It’s that time of year again, where we’re all simplifying and paring down. Or at least trying to.
While January tends to be the beginning of what I like to call the doldrums of winter, I also kind of enjoy the cyclical nature of it all. It’s that time where we went from cozy and {somewhat ridiculously} plentiful to a new year with fresh beginnings. And it’s nice to pare down. Today, we wanted to cover all things simplifying: tips for a clutter free kitchen.
Once upon a time, when the kids were younger, I actually had more time for the simplification/purging process. {I know, you think it’d be the opposite.} But we’ve grown our business locally, our kids are at school and in activities full time and our hands are {gratefully} busy most weekdays with all things work. So we’ve become weekend warriors with the everyone else {See: normal people. Also see: real life}.
In other words, finding time to purge can be a bit of a struggle.
I learned really quickly when we changed our 1974 fixer upper {see: the money pit} to a main level open concept, that this was a definite change for us. Because it meant that messiness was front and center. I had to do two things: learn to live with the open concept process while making it manageable, and make sure that we had plenty of storage for the things I didn’t want to live with front and center.
The key to a clean kitchen, is essentially a clutter-free one.
Here are a few of our very favorite tips for a clutter free kitchen:
1. Simplify your countertops
Y’all. These photos are dumb. I know our kitchen isn’t always photoshoot-worthy in real, every day life. The mail gets piled up and school papers are dropped off and things are left out. But in all honesty, we do keep it cleaned up and clear, and with the exception of a coffee maker, what you see in these photos are truly what you get once we swoop through and clear it all up again. I learned really quickly that any extra clutter had to go, and I wanted to keep shelves to a simple amount of items, as well. Visual clutter was front and center in this space with the absence of walls, and nothing makes me twitch faster than crumbs and cups left out on the counter
At first, this drove me crazy. But I learned having an open concept space actually held me accountable to fall into routines and keep it clean. {See more on that, below} Just having less items in the kitchen on the countertops helped oh so much. Keep it clear, and you won’t regret it.
No, we really don’t need that much stuff.
2. Clear the fridge.
Yes, even the fridge – it helps simplify everything visually.
We showcase the kiddos’ school work, and help give them the affirmation that they need by displaying it proudly. But it doesn’t sit there for long. I find a place to store particular grades or art that I love and the pieces that they’re fond of. Our Fridge isn’t the Bermuda triangle where all things paperwork go to die, because of the visual clutter it can cause.
Starting with the main areas and paring down the dishes, containers, cups, and more… can do so much to free up your kitchen. We’re the farthest thing from minimalist, but I do believe we’ve struck a happy, realistic balance. Minus the essentials and a few pretty things… put it away! You’ll be so glad you did.
3. Purge regularly – {fridge and pantry included!}
I learned a long time ago, that you can’t organize junk. You have to throw it out/donate items you don’t use, regularly. I feel like a giant hypocrite even writing this right now because we’ve been on a purging cycle, but there are definitely some cabinets I need to hit. Whittle it down. You’ll be surprised by how much you don’t use.
If you want to be hardcore, it’s also good to avoid falling into old habits by completely emptying those cabinets out, and taking a new survey of your kitchen. Maybe even live in boxes for a good week, and when you need an item, bring it back in. That way, you know you truly use it, and you’re not holding onto that fondue pot you’ve used three times in twenty years of marriage.
Yes, I’m side-eyeing myself. Fondue pots are so fun. Leave me alone.
If it helps when you’re ready, organize into areas that are sectioned off with baskets, inside your cabinets. Those and labels will help you discriminate what you’re keeping in the food category, and why.
4. Allow yourself to have a junk drawer
You know me, I always have to add some realism to balance the hardcore… junk drawers are okay. I once had a neighbor who had a place for everything and everything in it’s place, to the point where we joked that she was a Stepford wife. And one day, she disappeared. True story. Don’t be like the Stepford wife. You’ll drive yourself crazy.
I have a few junk drawers {not Stepford wives} around our house, and they’re essential for the spare items you need to let sit for a while. Have a junk drawer, and feel human. It’s like grace in the form of a metaphorical drawer, and it’s more than okay. Allow yourself that space so that you can function in the every day. Just clean it out every now and again and you’ll probably find whatever you were looking for a month ago.
5. Clean your kitchen in the morning and evening
Or whatever works for you. But once you get organized, I think part of the key to it all is falling into a good routine.
We’re still finding systems for all the little things, and I think some of that is still a part of settling into our house. {We still need a good place for the mail. And school papers. See: desk we plan to build.} It can be easy to let the clutter overwhelm you.
But we do make sure that we rarely go to bed with a dirty kitchen. I try to keep the sink and countertops clear, and start the dishwasher. It’s amazing how all can feel right with the world if the sink is clear when I go to bed. Yay for modern day amenities. And then we unload in the morning while the kids eat their breakfast, before school so everything is back in order. We clean the countertops after every meal. This may sound like a lot, and that’s because I’m not doing it all… we tag team it. The kids are old enough now to pitch in and clear their plates and load the dishwasher and help wipe the countertops. Jamin is an equal partner in this. So we all work together to keep it neat.
Keeping it real: Weekends are a total free for all, but keeping things ‘ceremonious’ are a good, habit-forming way to strive for a clutter-free kitchen.
These are just a few of our basic rules we like to stick to, in keeping things functional in the kitchen.
Read: I have no idea what I’m doing, so don’t let this post fool you… just sharing what works for us! I hope this helps get you started on simplifying. Or anything else you’re ready to tackle in the new year. We’re on your team – and know it can sometimes be hard to get started!
::Side-eyes office and knows she has to clear that out, too::
What are some of your favorite tips for the kitchen?
Have an inspired day!
My tip: make a mini file cabinet in one of your deep kitchen drawers (if you have them). Papers in the kitchen are a constant so I keep often used files right in a deep kitchen drawer including one for each kid, medical, sports, taxes and āto be filedā! This goes a long way towards reducing piles of paper on the counter.
Brilliant, Monica!
Great article and great advice! I donāt have a junk drawer but only because all the drawers already serve a specific purpose.
Matt – REinvestWise.com
In a quest to accomplish exactly what you have described, I have managed to keep two of my counters completely clean. I am militant about them. The rest of the areas may be 8 inches high in stuff, but those two clutter-free surfaces give my weary eyes a place to rest. I do have plans to tackle another area and add it to my clutter-free zones, but you know, baby steps!!