5 Tips For Creating a Kitchen That Flows

By Sherrie Le Masurier

When it comes to organizing your kitchen you need to consider how best to make it flow so it works with your lifestyle. In other words, consider what works and what doesn't in the current set up of your kitchen and come up with some better alternatives.

Sometimes it's simply a matter of trying a new system to see if it works. Remember no organizational system is carved in stone. Try different kitchen set-ups and make note of how each has improved or hampered the flow.

In some cases, it may be a matter of training your family to a new way of doing things. If things don't appear to be working, give it at least a week or so before changing things back. Remember though it takes a good 21 days to establish a new habit so if a new system seems to makes sense do your family a favor and stick with it for awhile. You may even want to add temporary labels to indicate where things go in your kitchen cabinets or drawers.

Here are a few tips to help inspire your kitchen organization efforts:

Store Appliances Near Outlets

If you store kitchen appliances close to your electrical outlets and where they'll be used, you won't have to worry about moving them every time they're needed. Add an extension cord if necessary but don't get in the habit of having too many appliances plugged in at the same time.

Keep Spices Organized

Install a spice rack inside a kitchen cabinet door or on a tiered shelf inside a cabinet located close but not too close to your cooking area. Spices should be stored in a cool, dry place as heat and moisture will spoil the flavor and you'd have to replace them more frequently. Consider keeping similar spices together like nutmeg and cinnamon or sage and poultry spice or simply alphabetizing your entire collection.

Sort Utensils By Size

To make finding the correct utensil easier, store each according to size and length and close to where you'll be using it.

Properly Store Knives

For safety sake, store sharp knives by themselves on either a magnetic strip affixed to your kitchen wall or in a butcher's block near your main work surface. Knives stored in drawers not only present a danger but over time will become dull from being banged around with other items.

Organize Plastic Ware

Before attempting to organize your plastic ware cabinet, purge any containers without lids and match up all that remain. Nest like-sized containers together and place lids in one of the largest containers beside the rest.

To learn more about how to create an efficient kitchen thorough proper storage and organization visit Kitchen and Pantry Organizing. Sherrie Le Masurier is an organizing consultant and co-author of How to Organize Your Kitchen and Pantry in a Weekend. More organizing related articles can also be found on Sherrie's website http://www.familysanitysavers.com - Copyright 2008.