Your kitchen is where all the magic happens – or rather where you turn different ingredients into tasty meals and drinks. So, it needs always to be organized for a smooth flow of traffic and optimal performance (in terms of cooking and cleaning). But arranging a small kitchen can sometimes be easier said than done. With so many appliances, equipment, and pantry supply to organize, it can be daunting to keep everything in its place.
If you are having a hard time keeping everything together, or if you are seeking ideas to have your kitchen look amazing, then here are some top tips to help you get started.
Take it all out and purge
Your first step should be to take everything out and start from scratch. Trying to organize the things that you see and leaving the rest will only solve the problem temporarily. Once you have it all out, assess every item and consider whether it’s necessary or not, works or not, or if you love it or not. It will be tough to let some things go, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. If it’s an old blender that breaks down every time, for instance, this might be the right time to throw it out and consider getting a new and stylish blender to match your new space. The same applies to other appliances.
Do a deep clean
With everything out of the way, you want to clean the empty shelves, cabinets, and drawers thoroughly. Wipe down all surfaces, as well as the windows, doors, and walls. Don’t forget to open the windows for ventilation too.
Create and define zones
Before you place the equipment back, consider categorizing your drawers and cabinets into zones – and place your stuff according to the specified zones. You can make the first zone to have things that you use daily, like cups, cutlery, plates, and bowls. It’s better if these items are closest to the dishwasher. The second zone should have chopping boards, pans, pots, mixing bowls, baking items, measuring cups, etc. These are cooking equipment and should be closer to the oven. The third zone can have kitchen appliances, spices, dry goods – and it’s usually the pantry.
Food storage, Tupperware, Ziploc bags, food wraps, and tin foil go in zone four, near the fridge. Bar accessories, glassware, pods, coffee cups, barware, etc. go in the coffee and bar in zone five, while garbage bags, cleaning supplies, recycling, and extra hand soap go under the sink in zone six.
Positioning is key
With a good idea of where each item is going, your next step is to figure out how to best position them for accessibility and functional display. While at it, ensure regularly used items are at eye level. It is also a good idea to pack your pantry items in a compact, but transparent containers that allow you to see the content. This way, you won’t have to rearrange (and possibly open up) everything to find whatever it is you are looking for.
