Decluttering 101: The Kitchen

The kitchen is where people store countless different items, including flatware, dinnerware, appliances, food, pots and pans, and baking tools. Because so many items are stored in the kitchen, it’s hard to keep clutter under control. Believe it or not, it is possible to have a clutter-free kitchen–and it’s not as difficult as it seems. Follow these tips to declutter your kitchen:

Donate Extra Dishes

Chances are, there are multiple sets of dishes hiding in your kitchen cabinets. But, how many sets do you really need? Keep one set for everyday use and another for special occasions–then get rid of the extras. Donating extra dishes to local non-profit organizations will clear up valuable storage space in your cabinets so you have more room to store items that you actually use on a regular basis.

Assess Your Appliances

Small appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, mixers, and toasters are often left out on the kitchen countertops. If you use these appliances regularly, it makes sense to leave them out so they can are easily accessible. Appliances that aren’t used regularly–or at all–should be donated or hidden in the cabinets to clear off the counters in your kitchen.

Tackle the Tupperware

There’s probably a drawer or cabinet in your kitchen that is overflowing with Tupperware in all shapes and sizes. Take all of the pieces out of your drawer or cabinet and match every container to its lid. If there aren’t matches for certain pieces, it’s time to toss them. After all, when was the last time you used a Tupperware lid without its matching container?

Organize Inside Drawers and Cabinets

Decluttering the kitchen means removing clutter everywhere–even if it is hidden inside cabinets and drawers. The best way to deal with clutter inside drawers and cabinets is by using organizational tools such as bowls and trays to store similar items. For example, place small bowls or trays inside the junk drawer in your kitchen. Put all of the rubber bands, paper clips, and other small office supplies in one bowl. Pens, pencils, markers, and other writing utensils can be neatly placed inside a tray. Grouping similar items together in this manner can make it easier to control the clutter situation in hidden places in your kitchen.

Discard Dated Items

Many people are surprised to find out that they’ve been holding onto food and drinks that are no longer edible. If an item is no longer edible, there’s no reason for it to take up space within your kitchen. Create more space in the pantry, cabinets, and refrigerator by removing items that have expired. It takes a while to sort through every item, but it’s worth the effort.

Get Rid of Papers

Stacks of mail, newspapers, important documents, and to-do lists often start to accumulate in the kitchen. But, the kitchen is no place for stacks of paper. Sort through these stacks and make three separate piles–shred it, scan it, or keep it. The papers that wind up in the first pile should be shredded or thrown away. The papers in the second pile can also be thrown away, but first they need to be scanned so you have digital copies. The papers in the keep it pile should be put where they belong–outside of the kitchen.

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. But, it’s hard for families to enjoy their kitchen if it’s covered in clutter. Following these tips can help you regain control over the kitchen and take care of the clutter once and for all!