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From a studio apartment to a large extended family home, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Even the most modern, beautiful kitchen is ineffective if not properly organised. For a fully functioning kitchen, follow these organising essentials:
Ensure your kitchen holds only what you need. If unsure of what you need, pack all bar the absolute essentials into a box. As you need things, reclaim them from the box. Whatever’s left in the box after six weeks – has to go! Group like items and house them together. For example; keep microwave containers in a cupboard near the microwave. Keep all baking trays together. In spatially challenged kitchens keep them in the oven. Create more space by stacking things vertically. Use mobile plate racks to create extra vertical shelving. Commit to uncluttered benchtops. If you must keep things there, make sure they’re kitchen items only and things you use daily. A clear counter means a clear mind!
Hot Tips
Use a lazy suzanne in cupboards that are below knee height, very deep or otherwise difficult to access. Perfect for corner cupboards.
Tame under your sink with mobile drawers. Using them to house cleaning items ensures easy access. Double storey drawers save even more space.
Avoid duplicate purches by keeping jars and bottles in rows in the pantry. This guarantees easy access, saving you time, space & money.
Containerise everything – from spices in the pantry to cooking utensils in the drawer Using appropriate containers prevents overflow and limits collection!
Install sliding shelves in low cupboards. Makes access super easy.
If lacking the luxury of an entire drawer for saucepan lids, house them in a rack down the side of the saucepan cupboard. Create a ‘master list’ of supplies you use regularly. Leave space to add extra items. Keep the list handy and add to it as you run out of stocks. Don’t forget to take the list shopping with you!
Attach a “lid saver” to the inside of a low cupboard door. Keep all your plastic container lids here and never be without the proper lid again!
FACT Kitchen organisation is not about being neat and tidy or color coding the spices! It’s about:
accessing any item within seconds
healthy eating
minimum wastage
efficient use of space
manageable workloads
more time for you & your family
Published in Cairns Post HOME LiftOut 12 April, 2008
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