Top 10 tips
For the organised kitchen
Being organised can save time, money, waste and stress. Below are a few simple ideas that can help keep your cooking area clean and clutter free.
One
Assign utensils to their own designated spaces in the kitchen. Be logical about how you assign this space.
You should also ensure that the space assigned for each item is in the correct proximity to the activity it is related to e.g. cooking utensils should be stored by the cooker, cleaning materials should be stored near the sink.
Two
Cleanliness is of vital importance in the kitchen and this has to be factored in when selecting storage solutions.
Food storage containers should seal tightly to avoid the transference of food smells, items dripping or cross contamination. Porous materials are not suitable for kitchen use, as they harbour germs and are not easy to clean thoroughly. All storage items in the kitchen should withstand a good scrubbing and should also withstand disinfectant use and dishwasher use.
Three
Use see through storage containers where possible. See through containers will allow you to easily identify what food is in each container and will also help you to identify when something needs to be thrown out.
Four
Many kitchen spaces are awkward and hard to reach so investing in some easy to install fittings that can be pulled out on runners or rollers will certainly save you a lot of hassle and backache.
Five
Cutlery drawers can be a nightmare. To combat this, invest in a drawer organiser with drawer dividers. Give each type of item a designated space and if you still find your drawer is too full, do the same with your "spill over" drawer but ensure that you store the items you use less frequently in this drawer.
Six
If you already have an existing pantry or if you have room to create one, install an elfa walk-in pantry for flexible and quality pantry organisation.
Shelf positions are fully flexible so you can move them at any time to suit items stored.
Seven
Make the most of your undersink area by installing pull out baskets for cleaning products, a swing out bin, plastic bag recycler and paper towel holder.
Creating a home for these high use items ensures that they can always be found and the cupboard stays tidy.
Eight
Give your kitchen a good clear out at least once a month.
Over crowded fridge will not function at the correct temperature, as this puts the cooling facility under too much pressure making it vitally important that you do a regular clean out both for the safety of your food and longevity of your appliance.
Nine
It might not always be possible to store everything away off your kitchen counter top, so when choosing items and appliances that will be in view on a permanent basis, go for something that will look good, act as a focal point in the kitchen.
The kitchen is the hub of activity in most homes, so the storage solutions in the kitchen are mainly there to make your life easier and more hygienic
Ten
If you are trying to recycle, ensure that you have an organised system for waste. Invest in two bins, one for recyclable waste and one for non-recyclable waste, or a bin with multiple compartments, which allows you to dispose of each type of waste in an orderly and hygienic fashion.
