Do you feel that it is difficult for you to find things in your kitchen? Does it seem like it takes too long to prepare a meal? Maybe you just don’t have your kitchen set up efficiently. There are some basic rules to keep in mind when organizing your kitchen. The following are some basic tips to organize and run it efficiently.
Ideally, you want to store the items you use regularly near the three main work areas of your kitchen: food preparation, service, and cleaning. Each of these three areas has a different use, but they will all overlap.
The food preparation area, the busiest area in the kitchen, includes the stove / oven, refrigerator, and sink. In this area it is convenient to store the most frequently used items, such as utensils, pots and pans. Dry foods and spices are also ideal for this area if a pantry is not available. For ideal storage, put the utensils in a drawer next to the stove, and I recommend using a drawer organizer. If you want some of your utensils to be more useful, use a decorative ceramic vase or water jug to store those utensils on the counter. Pots and pans should be stored in large drawers or in undercounter cabinets, or hanging from a pot rack that can be hung over the kitchen island or stove.
The serving area is better located next to the food preparation area so that food platters and dishes are easily accessible. Items in this area include serving bowls and platters, dinnerware, silverware, and drinking glasses. In most kitchens, serving pieces and dinnerware are stacked in cabinets, but if you have the space and budget, you may want to add glass doors or open shelves so that you can display some of your pieces. Cutlery should be stored inside a cutlery divider in a drawer under the counter.
The cleaning area, like the food preparation area, includes the sink. At this time, it also includes a dishwasher. Cleaning supplies should be stored under the sink, ideally inside a removable container or on a cabinet door fixture. Also in this area, you need a drying rack to air dry hand washed items. Consider buying a collapsible rack that can easily slide under sick ones when not in use.
By reworking the three work areas, food prep, serving area, and cleaning area along with a few little organizing tips, you are sure to improve your kitchen prep and cleanliness!
