Purge, Then Organize Your Kitchen

It happens to the best of us; for years, we collect pots, pans, bowls, cutlery, and other kitchen items, and before we know it, our kitchens have become cluttered and confused. Diving head first into cabinets stuffed with old pots, we wonder if our kitchen will ever be organized and efficient again.

You can ban clutter from your kitchen, and re-create a great space for cooking. But it takes time and determination, so set aside at least one afternoon to de-clutter cabinets and drawers, and another to install some space-saving organizers before you put everything back again.

Ready to de-clutter? Follow these steps:

• Line up some boxes: Line up some empty cardboard boxes, and label them with the word “Donation.”
• Ready the garbage bags: Have a couple of heavy trash bags on hand.
• Empty out the cabinets: Take the time to remove all of the dishes, pots, pans, cups, and other items stored in your kitchen cabinets. Organize them in piles of similar objects (sauce pans in one area, bowls in another, dishes stacked together, etc.).
• Get rid of duplicates: If you have duplicate items that you don’t need, such as two equivalent pots that you never use at the same time, or two food processors, put one of each item into a “Donation” box.
• Say good-bye to kitchen tools you never use: They have to go – the coffee grinder that hasn’t seen fresh beans in five years, the slow cooker you tried once and never used again – someone might be happy for a chance to claim these items, but in your kitchen, they’re just taking up space.
• Throw out broken or overused items, unless they can be donated: If you have a non-stick pan with a scratched, damaged lining, or a blender with a crack in the housing, it’s time to put them in the trash, or recycle them if possible. Check with Goodwill Industries to determine if they can fix and resell broken appliances.
• Empty the drawers and clear off the counters: The same principle applies for counters and drawers; pile like items together, donate duplicates and usable things you don’t need, and throw out anything that’s broken and can’t be fixed (if you store receipts and other papers in kitchen drawers, throw out or shred anything you no longer need, and file the rest in a filing cabinet).

Now that your cabinets and drawers are empty, and you’re left with only the kitchen items you use and need, consider space-saving design tips before you re-stock. Mounting your microwave oven under the cabinets, for example, will save space on the countertop. Small items such as cooking caddies, available in most kitchen stores, will keep salt, pepper, and oils organized. At Atherton Appliance & Kitchens, we work with premium cabinet companies that offer space-saving accessories and storage solutions, such as the wire pull-out rack and double cutlery divider from Dura Supreme Cabinetry. We’d be happy to talk with you about possibilities that will match the space and décor in your kitchen.

When your donation boxes are loaded into the car, your garbage bags are waiting for pick-up, and your space-saving accessories have been put into place, it’s time to re-stock your kitchen. A good rule of thumb is to store items you rarely use in harder-to-reach places, such as upper shelves inside cabinets and lower-level drawers. Place items you use more often in spots that are easier to access, and kitchen tools you use daily within easy reach. Use logic when considering where to place things; store items for baking near the oven, cooking tools near the cook top, and serving items within easy reach of the dining area. Recycling bins should also be easily accessible so it’s convenient to do your part for the planet.

Now sit back and enjoy the results of your hard work! But remember, the temptation to re-clutter can be strong. Before you buy the next great kitchen gadget, ask yourself if you really need it. When you purchase a new pot or pan, donate the old one if it’s still usable, or toss it out if it’s not. If your friend gives you sake cups for the holidays and you have no interest in ever drinking sake, thank the giver graciously, and find someone who likes sake. Then, when that friend wants to join you for drinks, go out.