Reclaiming Your Space – Organizing Series: Tackling The Kitchen and Pantry

The first room we are going to chat about in the Reclaiming Your Space organizing series is the kitchen.  I am finally at the point where I feel like mine is under control, but I have the advantage of having just done renovations.  The issues I had in the kitchen before is one of the reasons we had to do something about it!

Along the way I did learn a few tricks (Pinterest helped me too!) and I’m going to share those, plus the ones Heather from Smart Space Organizing has passed long.

I’m still working on organizing a few things.  The pantry is on my to-do list this month (and I’ll chat about that further down) but I’m getting there.

Where do we begin in kitchen?

For me, I had to organize because I had to get everything out for demos.  This meant purging.  I find the kitchen was always difficult to purge because it was overwhelming, or I felt like it could wait, or that I might need it.

To start, set up three boxes to start: one to keep, one to giveaway, one to put in the garbage/recycling.  Then, start cupboard by cupboard and sort.  How many square 8×8 pans do you need? Likely not four.  Start removing items critically. Having less stuff will help free up some space.

Before my new pantry, I had a dark abyss of a cupboard where food would be stored. It was small, and awkwardly located.  So I didn’t realize that I had 8 boxes of spaghetti in the back.  Having a better pantry space, no matter how big or small, makes our lives easier (and grocery shopping makes more sense!).

Heather’s Tip: Create a lunch shelf in the fridge/snack shelf in the pantry where the younger ones can help make their lunches or get their own snack.

I went to Ikea to buy to clear glass jars for my pantry and plan on putting my dry goods in there.  I am really excited about this.  Plus, Mabel’s Labels just launched new Household Labels* to use on my spices and dry items like flour and rice.  This is far too exciting.  When I get this project done, I will definitely share.  But here is my before!

Here are a few inspirational pins too:

1- I love the clear jars and the baskets. I need to get some baskets, especially for bread!

 

Heather’s Tip: Create zones in your kitchen.  Areas that are designated for the pantry, food items, cleaning items etc.

When we planned out the new kitchen, I had zones figured out in my head. Pantry, where my dishes would be, where the glasses would go, and of course, I planned a coffee area.

Heather’s Tip: Ensure there is a recycling basket in the kitchen, otherwise, it will end up on the counter.

I was notorious for leaving recycling on the counter.  I had a great compost bin, but it rested on the counter too.  We had barely enough space under the sink area to put the garbage can and it often ended up out.  We made sure to install a garbage/recycling area in the island near the sink.  We also added a drawer that tucks under the sink to hide the sponges etc.

But renovations don’t have to happen to do a few of these changes:

• recycle/garbage bins can be purchased at home stores and installed on most cupboards
• If you don’t have a pantry, you can buy free standing pantries or create them with shelving systems.
• Glass jars and baskets can be found at a variety of stores.  Organizing some dry goods and your spices will make the insides of cupboards neater!
• As Heather mentioned, make stations and zones in the kitchen.  Take stock of where everything currently is.  Does it make sense?
• You can buy shelf dividers and stackers at stores to make each cupboard even more functional.

Have questions about how to maximize an area in your kitchen or a tip that you find has really been keeping your kitchen organized?  Share away in the comments!

Looking for more of Heather’s tips? Check out the Smart Space Organizing blog, or follow her Facebook Page where she shares more!

*this is an affiliate link.  If you purchase the labels through that link, I will be rewarded with coffee money.  So thank you! 😉