Kathi’s expert advice has been featured in national media outlets including Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes and Gardens, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. As the author of 2 books, Kathi has also developed several online courses to help clients get better organized and energized in all areas of their home, life, and business.
Check out all of the systems you can use here

Kathi’s expert advice has been featured in national media outlets including Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes and Gardens, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. 

As the author of 2 books, Kathi has also developed several online courses to help clients get better organized and energized in all areas of their home, life, and business.
Check out more systems you can use here

Kathi’s expert advice has been featured in national media outlets including Oprah Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes and Gardens, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. 

As the author of 2 books, Kathi has also developed several online courses to help clients get better organized and energized in all areas of their home, life, and business.
Check out all of the systems you can use here

Today, kitchens are the focal point of many homes and account for a fair percentage of the total square footage in any new home. Planning a kitchen for optimal workflow will enable you to get the most out of your space. What you do most in your kitchen will determine the focus, but there are a few basic principles you will want to consider.

Food storage is your first consideration. The pantry should be located near the entrance you will be using to bring groceries into the kitchen. The refrigerator should also be on this end, and a wide counter for unloading bags and sorting out perishables from dry foods is preferable. Cabinets above or below this counter can hold various containers, storage bags and labeling supplies. Be sure to move older foodstuffs to the front and use a first in, first out system to avoid spoilage.

A prep area is paramount in any kitchen where you plan to cook frequently. An island is a perfect solution if you have the space; it can centralize your kitchen and provide a smooth flow from refrigerator or pantry to prep, and thence to the oven or stove. Traditionally, one side of the island will face your cooking area and the other can hold a small sink. A hinged butcher block on one end provides extra workspace, and folds away after use. Cabinet space below can hold mixing bowls and baking sheets, and a knife rack can be built into the surface for easy access.

Your cooking area should be surrounded by storage for your pots and pans; consider deep drawers to avoid stooping and reaching into recesses to find your cookware. A few shallow drawers with dividers can hold your utensils, and a spoon rest by the stovetop is a must have to avoid drips. Hooks can keep your potholders and oven mitts within easy reach. Serving platters and bowls can go in the upper cabinets.

You need a well organized cleaning zone. This area will preferably be located by the entrance to your dining area. Counter space should be available on both sides of the sink, which hopefully will be a double with a garbage disposal on one side for scraps. A dishwasher is a nice luxury, and can be connected to your disposal to avoid clogging. All cleaning products can be kept below the sink to avoid clutter, but make sure it locks if you have small children in the house.

Finally, if the kitchen is the central hub for your family, plan on a drop zone just inside or outside the door where they can leave their items as they come in. Hooks for backpacks, a bin for shoes and a shelf for other items can keep your kitchen from being overrun. Encourage your family to join you in food preparation and enjoy their company. By making your kitchen spacious and easy to use, you will ensure many hours of pleasure in the years to come!

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  1. My kitchen is probably 10×10. I rent 2 rooms in my home, so there are 3 of us. Total open work space is probably 8 square feet. As it is, I keep some groceries in my bedroom. I freak out every time I see one of my renters coming home with 8 bags of groceries. Everything is packed. I probably need to tell this one guy in particular to cut back. Any tips are appreciated.

    1. Perhaps everyone in your household could pool their resources, Sharing condiments and staples might help with your small space issue. Maybe you could also take turns preparing meals, which, again, would save space and eliminate duplicate items that might clutter the kitchen. For those in your houshold who don’t cook, they could still be responsible for their assigned meal by bringing in take-out or prepared foods.

      Whether you all eat on the same schedule or not, this makes sense for optimizing a small space and small resources. As long as the food is there, folks can eat it at night as their schedule permits. It might also help you build a sense of community in your home. Food often brings people together.

  2. My kitchen is probably 10×10. I rent 2 rooms in my home, so there are 3 of us. Total open work space is probably 8 square feet. As it is, I keep some groceries in my bedroom. I freak out every time I see one of my renters coming home with 8 bags of groceries. Everything is packed. I probably need to tell this one guy in particular to cut back. Any tips are appreciated.

    1. Perhaps everyone in your household could pool their resources, Sharing condiments and staples might help with your small space issue. Maybe you could also take turns preparing meals, which, again, would save space and eliminate duplicate items that might clutter the kitchen. For those in your houshold who don’t cook, they could still be responsible for their assigned meal by bringing in take-out or prepared foods.

      Whether you all eat on the same schedule or not, this makes sense for optimizing a small space and small resources. As long as the food is there, folks can eat it at night as their schedule permits. It might also help you build a sense of community in your home. Food often brings people together.

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