Project kitchen karma
WHEN it comes to clutter, our kitchens are often housing more than their fair share. Not only do we stock-pile cabinets with gadgets and gizmos we hardly use, even counter tops become a graveyard for unnecessary paraphernalia.
To make the most of your kitchen, it's time to claim your space back.
Start with the countersCooking and baking is a nightmare when all your workspace is strewn with clutter. Start from one end of your kitchen, remove absolutely everything from the counters and surfaces and place the whole lot on the floor. Now pick the items up one by one and assess the value each adds to your life. Do you use it daily, weekly, less than that?
An appliance or utensil you use less than once every two days has no business on the counter. This holy space may only accommodate everyday necessities like your kettle, coffee machine and toaster. Utensils with occasional use, like mixers or blenders should be stored in cabinets where they won't hinder your usual cooking.
Organising your cabinetsLike your wardrobe, your kitchen cabinets have to be freshened up and reorganised once in a while.
Do you have a bunch of chipped and mismatched mugs you never use? Perhaps you still have fittings for an appliance you've gotten rid of ages ago.
Clear some space in your kitchen by getting rid of "junk". Chances are, if you haven't used an appliance or utensil in the last three months, you won't miss it.
Think before assigning cabinet spaceNow that your kitchen is organised and your counters are nice and clean, prevent new clutter from building up by managing space smartly.
When it comes to purchasing new cookware, for instance, choose items you can use for multiple purposes. Smaller pots or pans might seem like space savers, but you'll inevitably need a larger skillet or stock pot for entertaining. Investing in medium sized cookware that can handle various meal sizes is more affordable and saves on cabinet space.
Appliances with multiple uses are also a great space saver. Some food processers, for example, can also be used for juicing and chopping, which means three bulky appliances can be replaced by one.
If you have a small kitchen, avoid counter-space hoggers like massive fruit bowls or cup trees. Your precious food preparation space should not have to compete with ornaments, telephones or piles of old junkmail either.
Create extra kitchen storageIf your countertops are strewn with utensils because you lack storage space, consider putting up a few shelves to ease your cooking life.
Additionally, you can install hooks underneath your shelves for hanging pots and pans comfortably out of your way.
When you have enough space to comfortably prepare meals, chances are you'll rediscover a love for cooking, baking and generally spending time in your clutter-free kitchen. – www.homechoice.co.za
