De-Cluttering Your Kitchen!

One of the biggest interior design related complaints that I hear from people is that their kitchen counter tops are chaotic. Too often, we rely on our gorgeous stone surfaces to act as a landing place for items we don’t know what to do with. Maybe your counter tops look more like an appliance garage instead of a convenient place to prepare your meals? I’m going to give you some tips on how to minimize the clutter and maximize efficiency in your kitchen. After all, the kitchen has been said to be the new living room in the sense that it is where everyone loves to gather – it should showcase not only your culinary abilities, but your design skills as well.

Naturally, the first thing I’m going to talk about is organization. It is literally ALWAYS the first step of good design. You will be amazed at how cupboards and drawers that are bursting with items can easily be turned into accessible places with room to spare. Storage boxes and bins will be your new best friend when it comes to organization. Take your pantry for example (or cupboards that store your dry goods) – organize your items into categories. For example, bread items can be a category or baking items, paper goods and so on – whatever makes sense to you. Get numerous bins, such as these milk crates from Target and use them to store each category of items. Label that bin with a stick-on label (chalk board labels work great) and you’re good to go! It is easier to store away square containers than it is individual odd shaped items, I promise you’ll save space! There are so many options of bins in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes and even prices.

Now that we’ve opened up some room in our areas that are not in plain view of the public eye, we can focus on the areas that our guests do see…like our counter tops. The next step is to minimize items – what do you really need here? Are you sure you’re using that blender or crock pot enough to justify it taking up space on your counter? Whatever appliances you are not using daily, or even 3-4 times a week, it’s time to put it away. Yes, it can be a nuisance to get it out when you need it, but is that really more irritating than looking at it every day and taking up precious counter space? Take the time to really focus on what you do use and what you don’t. One item that you may not know about that can really clear up some room is a wall mounted paper towel holder that you can mount under your cabinetry, like this one from Bed Bath & Beyond. Have a knife block taking up space? Check out a wall mounted magnetic knife rack! Not only do these save you space, but they are easier to keep clean and make you look like a professional chef.

If you’re anything like me, you have enough coffee and coffee gadgets to start your own brew house and yes – you use it every single day. Something to think about is creating a coffee station! Do you have a buffet near your kitchen that you can convert the top into a station for all of your caffeinated needs? If not, maybe there is a space nearby that could host a cute console table that could act as your coffee station. If you get a console table with drawers, you can even store away all of your different filters, sweeteners and add-ins. How convenient to have it all in one place! Plus, every time you use it, you’ll feel like you’re at a fancy get-a-away spot.

Let’s talk about the items that should be left out on your counters. We all use spatulas, spoons and the like and it’s important to have them in reach. Get yourself a crock and filter out the ones that you want displayed. I personally have all of my wooden spoons and stainless steel tools in my crock, while my brightly colored, mismatched spatulas are stored away in a drawer.

Next, get yourself a fruit bowl to place fruits and veggies in. Not only does this make you look like you know what you’re up to in a kitchen, but it promotes the idea that eating these items is good for you! Most people are more likely to eat a piece of fruit if it’s in their face and they don’t have to search for it.

Along the same lines as the produce bowl, try leaving out your herbs – depending on the herb of course. For example, cilantro doesn’t stay well if not refrigerated. But Basil or Parsley thrives when it’s left out on your counter in a vase with some water. Keep your fresh herbs longer and it will remind you to use them in your everyday cooking! If you really have a green thumb, you can plant these herbs so they will continue to grow even after you’ve used some. Live plants in a kitchen can’t help but give off a healthy vibe! It’s even more of a bonus if they can bring your dish to the next level!

Lastly, think about the storage containers that you’re using for some of your displayed items. Feel the need to leave out your sugar and flour? Get coordinating containers for them, maybe a metal scoop if you’re feeling fancy and stick a cute label on the outside so you know what it is! I personally like the clear jars with wide lids so I can easily reach in to get what I need. Clear items tend to take up less space visually as well. Salt and pepper still coming out of the store bought containers? Invest in a pepper mill and shaker and turn your kitchen into a space suited for a chef!

When your kitchen feels like a space that you want to be in, you will be amazed at how willing you are to spend more time in it and try new things!