Improve Your Kitchen in 3 Steps: An Intentional Decluttering Guide
I’ve thought long and hard about what 3 things I can usher you to declutter in your kitchen that will make the MOST immediate impact if you do them. Through rigorous testing lots of methods to streamline kitchen, and through observation of routine patterns/working in many kitchens, I think I’ve nailed it! This 3 part list to declutter in your kitchen below will help you simplify, streamline and improve efficiency quickly throughout your entire space!
Make sure to check out my Ultimate Kitchen + Pantry Guide (inside our All Access Home Bundle) if you want to dig even deeper into this topic of all things kitchen, with strategic steps to follow, without the overwhelm!
KITCHEN DECLUTTER FOCUS #1:
EXPIRED FOOD + FOOD YOU DON’T LIKE HAS TO GO.
You might have expected me to tell you to start by decluttering the ridiculous amount of travel water bottles (and yes, I do want you to do this, but later!!), however I want you to start with one of the easiest things to purge in your kitchen / things that you should have zero emotional investment in - expired goods and foods you’re simply not eating!
DO IT: Set a timer and scan all your food zones for expired items and foods not being eaten.
check the pantry, the things shoved in the back of the fridge,
the condiments in the side of the fridge door
check the freezer for items with freezer burn (or you have no idea how old it is),
toss plastic bags of things that you know are more than months old, etc.
toss spices that no longer smell or taste like they normally should.
while you’re scanning, toss items that are opened that you no longer want to eat or know you won’t eat in the future
donate unopened, non-expired foods to your local food bank / check locally for needs
recycle as much packaging as possible (paper based boxes, metal lids, metal cans, glass jars, plastic bottles - check locally)
Bonus Step for Decluttering Rock Stars: Take note of things you might need to restock on or will no longer buy to avoid future waste and save money!
KITCHEN DECLUTTER FOCUS #2:
EDIT YOUR COUNTERTOPS RIGOROUSLY.
Kitchen countertops are notorious for attracting clutter, which makes it even harder to do basic, daily tasks in your kitchen, like prepping food or making a quick breakfast. To stay on top of this, here’s a few tips to help you edit what’s out on your countertops today, and make your kitchen counters more usable with more space moving forward.
DO IT: Take these steps to start your countertops editing process.
First, put anything away that doesn’t need to be out on the counters - clean dishes, dirty dishes, utensils that can go back in drawers, trash, recycling, toss moldy fruit, etc.
Second, do an appliance edit. Does that blender really have to be out on your countertop or could it get tucked away close to where you like to use it? How often do you use your toaster? If it’s not daily, I’d consider putting it an cabinet close by where you’ll plug it in and only bring it out when you need it.
Lastly, challenge yourself to keep out as little as possible. After the first two rounds of edits, take inventory of all the things still out on your countertops. What do you see? Now assess each item and ask if it is absolutely essential to have out - do you actually use it and is it frequently helpful for you in your kitchen? If yes, could it get tucked away and still be helpful?
Scan for donations as you go. As you’re moving through these steps, you might find items that you simply don’t need anymore, don’t use or don’t like anymore. Have a box or bag handy to put these items in + get them ready to drop off at a donation site locally, or schedule a pick up. Make sure these items are clean, in good working shape and could be immediately helpful in someone else’s home.
Bonus Step for Decluttering Rock Stars: Test having out as little as possible on your kitchen countertops for the next week and see how it goes. If you need to pull something back out because it’s better for your kitchen routines, go for it. But try to see if you can try out something new and see if the extra space benefits you more than things taking up valuable real estate on your countertops.
KITCHEN DECLUTTER FOCUS #3:
DO A KITCHEN ROUTINES EFFICIENCY AUDIT.
The simplest way I can put this is that you’re going to scan your kitchen for inefficiencies that are making you work harder than you need to be. Think about where you use things in your kitchen - do you have things in drawers or cabinets close to where you actually use them?
DO IT: Consider these examples for reference to compare to your own kitchen + let them help you come up with your own inefficiencies to remove! Once you find an efficiency in your kitchen, consider what’s the easiest and simplest way to fix the problem.
If you always chop / prep veggies in one zone of your kitchen, are you chopping knives close by or are you always walking across the kitchen for them?
