1. WORK OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM AREAS ARE
Attempting to tackle a full kitchen all at once can be pretty daunting, so start by looking around and working out where your problem areas are. Are the countertops full of gadgets you rarely use? Are you struggling to close kitchen drawers packed with utensils, or organize a pantry overflowing with food? Work through problem areas one by one, starting with the ones that bother you most.
2. DONATE ITEMS YOU DON’T USE
Broken or damaged items are easy, but we all struggle to part with things that we think ‘could’ be useful, but this ‘just in case’ attitude is a surefire route to a cluttered kitchen. If you can’t remember the last time you used something, it’s probably time to pass it on, regardless of how much you spent on it, or how ‘new’ it is.
3. ASSESS YOUR APPLIANCES
Big, bulky, and renowned space invaders, appliances actually count for a lot of the ‘stuff’ we have in our kitchens. Unless they’re ones you use daily – such as a coffee machine or juicer – they really don’t deserve to be there. Work through them all, one by one, and first consider whether they’re worth hanging on to.
4. KEEP FOOD IN CHECK
You’ll be amazed at the amount of food you’re storing in your kitchen. Often-neglected areas, such as organizing spices or deep pantry shelves are usually key culprits, but we can guarantee there are a few dodgy salad dressings, or frozen meals in your fridge freezer, too. Whether you’re organizing a small kitchen or not, food storage should be at a premium, so it’s worth taking a stock check. Now, and on a regular basis going forward, too.
5. BE SENSIBLE WITH WHERE YOU STORE THINGS
Decluttering a small kitchen can be particularly tricky; if you’re working with small kitchen storage ideas, chances are you might still be left struggling for space, however thorough you are. Rather than try to cram everything into the cooking zone, consider prioritizing space only to your most frequently used items.
6. ENLIST ORGANIZATIONAL ‘HELPERS’ TO MAXIMIZE SPACE
Perhaps it’s not the amount of ‘stuff’ in your kitchen that’s the problem, perhaps it’s how you’re storing it. Investing in the right kitchen organizers can make all the difference in kitchen storage ideas that are prone to overflow. If you’re planning a new kitchen layout, consider going bespoke when organizing kitchen drawers and cabinets, or invest in less permanent options, such as Lazy Susans, slide-out racks for organizing pots and pans, or stacked risers.
7. STEER CLEAR OF COUNTERTOP CLUTTER
Countertops attract all kinds of paraphernalia that really doesn’t need to live in your kitchen – mail, vitamins, study books and spare change… let it build, and you’re quickly going to run out of room. When it comes to organizing kitchen countertops, there are a few quick fixes that can make all the difference, but you’ll first want to get comfortable with how to declutter countertops effectively – and how to keep them that way.
8. MAKE USE OF PORTABLE STORAGE SPACE
If you’re sure you’re not stashing more than you need to yet you’re still short on space, it might be worth considering more flexible kitchen storage options.
‘Portable furniture is a helpful way to enjoy extra countertop or storage space as and when it’s needed. A butcher’s trolley, for example, can be brought in for busy times, such as entertaining, then moved out of the way when more floor space is required,' says George Forsyth
9. USE BASKETS TO CATEGORIZE ITEMS
While savvy organizers are undeniably useful, the humble basket (or container) is actually your best bet for corralling items into categories – particularly if you’ve got a lot of them. Baking equipment in one, table linens in another, and so forth.
10. AVOID STOCKPILING
‘Use the full height of your shelves and invest in square-based, stackable canisters for pasta and flour, etc (smaller versions, like these from Amazon, are ideal for organizing spices). That way, you can see what you have, but also not waste any space. Work out how many will fit your cupboards, and always keep in mind when you’re shopping – buy more than will fit, and overspill is inevitable’, says Laura.