Do you feel like you grab take out more than you would like? Is it because getting things out of the kitchen cabinets seems a little scary at times? If preparing and eating more meals at home, saving a little money, and perhaps even enjoying a healthier diet are changes you want to make, it’s time to assess your kitchen. Did you know an organized kitchen will actually help support your goal for an improved diet and can provide a satisfying kitchen experience? The key to setting yourself up for success is creating simple, organized kitchen systems that work for you, your family, and your routines and schedules. Take into consideration your work schedule, the kids’ sports and extra curricular activites and those busy weeknights when you know your energy will be depleted by the time you walk in the door. Best part? You don’t have to dedicate your whole Sunday to meal prep!
5 Kitchen Systems That Work For You
Reduce Visual Clutter
When an area is too busy with too much stuff, it feels overwhelming and accomplishing anything in the space feels stressful. This leads to decision fatigue and mental overload. As you work to create improved systems in your kitchen, you will want to give your items room to breathe. Keep your coutertops clear, avoid overstuffing shelves, and leave space between items. Utlilize those harder to reach high and low shelves in your pantry and kitchen cabinets to store items that you need but aren’t used as often.
Organize By Category & Use
We love having like items together, but where you place those items matters too. Start with organizing by category, then organize by how and where you use things. Keep your spices, cooking oils and cooking utensils near the stove. Group your pantry items that are used for meal prep together and within easy reach. Apply that same concept to breakfast items and snacks, together and easy to grab. Keep your on hand supply to a minimum. Variety is the spice of life, but sometimes having too many choices really isn’t helpful and leads to wasting food and money.
Weeknight Wins
A supportive kitchen meets you where you are; and sometimes that’s exhausted, right? Create a space in your pantry, kitchen cabinet and fridge for quick meal options for those evenings when time is limited and energy is low. Have a space for easy proteins, simple sides and pantry staples that allow you to put together a quick, family approved meal. You want items that require minimal decisions on what to make, along with minimal prep and clean up.
Space to Catch All
Life is busy and messy and pretending we can have a perfect, organized kitchen is not always a reality. To offset the clutter, and keep it off your countertops, give it a home. Add a bin for daily mail and school papers. Have a drawer dedicated to those random, but needed, tools, pens and other items. Giving everything a place to live creates order that you can maintain.
Designed to Last
This is a big one! As you work to create systems in your kitchen that work better for you, consider the long term. The goal is to create systems that can be easily maintained by everyone in your household. This includes both the prep and clean up that goes along with mealtime. Share the love and the responsibilities, right? Use open front bins, labels and flexible storage options to keep your system simple and sustainable.
These systems will help you create a successful kitchen that will function beautifully for you and your family!
If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help!
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