Do you keep your wood stirring spoons for pots near the stove so they’re easy to grab?
Are your cooking spices within reach of where you cook with them?
Are the breakfast essentials you always use in the morning easy to grab in your pantry or fridge?
Are most of the dishes you unload from the dishwasher put away right right next to or above the dishwasher to minimize time spent on unloading?
Go through and hunt for inefficiencies and see what things you can move around to make routines in your kitchen easier.
Bonus Step for Decluttering Rock Stars: While you hunt for inefficiencies, also consider items being placed in a hierarchy of importance. ‘Always used’ items should be easy to see, easy to grab, eye level and easy to put away. ‘Lesser or sometimes used’ items can be off to the side, up high, down low or towards the back of the drawer, shelf or cabinet. Aim to have as few of these “sometimes” use items. We want our kitchen to mostly hold things we are actively using, all the time, and that make life easier for us in the kitchen!
Now it’s your turn! Try out these 3 steps to help simplify your kitchen and instantly boost how efficiently you can do ALL the food things. Test these out and let me know down in the comments what was most helpful for you!
PS. If you want to dive in even deeper into all things KITCHEN, you’ll want to check out my Ultimate Kitchen + Pantry Guide (inside our All Access Home Bundle) - you’ll find all things decluttering, organizing, space planning, low cost swaps to elevate your kitchen and MORE!
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
+ Check out more KITCHEN TOOLS here!
+ Check out more free resources + all things KITCHEN here on the website for you to benefit from!
+ Dive deeper into all things KITCHEN from decluttering, space planning, organization, design + low cost solutions with refreshes + upgrades inside of our Ultimate Kitchen + Pantry Guide (you can find this inside the All Access Home Bundle).
+ Click the follow button for @fuzzyhipposhop decluttering tips + basics to get you unstuck in your home on instagram!
+ Download my free declutter guide to get you taking quick + easy decluttering action in your own home (linked in profile).
Managing The Kitchen Clutter: 5 Tips That Get Results Quickly
Kitchens are known clutter collectors, even in the most tidy and organized homes. Fact. The way we use them, how they’re set up inside our home, the zones we create and how we use the space naturally create opportunities for stuff to pile up. Keep these 5 kitchen decluttering tips in your back pocket and you’ll be able to reset and manage the kitchen clutter in your home in a snap.
Do a drinking cup/vessel audit (edit).
WHY: You likely have too many (I’d be willing to bet money on it) and it’s eating up valuable cabinet/kitchen space that you need for other things, making your kitchen feel smaller.
HOW: Pair down mugs, travel cups, water bottles, everyday cup and glasses, etc.
TRAPS: Avoid lots of duplicates - toss broken/unusable cups - if you never use it (be honest) donate it.
GAINS: You’ll recover valuable cabinet space, you’ll stop digging, you’ll wash less and have less to manage! Woo hoo!
Do a food audit (edit) - fridge, freezer, pantry, spices, etc.
WHY: Food you don’t need that you’re holding space for is taking up valuable square footage all over your kitchen. You’ll learn what you need to buy and what to stop wasting money on plus learn what you have in stock now.
HOW: Remove expired items, food you’re never eating, don’t like, don’t plan to eat, etc.
TRAPS: Avoid keeping too much back stock of foods you never get to and waste. Keep stock of food items you use/want to eat.
GAINS: You’ll recover valuable cabinet space, you’ll stop digging, you’ll have less to wash and have less to manage!
Do a countertop audit (edit).
WHY: Extras on your counter tops are wasting valuable space to prep food - it’s also visually cluttering up your entire kitchen/causing you constant stress.
HOW: Remove items that don’t need to be put on the counter - be ruthless - if it can be tucked away near where it’s used, do it.
TRAPS: Rarely used appliances (like toasters, blenders, mixers) hog valuable countertop space - make every single item earn its place or remove it!
GAINS: Your kitchen will instantly look cleaner and larger when you simplify/reduce what is out on your kitchen counters. Less visual clutter will make kitchen tasks easier, improve your kitchen workflow and reduce stress.
Do a cooking utensils audit (edit).
