Kitchen
Organization
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1.27.05
Organizing
Kitchen
Dear Kathi,
I would like some tips on organizing my kitchen. I’ve just moved
in and am basically starting with a clean slate. I can put my items
anywhere you feel it makes sense. Are their any common guidelines
I can use to decide where to store my spices and kitchen gadgets?
James, San Diego
James,
Congratulations on your new space! You are really smart to plan where
you will store things before you begin unpacking your kitchen items.
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines the word "organize"
as follows: To form into a coherent unity or functioning whole; to
arrange by systematic planning and united effort. This sounds exactly
like your intention!
Define the space you will use for each major kitchen task: Prep, Cook,
and Cleanup. Assess the storage space available in and surrounding
each area. The ideal kitchen will have enough cabinets and/or counter
area to house the tools required for each task.
Position the spices/oils, pots/pans, and other cooking tools (spatulas,
hotpads, etc) in the Cook Zone. You can find stacked Lazy Susans built
specifically for spices that really optimize your cabinet space and
keep spices within easy reach.
The Prep Zone, ideally located by the sink, should contain cutting
boards, knives, vegetable scrubbers/ peelers, spatulas, spoons and
mixing bowls. If counter space is an issue in this zone, donate your
knife block and install a large magnet strip on the backboard above
the cutting board.
The Cleanup Zone is fairly self-explanatory. It encompasses the sink
and dishwasher as well as the garbage container. The Prep and Clean
Zones are generally adjacent to each other and share the use of the
sink and garbage.
If you have the option, your main Prep Zone should be on the side
of the sink closest to your stove and oven with your Clean Zone on
the side of the sink area that is directly above the dishwasher and
away from the Cook Zone.
Dishes should be housed above the Clean Zone. Serving platters and
bowls can be housed above the Prep Zone.
If possible, also create a breakfast area in your kitchen that contains
the toaster, coffee/tea pots and mugs, honey, jams, fruit basket and
assorted cereals.
The ultimate pantry will be located by or near the kitchen entrance.
Your pantry can also be organized into different zones. Separate snacks,
meals, beverages, condiments, paper goods, etc into their own spaces.
Stacked/tiered shelves work well for storing canned goods and extra
condiments. Plastic or rubber covered wire shelves can now be found
in almost every superstore.
When purchasing storage containers always buy square or rectangular
shapes. They typically hold more volume and take up less space than
their round counterparts. They stack neatly and store flush against
each other.
Store extra tea bags, spice mixes, and baking packets in their own
baskets or boxes without lids. Your packets will be neatly contained
and easily accessed.
Consider the vertical space available between each shelf, in every
cabinet. Typically, there is a major amount of unused space within
each cabinet. Riser racks will double your square footage. Top shelves
and coffee cup shelves usually benefit greatly with these riser shelves.
If you are lucky enough to have deep drawers in your kitchen, you
have a marvelous space to store your plastic containers. Your containers
will stay neat in a deep drawer and won’t fall out when you
try to access them. Consider it serendipitous if this drawer also
happens to be located in your Prep Zone!
If you have a second deep drawer, consider placing your pots, pans
and lids in this one. If you are using a hanging rack for your cookware,
store your lids in a drawer by the stove.
You have a clean slate, so enjoy your new creative ideas and have
fun getting settled.
Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner
based in San Diego California.
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
San Diego Professional Organizer
