The kitchen is the heart and soul of the home. It's where people naturally gather to do homework, pay bills, watch TV, and talk at the end of the day.
This holiday season, make people and food the focus with uncluttered countertops and just a few accessories. You'll need all that space to prepare the meal and create stations for helpers. You'll also use the space for placing food in the proper serving pieces and serving appetizers.
To prevent being stuck in the kitchen without anyone to talk to, have bar stools, a bench or chairs available for seating and conversations with the cook. You may also want to have a clear view of the TV so you can keep an eye on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the football games.
Starting at the beginning of November, take a look at the state of your kitchen cabinets and pantry and ask yourself, "If my home were a store, would shoppers be able to shop for what they need in my kitchen and be able to find it?" If the answer is "no", you've got a couple of weeks to get it organized before the big day.
Think in terms of store aisles when grouping things together. At the fabulous kitchen store Williams Sonoma, they have the pot section, the gadget section, an isle of baking pans and supplies, the glassware is grouped close to the plates and serving dishes, and the table linens are folded and stacked together, too. Arranging items by category is essential for an efficient and functional kitchen.
Step One:
Start with the counter. Group like items together - it's a basic organizing principle. Group items by type: Things that would be found together on the same isle in the store.
Step Two:
Then, do the drawers, working the items into the categories on the counter and creating new categories when needed.
Step Three:
Take everything out of the cabinets and continue grouping. Wipe out drawers and cabinets before putting things back in.
Toss broken items, and donate things you never use or don't like.
Step Four:
Once you have all your groupings choose the most convenient cabinet for frequently used items and store items in categories. Less frequently used items can be stored in upper hard-to-reach cabinets or in the basement or garage on shelves or in closed cabinets to keep them dust-free.
Step Five:
Add labels to your cabinets and drawers so every helper can maintain the kitchen organization you have worked so hard to achieve. Remember: Labels speak for you when you're not there! Label shelves so clean dishes get put back in the proper spot and guests, housekeepers, nannys, and teenagers know exactly where to put everything.
Ideally, your kitchen should be comfortable and inviting and be able to handle a variety of activities with ease. The trick is to keep everything organized and convenient. Taking a few hours at the beginning of the month to regroup and reorganize will ensure many happy meals cooked and enjoyed in your kitchen this season.
Cheers!
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