WHY: Well, you don’t need 12 spatulas to start. You likely have more than you need and you have your favorites you love to go to time and time again. Your favorites need to take center stage to streamline your workflow in your kitchen.
HOW: Remove kitchen utensils you don’t use regularly, are in poor shape (cannot be repaired or donated), you don’t remember the last time you used them, or you simply don’t like them (yes, this is a perfectly good reason to part with something)!
TRAPS: Be mindful of holding on to too many duplicates. They eat up your counters and drawer space and make you dig for the things you use everyday. Unless it is serving a specific function, makes a task easier and it is used regularly, it needs to go. If you are not a big baker, you shouldn’t have 10 whisks, for example.
GAINS: More drawer space, less digging, simplified kitchen tasks and routines, more efficient workflow in your kitchen, more space, more space, more space!
Do a kitchen decor audit (edit).
WHY: It might not reflect your current season of life, it might not reflect your aesthetic or it might be taking up space that could be better used for more functional items you need regular access to. It might also just be visual clutter all over your kitchen, causing stress.
HOW: Check your counter tops, walls, books, vessels, trays, bowls, kitchen rugs, kitchen towels, etc. Remove anything that takes up more space that it is worth, you’ve grown out of love with, is too loud or not your style anymore, could be more useful in another space in your home, or you’d rather have the space back and could be donated.
TRAPS: Decor is another layer of items that will fight for your attention and clutter up your kitchen if you’re not careful. As we discussed with your counter tops, make every single decor piece/layer in your kitchen earn it’s place. Aim for items that check off the function and aesthetic categories equally. Both are essential.
GAINS: Simplify your kitchen, visually streamline the look and feel of your kitchen, gain back usable space throughout, reduce stress with less visual clutter and more intentional choices will bring you more joy!
Want to take your kitchen to the next level without a costly renovation? Here’s a few options for you to get you moving + motivated with all things decluttering, organizing + design for your kitchen!
Ultimate Kitchen + Pantry Guide
5 Steps to Simplify Your Kitchen + Pantry Now
A recent poll from our community shouted out loud that this topic was something that MOST everyone needed ASAP! Deal! We’ll break down together some simple steps to get your understanding your kitchen and pantry on a deep level so you can start removing obstacles lingering around and start making life easier here!
And PS. when your kitchen is working right, a lot of other things seems to go SO much smoother throughout your home and your day!
1. Observe Your Space
All we’re doing in this first step is looking around and taking note of any hot spots you see or are experiencing. A hot spot might look like:
cluttered counters or piles of things on the counter
overstuffed shelves or cabinets
digging for things or not being able to find things easily
lots of extra trips to the store
finding expired things you’re not getting to because you didn’t know you had it
lots of duplicates of things you don’t actually use
seeing things taking up space that you don’t use, enjoy or like anymore
your family not being able to take care of their basic needs in the kitchen without your help (based on their age of course)
areas that are hard to keep clean or organized
I want you to write it ALL down. Any observations and anything you know you’re currently struggling with related to anything kitchen and pantry.
2. Remove Things
Now we are going to select a zone of your kitchen and pantry to focus on improving. Let’s pretend you’re really struggling with a particular drawer in your kitchen (lots of digging going on and overstuffed). We’re going to focus on that zone/category only for the next several steps. Deal?
The next step is to heavily EDIT (declutter) this zone so it can intentionally serve the purpose you need to serve. Pull everything out from this zone so you can objectively look at what is there outside of it’s current “home” that you’re conditioned to looking at at certain way (and numb to).
Here’s what you’re looking for to edit out:
items you never use
items that are broken/damaged/beyond repair
duplicates that aren’t used regularly
items you don’t like/enjoy anymore
items that don’t belong in this zone and need to be relocated
Toss items that cannot be donated or repaired. Recycle if possible based on your local regulations (I was just able to recycle old plastic plates and dishware that were not in good enough shape for donation by could be recycled locally). Donate if it’s in good shape and can be resold/be immediately useful to someone else. Donate it locally or offer it up to a site like Free Cycle in your community.
3. Move Things
Before you put things back into this zone, you are going to assess what you’ve decided to keep and align that will how you want that zone to work.
