Kitchens contain a lot of stuff, most of which is needed to prepare or provide us nourishment every day. The challenge is not only to organize it in a practical, beautiful way but to establish an organizing system that makes sense and sticks long-term...for everyone you live with.
To do this, you need to look beyond the stuff. The process of organizing and designing your space well starts with YOU. So before emptying drawers or investing in a trendy solution, let's clarify a couple of big-picture items by answering the following questions:
what’s your kitchen flow?
Walking into your kitchen for the first time is like walking into your first day of school. You’ve brought all the supplies you need for the new environment. You’re not sure where to do or put things yet, but since you’ll be back every day, you’re keen to explore and learn.
With time you and your kitchen will be in a groove. You will have designated zones for each activity, from food prep and cooking to food storage and eating. As you move or flow through these zones, ask yourself, “Is this kitchen flow working or can it be improved?” If things aren’t flowing, identify the specific obstacles. Are everyday use cooking utensils in close proximity to the cooking zone? Are food prep tools easy to find and put away? Is storing leftovers simple or are you constantly looking for a missing lid? Do daily tasks happen smoothly or feel like a lot of effort?
If you experience any of this or something similar, you’re not alone. The kitchen is a complex space to organize with so many moving parts and actions to consider. It’s often also where we feel most at home, which brings us to the next question…
how do you want your kitchen to feel?
Calm and clean are my two goals, and I would bet many of you agree. Organization is key to achieving both. When your kitchen is in order, your eyes and brain can rest so you physiologically feel at ease and relaxed. An organized kitchen also means everything in it has a place, which makes half of the kitchen clean-up (returning items to their home) quick and the rest (washing dishes, wiping surfaces) much easier to do.
Once your kitchen feels good functionally, think about its style. Do you love how it looks? Does it feel like your space? You’re in your kitchen every day and you deserve to enjoy not dread that time. This is particularly important if you’re a renter or have a dated kitchen with no budget to renovate. Making your kitchen look good can be as simple as hanging greenery or a piece of art. Use textiles, like tea towels or oven mitts, to sprinkle in your favorite color. A runner in place of a mat really elevates the entire kitchen aesthetic.
When you’re clear on the flow and feel of your desired kitchen, you are better able to see where the essential culinary tools and ingredients can live so what you need is as close to where you will use it as possible. This awareness also opens you up to possibilities. Use what you have—drawers, cabinets, shelving, countertop, island, etc.—to experiment. Just because you set up your kitchen one way doesn’t mean it’s the only way. Let trial and error be your friend, and take a chance on trying things out in new and unexpected ways until you find what flows well, looks good, and feels right.
Starting your kitchen organizing journey with these big-picture prompts makes you conscious of how you and your space actually work together. This awareness not only helps you resolve current kitchen problems but also gives you a baseline to quickly reclaim your space later as real life unfolds.
what’s your biggest kitchen organizing struggle?
There can be many points of pain in the kitchen but I’m curious to know how many of you rate the REFRIGERATOR as your ultimate challenge. Comment below or DM me on Instagram!
Always,
Commenti