Do you find yourself spending lots of unnecessary time hunting for those utensils that you need amidst all of those unused gadgets that are crowding your kitchen drawers? Are your countertops filled with appliances, jars, and kitchenware?
It can be tempting to keep collecting lots of different items to help make food prep easier, better, more stylish…fill in the blank. And you are left with a kitchen that on good days can look like a bomb shelter.
However, the clearer and less cluttered your kitchen, the calmer you will be, the easier it will be to prepare food, and the more time you will save.
Here are some suggestions for cutting out the clutter and turning your kitchen into a peaceful haven of minimalism where everything has its place.
Only keep cookware and dishes that you use
Sell or donate those ‘in case of a rainy day’ pieces that have been gathering dust. Keep a few select pieces that you use all the time and that are multifunctional. It’s a bonus if they last a lifetime. Keep a few attractive cast-iron pieces like this Uno Casa pot rather than piles of pots and pans that won’t stand the test of time.
Put any pieces that you want to keep but that you infrequently use in cupboards or storage. That turkey roaster doesn’t need to be in pride of place on the kitchen counter if it only gets used twice a year!
Check for duplicates
Look at the items in your kitchen and see if you have more than one appliance that does the same job. For example, do you really need two different hand mixers? Isn’t one multi-sided cheese grater enough rather than three different models? How many kinds of large spoons and spatulas do you need? You get the idea.
This is particularly applicable to Tupperware and other plastic containers. How many of us collect all different shapes and sizes of plastic containers, when actually we only need a few of each? Simplify your life and sort them out, keeping a few small, medium, and large containers with the right lids. You can then get rid of the rest!
If you haven’t used it, you don’t need it
You may have small appliances or other items hanging around, taking up space that you never use or rarely do. We can all get tempted to buy the latest gadget or pretty pot or jar, only to shove it into a cupboard or drawer a few days later.
If you’ve had it for 6 months and haven’t used it, you’re unlikely to need it in the next 6 months, so consider donating it or selling it.
If you find it hard to get rid of these items, consider donating them to a friend. That way, if you are overcome with remorse a few days later, you can always go and get it back. Hopefully, though, you’ll be so pleased with your new spacious kitchen that you won’t even be tempted!
Clear your countertops
Clear countertops are the first and most visible sign of a clean space. Eliminate as much clutter as you can from your countertops. You can use baskets to organize miscellaneous items such as letters, or better yet, hang some pockets over the back of a door to keep small things within easy reach but out of the way.
Take a look at which appliances can go inside of cupboards. The toaster or juicer might not always have to be out on the counter.
If you have cookbooks on your countertop, consider putting up a shelf for them. The same for glasses, mugs, and other items – put up wall hooks or under-shelf railings.
Clear out food items regularly
Go through your food items regularly and get rid of anything you don’t need. There may be items in the refrigerator that are way out of date and are taking up room, making it hard to find what you need when you need it.
Clear your cupboards as well so that you can find what you need without having to hunt through lots of different boxes.
Clean as you go
When making food, or straight after a meal, make sure your kitchen is neat and tidy. It’s easier to clean as you go – or to clean up once a day – rather than have to clean piles of dishes and debris all in one go.
You’ll then be able to enjoy the feeling of coming down to a clean kitchen to start your day.
