A Tidy, Happy Kitchen

You’ve made your grocery list full of healthy items. You have your new tools. You’re ready to go! But where does it all go? Keeping your kitchen organized is essential to staying healthy. The last thing you want to do when your kitchen is a mess is cook a good meal. Follow these tips and tricks to keep your kitchen in one piece and keep you on track for 2016.

Food Storage

One thing to really keep in mind is where to keep all your fresh food to make it last the longest. It’s not easy – sometimes what seems like the most obvious thing to do is the worst for your vegetables. What do you put in the drawer? What stays out? Here’s an easy (and large) chart to follow. You can even print it & keep it on your fridge for quick reference! Click through to see the full image.

“What is that still doing here?!”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, getting rid of unnecessary items is key to staying organized. Do you have a drawer full of straws and rubber bands? It’s time to dig through it because that is valuable kitchen space! When is the last time you double checked all your appliances? If it doesn’t work, and it’s not worth fixing, you know what to do.

Get A Lazy Susan

Susan was lazy but, boy, was she smart! Lazy Susans can be a savior to so many kitchen areas. My personal favorite is for spices. Stop digging through drawers and sifting through cabinets only to watch half of them spill on the floor. Find one that compliments your kitchen and put it on display. It will instantly add life to your kitchen. If you can afford the time, try to find something unique like this vintage one!

Hang in There, Baby

Hooks work wonders in many places… under the sink for towels and gloves, for pots & pans, aprons, etc. Invest in ones that you like or get ones that stick to multiple surfaces.

Create more space on your shelves by using a serving tray as a shelf divider. Carefully.

Keep cooking utensils accessible and close to the stove. When you’re in the middle of a big meal, you’ll need to easily reach to grab the right spoon or spatula.

Don’t let dishes sit, especially pots & pans (they pile up faster than you know) and put them away as soon as they are clean! This rule alone will keep you cooking in the kitchen and mess free.