10 kitchen organization mistakes to avoid: expert advice

Are you constantly placing pots, pans and appliances in random new places? The time has come to assign each element its own permanent home. “It may seem easier to store scissors in a random drawer, but you risk forgetting where they are,” says space organizer Tamara Prager. “When we know where everything is, cooking becomes a much quicker and more enjoyable experience. » Additionally, when you distribute the dishes and gadgets, you may find that the lack of countertop in the kitchen is no longer a problem and that there is now enough space for everything, even in a small room.

Do you have two immersion blenders: one is a new one that was recently gifted, the other is an old and trusty one? Are you hesitant to throw away a pan with a scratched non-stick coating, even if you have already bought another one to replace it? Prager believes that storing duplicates leads to inefficient use of space and it’s time to think about what to part ways with.

“If you use two graters, one for cheese and one for potatoes, leave them both on. But if you find that you have four identical items, three of which are unused, then it makes sense to give them away while they can still be useful to someone. The abundance of things always leads to problems with organizing work in the kitchen,” explains Tamara.

Do you have nightmares about wrong colored potholders in your spotless kitchen? We understand, we do not judge and we also share the opinion that the domestic space should be pleasant to look at. However, we also share Tamara’s view that functionality cannot be sacrificed in the name of aesthetics.

“To get a clear idea of ​​how your kitchen should serve you, ask yourself a few questions. What do I do with it most often? Cooking? Helping children with their homework? Functioning? What items do I use most often? Which ones do I rarely receive? Once you know the answer, you’ll understand how to correct inefficient workspace layout or misplaced appliances resulting from an emphasis on aesthetics or a traditional view of the kitchen,” says Prager .

As professional space organizer Meredith Goforth explains, lack of cooking space and lack of storage space often comes from the placement of unrelated objects in the kitchen. Think, for example, is it really necessary to have all those detergents under the sink? If you only use them once a week for cleaning, then you should place the powders and gels in another place.

According to Meredith, one of the most common mistakes when organizing a kitchen is buying organizers first and only then worrying about what to fill them with. Such a mistake, the expert believes, spoils the life of housewives no less than strategic miscalculations – for example, incorrect placement of the dishwasher or non-compliance with the division into zones.

“The cost of this mistake is wasted space due to a container too large for a small item or the clutter of an overflowing organizer. Choose storage systems based on the size of your drawers, shelves and kitchen utensils to give your cabinets a high-end aesthetic,” says Goforth.

According to Meredith, the key to utilizing vertical space is to add extra tiers to each shelf so there is no empty space. “There are many products for this, from hanging organizers to sliding metal shelves,” says Goforth.

It doesn’t matter in which room you put things in order: spatial visibility is important in any room. As Meridith explains, keeping “invisible” items against the closet wall can lead to duplicate purchases or many expired products. “Try to place organizers vertically rather than in front of each other. If this is not possible, add labels or stickers to the shelves. Compensate for the lack of lighting with additional battery-powered lamps: they are very practical,” advises Goforth.

Instead of storing bulky, crumpled cardboard boxes and shapeless bags, space organizer Anna Bauer advises pouring their contents into transparent stackable containers. “This will allow you to see inventory and utilize the full potential of the vertical space in the cabinets,” says Anna.

Interior designers and space organizers believe that the cabinet under the sink is not the best place for a trash can. First, the smell of trash permeates everything in the closet, including itself. Secondly, the need to throw something often arises when your hands are dirty or sticky and, as a result, the door quickly gets dirty. Third, if you miss the mark when throwing a missing chicken breast, you may not notice it right away.

Homes & Gardens editor Lucy Searle recommends placing a trash can between your cooking area and the sink so you can quickly dispose of everything from cans to banana peels and brush leftover food from your plates before washing them or putting them in the dishwasher.

Also Read: How to Free Up Space in Your Kitchen Cabinets Without Throwing Out a Single Can

According to Bauer, this is the main rule for organizing storage in the kitchen: what you often use should be at eye level and slightly below, rarely used items should be placed on the upper and lower shelves. Anna also advises grouping like together – this will ensure the can opener doesn’t end up among the wine glasses.

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