Most cooks know what it feels like to be in the middle of creating a meal, heating the stove, and watching the clock—only to have to stop everything to search for a needed ingredient, dish, or tool. Everything is easier if your kitchen is organized, and one approach is to set things up according to four common tasks: cooking, baking, serving, and storage.
The first step to take when organizing your kitchen is to get rid of things you never use. It’s time to donate that ice cream maker or old food processor to a local charity. If you’ve collected serving spoons or teapots that just sit in a drawer, out they go. Keep only the items you really need and use.
Next, store items you use less frequently in higher or more difficult-to-reach spaces that you don’t have to access everyday. Large serving pans used only at holidays are one example, along with rarely used cake molds or fancy salad servers you bring out on special occasions.
Now, organize the items that you use on a regular basis according to task. Store baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, baker’s chocolate, and baking powder in storage areas near the counter space best used for mixing ingredients (and not too far from the stove). Other items you’ll want nearby include baking pans, electric mixers, mixing bowls, measuring spoons and cups, and any other favorite baking tools.
You’ll probably need more space for the cooking area, which should be within easy reach of the stove and cooktop. Items you’ll want to store in this area include pots and pans, cutting boards, knives and mixing spoons, pot holders, oil, spices, and ingredients commonly used in your recipes (such as vinegar, garlic, or cooking wine). A stand for your cookbook is another nice touch.
The area set aside for serving should have space to store platters or bowls that hold food that is ready for the table. Reserve space in a nearby drawer for serving spoons. This is also a good area for your most commonly used dishes, glasses, and flatware. This way one family member can have access to items for the table, while the cook commands another area of the kitchen.
The storage area in your kitchen should have space for materials used to store food: plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and sandwich bags, for example, along with Tupperware and similar storage items.
If space is limited, you can always store items you don’t use too often in another room entirely. A storage cabinet in the dining room is one option. Some people have an extra freezer or a wine storage unit in the garage or basement, like this beautiful
wine storage unit from Gaggenau. The staff at
Atherton Appliance & Kitchens and
BSC Culinary will be happy to discuss a variety of options for storage either in the kitchen or in another area of the house, whether you’re looking for cabinetry or extra appliances. Just stop by one of our showrooms and ask our professional designers for advice about storage and organization.
If you spend a little time organizing your kitchen, you’ll appreciate the results of your effort. An organized kitchen leads to a happy cook, and smooth going at mealtimes.
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story