddy can free up drawer space.
   
   You can also save space by containing items that tend to “sprawl” in your cupboards. Plastic ware and lids will take up less space when stored in a plastic ware storage box. Bowls and glass dishes that nest inside of each other take up less space than mismatched items. Baking pans stored on their side in a rack will take up less space than baking pans placed flat.

If you need help organizing your kitchen, don't agonize about it, hire a professional organizer to help get your kitchen back on track. To hire the services of Joan Kosmachuk, please email your request to info@simpleeffects.com or call 617-784-0707.

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