An important part of running an efficient kitchen is combating clutter on every front. The first step, of course, is to clear out unused items and reorganize your kitchen. See our post on Winning the Battle against Kitchen Clutter for tips on decluttering your kitchen.
Once your kitchen is in order, you’re going to want to keep it that way. Clean and clear countertops are often the first casualty in the war against clutter, so we recommend the following strategies to help keep you on course.
The Basics
It may seem obvious, but good housekeeping basics such as cleaning messes up right away and putting plates directly in the dishwasher instead of the sink are the best defense against unwanted accumulation. A little clutter can quickly add up to a big mess in a busy kitchen. Developing good habits and staying ahead of those messes is much easier than spending hours playing catch up. Being able to walk right into a tidy kitchen to whip up a dish when you are inspired to cook is a reward in and of itself!
Central Command
The typical kitchen serves as the communication hub of the home. Calendars, note taking materials, telephone books, communication and entertainment devices, and even televisions are often found occupying cramped counter space. Many of these items can be mounted on a wall, under or inside a cabinet, or in a conveniently accessible drawer. Leaving notes for family members can be simplified by hanging a chalkboard or dry erase board on the wall or fridge.
A Place for Everything…
Daily collections of mail, homework, keys, cell phones, etc. should have assigned locations and be returned to them when not in use. Setting up a drop zone for these kinds of items will help keep you organized; check out this example from Merillat.
You’ll want designated resting places for your assorted small appliances as well. Likewise, cookbooks, canisters, spices and other items commonly seen cluttering up valuable counter space should have a conveniently accessible home in a cabinet or on a shelf. Returning these items to their storage places after using them is key to maintaining a clear countertop.
Need some ideas on where to store these items so that they’re easily accessed, but not in the way? Merillat offers a great line of kitchen accessories and cabinet features to help optimize. Check out a few of these below:
Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Tambour Storage
Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Tambour Storage
The wall tambour storage cabinet is a great location for hiding away your smaller appliances, with a handy cabinet door that rolls up and down for easy access.
Merillat Masterpiece® Base Mixer Shelf
Merillat Masterpiece® Base Mixer Shelf
The workhorse of the kitchen, the stand mixer, deserves its own storage area. This sturdy mixer shelf keeps your stand mixer ready at a moment’s notice, without taking over your countertop.
Merillat Masterpiece® Base Cutting Board Door Rack
Merillat Masterpiece® Base Cutting Board Door Rack
This cutting board door rack is a great way of tucking away your cutting board (this one is included!) in a handy location.
Merillat Classic® Wall Message Center Pull-Down
Merillat Classic® Wall Message Center Pull-Down
A great under cabinet storage solution is the wall message center. It attaches under the wall cabinet and pulls down for easy use and is perfect for storing pens, pads and miscellaneous notes.
Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Organizer
Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Organizer
The Wall Organizer is perfect for keeping papers, mail and other small items off your workspace and out of the way.
Merillat Masterpiece® Under Cabinet Shelves
Merillat Masterpiece® Wall Under Cabinet Shelves
Adds an extra shelf for above-counter storage or for storing a wide variety of items, such as seasonings or small glassware.
Keeping the “Heart” Pumping
We’ve said before that the kitchen is the heart of the home. When your kitchen is cluttered, that “artery” is clogged and it’s difficult to get anything done. Maintaining an organized, clutter-free kitchen helps keep your entire household running smoothly and efficiently. By adopting just a few of the strategies above, you’ll be well on your way to winning the battle against countertop clutter!
Has your kitchen gone through an organizational transformation? What are some of your tips for keeping clutter at bay?
Tags: Countertops, kitchen clutter, merillat, merillat cabinets