Organize Your Kitchen With Products That Are Functional and Look Great

I’m so excited to share this kitchen and pantry project. My client and her husband have two young children and our goal was to make big changes without spending a lot of money.  They are planning on renovating in the future so this was a temporary fix to get her organized and enjoy the space until they are ready for future changes. She told me she avoided the kitchen as much as possible because it made her stressed, overwhelmed, and frustrated. My first impression of this kitchen and pantry was there was too much stuff and space was not being utilized properly especially in the pantry. These were the steps from beginning to end on how we transformed her kitchen.

Purge

The first thing we did was a heavy purge. We removed everything out of the cabinets, counters, and pantry, and yes I mean EVERYTHING! She was ready to let go of the items that were taking up space and never used so she made my job easy.

Rework the space

The next step in the process was discussing what was working for her and what was not. Sometimes all it takes is a second set of eyes to rework a space and make it flow better. We made a list of items that needed to be replaced and repaired to make the kitchen function better.

Measure the space

I took photos and measurements of all areas so I could start the process of finding the items that were functional, look good, and budget-friendly!

Painted the Pantry

She was very fortunate to have a handy husband so we took advantage of him and put him to work. I suggested we paint the pantry white to brighten it and they were amazed how a simple coat of white paint can make such a big difference. A new coat of paint is a simple way to freshen up ay area in your home without spending a lot of money.

Lighting 

The next thing that stuck out to me was the lighting or the lack of it. I always look at lighting whether in a closet or kitchen because good lighting can make any space better especially the kitchen which is the hub of the home. We added puck lights in the lower cabinets and changed the ceiling light to an affordable brighter option.

Photo Courtesy of Wayfair

Door Storage

I used this over the door system to add needed storage in the pantry. Many people overlook the door as an area that can provide extra storage, especially in small spaces.

Rolling Cart

I added this cart for added pantry storage and it fits the space like it was made for it. We stored disposable paper products, lunch boxes, and this silverware caddy to keep utensils organized.

Pantry Storage

She already had wire shelving in the pantry so I added shelf liners for stability. I labeled white bins so the kids could grab their after-school snacks and help mom pack lunches. I also added an expandable shelf for canned goods and this favorite to store the kid’s breakfast packets. The cereal containers and two lazy susans finished the space and my goal was to make sure she could see what she owns whenever she looks in the pantry. We used the top shelf for larger items that were seldom used but needed to be stored.

Cabinet Storage

Her cabinets had an unusual amount of vertical space so I utilized the height by adding a single lazy susan on the top for taller items and a double lazy Susan for spices and smaller items. even I also used these to stick on the inside of the cabinet door for spice packs and one on the wall in the pantry to store masks. Wearing masks is a reality so we decided to have a place she could store them and conveniently grab them for the kids when packing lunches.

Garbage Can

Why a new garbage can? Sounds trivial but made a big difference in her crisp freshly pained white pantry. Her other one was black and had seen better days so we added this new white one which was narrow and fit the space perfectly.

COFFEE BAR

I wanted to create a coffee bar because she and her husband are coffee drinkers and there was the perfect area in the kitchen for making this possible. The existing space had a dark piece of furniture that was not functional and provided no storage. I added this cart and it not only brightened up the area but was reasonably priced and a perfect fit. By moving the coffee pot it freed up space on her countertop near the stove which is a plus when you are cooking.

Keep it Simple

One thing I did from beginning to end in this project was to keep it simple! The open shelving in the kitchen had various items on it and the client said it was not functional at all. Since her cabinets were blue I decided to stick with one color and use the shelves for her everyday dishes. It not only makes them easily accessible at mealtime but gave her added storage in her cabinets. I chose these white dishes because they were simple, inexpensive, and looked great on the shelves. I decanted some of her everyday items into these containers and added a touch of greenery. To say she was pleased with the results is an understatement. She now loves being in her kitchen and that was my goal!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use.

 

 

Gain Storage In Your Bathroom With These Simple Tips

Are you lacking storage in your bathroom? Many people think they don’t have enough storage but the real problem is how much stuff they own and how they are utilizing the space. As an organizer, the one area I see that is often overlooked is under the sink. When organizing under the sink the key is to pare down and find the right products to fit your space. These four tips will help you clear the clutter and give you ideas for storing your products.

Purge

When beginning any organizing project purging is a must if you want to see change. Purge items that you don’t use or like even if it cost a lot of money. Holding onto items for that reason can keep you in a constant state of clutter. Don’t beat yourself up over it just let it go. Also, some skincare and makeup products have expiration dates so if an item is expired its time to toss.

Sort

Once you have purged sort like items into categories such as haircare, skincare, makeup, first aid, and health. Containers that stack utilizes the vertical space under a sink. These are a favorite because they come in different sizes and are great for stacking. Grouping like items saves time and money.

Measure

The under-sink space is different for everybody due to plumbing restrictions. Measuring the precise depth, width, and height on each side of the plumbing will allow for an accurate fit and help you decide which products will work for you. Don’t buy before you measure!

Contain

If you are lacking drawer storage this is a favorite. It’s easy to assemble and comes in different sizes to fit your needs. Lazy Susans are also a great option under a sink because they provide easy access to everyday essentials.

The best part of any organizing project is putting back all your favorite products and enjoying your new organized space. If you are looking to get organized in your home start with a small project like this. It doesn’t take a lot of time and once you start to enjoy the benefits it will motivate you to move on to other areas in your home.

Let me know if this helped you add space under your sink. I love hearing feedback!

 

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5 Tips To Simplify Your Linen Closet

The linen closet is a great way to start the clutter clearing process. People are generally not emotionally attached to items in a linen closet and it doesn’t take a lot of time to achieve amazing results.

Follow these five tips to simplify and organize your linen closet.

Remove Everything

The only way to tackle any organizing project is to start from scratch. If you organize around your items you are just shuffling clutter. You hear me say it often but you really do have to remove everything if you want to get the job done.

Purge

Now that everything is out of the space get rid of old linens that are ripped or torn, mismatched towels, old blankets and pillows that are never used and items that don’t belong in a linen closet. The Humane Society, your groomer and veterinarian would love to take your old towels and by donating them it will make you feel better about letting go.

Group Like Things Together

I say this all the time but it’s something that I know works. Group first aid, sheets, towels, travel, hair care and any other like items you want to keep in the linen closet. Grouping like items will save you time and money. No more searching for items or spending money on things you already own.

Invest in Baskets or Containers 

Once you have purged measure the area and find containers that work for your space. Baskets or lidded containers work well in linen closets but whatever you choose don’t forget to label. If you can’t see it you don’t know you own it.

Keep It Simple

When you are clearing the clutter and organizing always remember to keep it simple. Keep only what you need, use and love let the rest go.

You don’t need to tackle an entire house in order to begin getting organized. Every time you purge a space and enjoy your hard work it will motivate you to move on to another area in your home.

Start small but start somewhere!