Back to my example of the overstuffed kitchen drawer, here’s what I am going to think about now that this zone is emptied and edited:
what is the drawer close to/what tasks will it make easier for me? (ex. cooking/baking prep)
what tasks do I want to do right near this zone and what should be in this drawer to support this? (ex. chop, mix, stir, measure)
When you more clearly identify what this zone (drawer for example) needs to do, it will likely involve you moving things around to get the end result you’re after and simplify/create more efficiency in this zone.
Now you’re going to group what you are keeping in this zone (drawer for example). Use these guidelines to group items in a zone:
by size/ shape (items with fit better together, nest better and maximize your space)
by use (spatulas together, measuring tools together, long spoons together, etc.)
by frequency of use (if you use it all the time, move it to the front so it’s super easy to grab)
4. Add Order
With clear categories of items to put back in the zone you’re focusing on, a bit of additional order (organization) will make this zone shine with efficiency and make great use of the space you have.
Here’s some ideas for how to maximize any zone in your kitchen and pantry with organizational items you likely already have in your home:
counter tops - if it must stay out, make sure it is used frequently, isn’t taking up too much usable counter space (corral essentials on the counter with a tray, plate or shallow basket)
shelves - keep what is used frequently in the front and easily in reach, if out in view all the time, curate items by type to create visual “collections” by use, color, material, size, etc.
cabinets - to avoid losing items deep in the cabinets, use baskets, containers or bins with handles/cut out to pull out a group of items (like water bottles or cooking tools) all at once and can easily slide back in place similar to a drawer
drawers - create mini drawers with drawer dividers, shallow boxes, cut down cardboard boxes, lids, trays, etc. Subdividing the space you have allows you to see all that you have at a glance and make it easier to access what you need without digging around
5. Live With It
With all your essential keep items back in their place in this kitchen and pantry zone, it is now time to LIVE with the changes you’ve made. As you spend more time with this newly refreshed area, you might realize it is exactly as you need it to be OR that it needs a few tweaks.
Here’s what you might experience and how to tweak it:
you notice you don’t need something out on the counter anymore (your habits/routine has shifted) and can be tucked away
you need to move something to another spot in your kitchen/pantry to make it easier to access/use or support a task better
you need another mini zone in a drawer or cabinet to make it easier to access something
you want to swap locations of items for another area of your kitchen/pantry because it makes more sense
Tweaking things to get them working just right is a normal part of the process as you “listen” to your space and respond to what is needed to make life easier and more efficient in this area.
Want more support in your kitchen + pantry?
If you’d like understand how to make your kitchen + pantry work seamlessly, efficienctly, look beautiful, while saving you time, money and energy, I’d love for you to check out my Ultimate Kitchen + Pantry Guide.
If you’re current kitchen feels too small, has too little storage, you think you need to spend a ton of money on it to improve it or take on a costly renovation, the clutter and chaos feels like it is never ending, then this program is calling your name!!
Can’t wait to blow your mind as I show you exactly how to intentionally declutter, organize and layer in design you love throughout your current so you fall back in love with your kitchen again!
Thanks for being here + I’ll see you in the next post!
Why Your Refrigerator Is Working Against You + How To Fix It
If you’ve ever stopped for a moment in front of your refrigerator and thought, “Why is this not better, why does it look like this, and why do I keep wasting food?” Well, I have answers for you that will help you blast past this today. For a space we are in an out of all day, it deserves a little TLC to make life easier.
If you’ve ever stopped for a moment in front of your refrigerator and thought, “Why is this not better, why does it look like this, and why do I keep wasting food?” Well, I have answers for you that will help you blast past this today. For a space we are in an out of all day, it deserves a little TLC to make life easier.
Quick note, if someone asks me to talk about organization anywhere in the home, you must know that this is a deeply layered topic to truly undercover what is going on and the steps to resolve it. This is just real life, but I am here for it and I hope you are too! I am also here to make that process streamlined and easier for you, I bet you’re here for that too!
Here’s the RECAP BELOW if you missed the video chat that you can also see in my Instagram highlights under KITCHEN I.
ISSUE #1: You’re not treating your refrigerator like it’s a room in your home.
You need to have a mindset shift about your refrigerator right now to improve things, and here’s the secret…you need to treat your fridge just like any other room in your home you’re trying to improve.
