| As the saying goes, the kitchen is the heart of | | | | (3) Divide and conquer. |
| the home. But your kitchen can also be the heap | | | | Think about how you use your kitchen when |
| of the home if you let clutter pile up! | | | | you're making dinner. Separate your kitchen into |
| Here are 5 easy, low-cost ways to organize your | | | | distinct quadrants based on your kitchen habits (i.e. |
| kitchen now: | | | | cooking, preparing, cleaning, storing) and then |
| (1) Edit your counter space. | | | | organize utensils accordingly. |
| It's so easy to put most of your appliances on | | | | (4) Think outside-the-box...or in this case, outside |
| the counter top. It's totally understandable - you | | | | the kitchen. |
| get quick access whenever you need something. | | | | The kitchen is a high-traffic area, and often times, |
| The problem? Most of us are true conformists to | | | | stuff will find its way into the vicinity. Designate a |
| the 80/20 rule; 80% of what we keep, we never | | | | bin or basket for items that should not be in the |
| use. And that includes 80% of what's on your | | | | kitchen. At the end of each day, have an assigned |
| counter! | | | | family member fill the container with the |
| So look at what's on top of your counters and | | | | non-kitchen items and carry them back to the |
| ask yourself...does this really need to be in my | | | | room where they belong. |
| kitchen? If not, then it probably doesn't really | | | | In addition, bulk foods purchases and items like |
| need to be in your house at all. | | | | china - which are used sparingly or only a few |
| (2) Out with the old to make room for the new. | | | | times a year - can be stored elsewhere in your |
| You wouldn't really eat stale crackers, would you? | | | | home to free up more space in the kitchen. |
| Then why are they in your kitchen? Get them - | | | | (5) Turn your paper piling into paper filing. |
| and all other expired or outdated foods - out of | | | | I don't know about you, but mail and other |
| your cabinets, pantries, fridges, and freezers. | | | | paperwork seem to multiply and take over my |
| Of course, food isn't the only thing that might | | | | counter if I don't take care of it immediately! One |
| have worn out its welcome. Donate any | | | | solution: hang large envelopes and label one per |
| cookbooks or kitchen gadgets that haven't been | | | | family member. Use these containers to distribute |
| used in 1-2 years or more. Scrutinize any freebies | | | | papers, mail, messages, etc. Another idea? Store |
| you've nabbed recently, like sports squeeze | | | | take-out menus in a file folder and tuck the folder |
| bottles and koozies. Truth be told, you didn't really | | | | away in a drawer near the phone or inside the |
| need them in the first place, and you likely don't | | | | phone book. |
| really need them now. | | | | |