People use their kitchens almost every day. The wide range of items they contain needs somewhere to go and must be easily accessible for everyday use. Because of this, it’s common for kitchens to become cluttered spaces that make it harder to find must-have ingredients or that glass you’ve been meaning to use for dinner parties. If you’re not on a strict budget but still want to declutter, below are some great options to maximize the space of your kitchen and minimize areas where clutter can accumulate.
1. Adding Shelves
Shelves are a great place to start when working on decluttering your kitchen. There’s often room above your stovetop or even on the side of your counter to install some. If you’re hanging them directly onto your wall, make sure you determine the placement of the studs to ensure a stable setup.
Another place is inside your existing cabinets. Sometimes, these are built with only two shelves when there’s space for three. Utilize it by taking out the existing shelves and adding in your own. The size and space you have available will determine the shape and possible material of your shelves. Floating shelves, stacking shelves or shelf risers are all good options.
You can also use your best judgment to figure out what to store on them. If they’re smaller, consider placing condiments or smaller recipe books on them. If storing condiments, make sure they’re easily accessible from the counter or stove top, which is typically where you’ll need them the most when cooking. If the shelves are bigger and higher off the ground, large utensils like serving spoons or precious glassware could be displayed there.
2. Installing Drawers
Drawers are another useful way to declutter your kitchen space. These rooms usually have drawers built-in, but sometimes there’s space for a few more or areas to expand and make them able to hold more items. If you’re saving up for your dream custom kitchen cabinets, you can DIY organization in the meantime.
Pull-out drawers are common in kitchens because they make it simple to grab things like knives or measuring cups while you are busy cooking. If you want to go a step further, you can also install dividers inside the physical drawers to make them more organized. Items will also have a harder time getting lost in the mess of a random drawer since the dividers will keep everything separate.
Installing drawers and the shelves mentioned earlier might require using a bandsaw or something similar to cut the wood to the appropriate measurements. This is a dangerous tool that requires some skill. Because you’re doing it yourself, remember to refer to the bandsaw’s operating manual to determine what type of blade to use for the material you’re cutting.
3. Creating a Pot Rail
Adding a pot rail in your kitchen is a good option if you have the space because it provides a home for bigger essentials and makes them easier to grab when you’re making soup or boiling spaghetti. Brass is the typical material used for these additions. You can find a spare rod leftover somewhere in your home or head to the local store and purchase a new one.
For a sturdy rail, you want to drill hooks or find studs to hold it up. Pots are often heavy, so making sure the rod can support them is key to a successful installation. Once the rail is up, hang hooks on it to display your cookware. Having easily adjustable ones can help accommodate different-sized pots or anything else you want to hang there.
4. Building a Lazy Susan
Lazy Susans are a common and helpful addition to a kitchen. Choosing its design based on mismatched items can help you store those objects well. If you don’t need a place for random kitchen tools but instead need somewhere to store your collection of condiments or special silverware, a Lazy Susan could also be right for you. They can be made out of several materials, but two common ones are wood or metal.
A possibly tricky design element of a Lazy Susan is its ability to spin on its axis for easy grabbing. If installed incorrectly, the feature could get stuck or break. It is also important to make sure the stored items are distributed evenly on top of the Lazy Susan, as the mechanism can get stopped that way, too.
5. Placing Hooks
Hooks are a great and simple way to store items without much hassle. You can make a few yourself or buy one at the store. Then, find a spot on the wall or side of a cabinet where you could use some hanging storage. Remember the safety tip earlier about finding the studs to install safely onto your wall.
A hook is often made of metal or wood, depending on your choice and the style of your kitchen. Pots and pans, serving spoons, measuring cups, spatulas, and more can hang on them. When making your hooks, keep in mind what you plan to display there, as this will determine the thickness and strength necessary.
How Much Time Do People Spend in Kitchens?
People spend up to 1,000 hours in the kitchen a year. Items like food and utensils take up most of the space, and if it lacks organizational needs like shelves, hooks or drawers, it can become cluttered over time.
Being in a messy kitchen for too long can take an emotional toll on a person. Clutter can cause depression and other mood disorders in people who have a lot of it. This is why it’s so important to declutter your space, especially your kitchen.
Declutter Your Cooking Space Today With 5 Easy Steps
A kitchen is often the hub of a household. After all, humans need to eat every single day. However, because it holds so many crucial tools and appliances, it can easily get overwhelmingly cluttered.
A smaller mess can lead to a happier life and an easier cooking experience. Try out a few of these organization tips today to make your kitchen time relaxing.