SOLUTION: View it like a room in your home. And you need to take the steps with it you would like any other room in your home. You need to ✓ edit/declutter it thoroughly, ✓ simplify what’s happen in there with clear zones and organization that support those zones, and you need to ✓ design it to be helpful, low waste, and beautiful to make life easier in there!
A few quick tips on decluttering + editing your refrigerator today:
✓ Remove expired product/produce/etc.
✓ Remove items you’re not going to eat (that sauce that looked great and wasn’t your vibe)
✓ Clean out and recycle or repurpose containers/jars as much as possible
✓ Pull everything out and sort it in to categories as you remove each item to save time
✓ Wipe everything down (it doesn’t have to be perfect)
ISSUE #2: You don’t have clear zones for EVERYTHING going in your refrigerator.
This is also true for creating space for things that can change, like leftovers (small and large containers). If you don’t plan for these types of spaces beyond the big, obvious stuff, the items you don’t plan for will overhaul your other areas and destroy your organization.
SOLUTION: Create clear zones for everything, and I mean everything. This will help you save time finding things and putting them away, along with saving you money because you won’t forget about what you actually have in your refrigerator. Get creative with the space you do have and don’t feel like you have to stick to conventional uses for each common area in your fridge. Create zones that make sense for you + your home.
A few quick tips on creating clear zones:
✓ Consider moving shelves around in your fridge to take advantage of unused space (think about move a shelf up high for all your shorter items that take advantage of an often forget zone at the top).
✓ Start with the easy items to put back first. If you know the only spot certain condiments or tall drinks fit, put those away first.
✓ Give everything a spot, even if it a spot that is a broad category, like left overs.
✓ Leave breathing room. You don’t have to fill everything up. The refrigerator is one of the only areas of your home where the physical space literally changes multiple times a day. Allow space for this changes + set up some areas/zones that are super flexible.
✓ Corral awkward + varying shaped items in a single category with a container to maximize your space. Example: coffees + syrups. Lots of different shapes that make sense together in a long plastic container that keeps things orderly and easy to see.
✓ Label bins or containers of items when you’re more likely to get disorganized + just throw things in. You know what I’m talking about… you don’t have to label everything, but even a few labels go a long way!
ISSUE #3: You’ve got clear zones, but they’re in the wrong spot.
News flash: You can have an organized refrigerator with clear zones, but if you have things in the wrong spot, it can still be an issue; you will still waste time and money on what’s being stored in there because of where things are located.
SOLUTION: Move zones (or categories of food) in the refrigerator that make life easy. Pay attention to where you’ve had issues before in your refrigerator and design around those to make quick improvements. Example: You’re always forgetting leftovers, so move your leftovers landing spot to the front in a spot that easy to see, and maybe start storing them in clear/glass containers so you can see exact what you have.
A few quick tips on making sure your refrigerator food zones are in the right location:
✓ Frequently used items should be front and center, easy to grab.
✓ If you struggle to use up food before it spoils/expires, put them in clear containers so you can SEE everything.
✓ Don’t allow items to get shoved to the back. Instead consider a clear bin to corral categories of items that you can slide out to get access to just you would a drawer.
✓ Not all fruit or produce has to be stored in the drawers assigned by the refrigerator manufacturer. You might like those drawers better for breads, canned drinks, or for left overs. Create your own rules that take advantage of your space.
✓ Revisit your zones and tweak things (move them around) when you notice you are forgetting about foods or you’re struggling to reach something. Small tweaks translate to big improvements.
SO WHAT’S NEXT?
Now it’s time to go tame the chaos in your refrigerator, or just spruce it up a little bit! For a space we’re in and out of so much each day, you’ll be blown away at how a little time spent in there can have a cascade of positives happen with your mood and how you organize other areas of your home.
If you’re ready for more support in your kitchen, you’ll want to make sure to check out the Kitchen + Pantry Ultimate Guide launching in JULY 2021! Make sure you are on the email list so you’re the first to know when it is live!
Ready to streamline your home + make it more beautiful without running out and buying a ton of product? I’ve got you, that’s how I roll too. I’d love for you to check out all the resources I’ve created for you here.
