How To Make Your Kitchen More Functional To Save Time And Money: Part 1

A functional, organized kitchen can go a long way in making your life easier.  If you open a cabinet door to get something you need for food prep only to have things fall on your head, it may be time to get organized!  Your kitchen should be functional to not only save you time but money too!

A Functional Kitchen Countertop

One of the biggest challenges in our house is keeping clutter off the kitchen counter.  We have a decent amount of counter space, which unfortunately becomes a “dumping ground”  for paperwork and other things that are simply not functional in the kitchen.  I do try to process the paperwork as it comes into the house to control the clutter, but sometimes life happens and it doesn’t get done.  In a functional, organized kitchen, the countertop should only house your most used items such as:

• Coffee Maker
• Knife Block
• Canister Set
• Stand Mixer
• Kitchen Utensil Holder (very handy for things used at the stove-top)
• Toaster

The list above is just an example of what you may need.  The things you keep on your own countertop may be different because your kitchen has to be functional for you.  Ideally, the countertop should be kept clear as much as possible for daily food preparation.  Doing so will save you time when prepping and cooking meals, because you won’t be stuck cleaning junk off of it. You will actually have room to work when you start.

Last year, we purchased an Instant Pot, which we use often and really love.  The only downside to that is the counter space it requires.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t fit in our cabinets.   Because of the use it gets, its place on the counter has certainly been well earned, but I don’t like the space it takes up.  In order to make it work, I swapped it out with the toaster, which gets less use and easily fits into most of my cabinetry.

Functional, Organized Kitchen Cabinets

At least twice a year, I like to clean the inside of my cabinetry and drawers (more about drawers in part 2).  First, remove everything from the cabinet.  Then, wipe the inside of the cabinet with mild soapy water.   After that, dry completely using a microfiber towel and letting the cabinet air dry.  Before you put things back in the cabinet, look at the contents you have removed.  Do you have a use for everything?   If you find something that you don’t use or didn’t remember you had, get rid of it.  Finally, place the useful items back into the cabinet.  Your functional and organized kitchen is making a comeback!

The pictures below are the cabinets in my actual kitchen.  These three cabinets are an example of what is organized and what needs some work.

Plastic food storage containers are probably the worst thing to store in the kitchen.  There is no good way to keep them in place.  Ever.  No matter what I buy!  You can see the mess in photo three above.  I almost didn’t post this photo because it’s embarrassing.   But, since it’s relevant, here it is.  And this cabinet is the one I am referring to about things falling on my head!!

While I would much prefer to replace all of the plastic with glass containers, I haven’t been able to because of the weight of the glass.  My cabinet storage system would need to be completely reconfigured for that to work.  When I have the time to reorganize absolutely everything in my cabinets, I will revisit that option.

Kitchen Organization:  A Closer Look

• Take the time to thoroughly clean your kitchen.
• In the first picture, Dishes, you can see all of the tableware we use on a daily basis.  These are easily accessible inside cabinetry located beside our kitchen table.  The top shelf accommodates serving dishes that are used less frequently.
• The Display Cabinet, pictured in photo two, houses more serving dishes and specialty dishes.  Since that cabinet has a glass door, I use it to display the fun ceramic components I own but don’t use as often.
• Photo three, Cabinet To Organize, shows a mess.  I am constantly rearranging the items in this cabinet.  I recently purchased “nesting” plastic containers to try to help this situation.  I love the space saving nesting mixing bowls (bottom shelf).  The top shelf features my old-fashioned glassware and dessert dishes.  Again, I don’t use those too often, but the pieces are easily accessible when I need them.

• There are many storage options made for the inside of cabinetry.  I used simple wire shelving that is inexpensive but would recommend something sturdier for heavier items.
• The options available for cabinet storage are limitless.  There are many things on the market today with great space-saving design in mind.  I haven’t always had a kitchen with ample storage, so I had to get creative and search out products.  One of my favorites is the Rev-A-Shelf storage that turns the “false drawer” on the sink base cabinet into valuable storage.  Check it out!

Top 5 Reasons You Will Save Time AND Money

1. You save time in an organized kitchen, because you know exactly where everything is located (unless your teenagers are unloading the dishwasher…then all bets are off).
2. When you have a clean area to start a task, whether it’s baking cookies or making dinner, you save a ton of time.
3. Grouping similar items together and keeping them easily accessible saves so much time!  Nesting measuring cups and spoons are fantastic because they are always together.
4. Knowing the contents of your cabinets, drawers, and pantry will save you money.  If you think you need a whisk because you can’t find one and then go purchase one (a surefire way to find anything missing), you are wasting money.
5. Ever go to the grocery store without a list or without taking inventory first?  I have!  You are likely buying things that aren’t needed.  Will you use the food eventually?  Probably.  But the money could have been used on something else now that you did need.

In conclusion, a functional, organized kitchen will save you time and money.  Please contact us with your ideas, questions, and comments.  Don’t forget to stay tuned for “How To Make Your Kitchen More Functional To Save Time And Money: Part 2″ later this week.

Until next time,

April

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