No matter what kind of kitchen you have, getting organized is important. It can save your time, space, and money and make your life simple.
1.
Label three boxes: “to keep,” “to give away,” and “not sure.” Then, empty out all cabinets, drawers, and shelves. Assign each item to a box, keeping only what you need, love, or think is beautiful. The items you need are those you use often and that contribute to efficiency in the kitchen. The “unsure” box is a way to determine over time whether certain items are valuable to you. Sally Allen, a professional organizer from Golden, Colorado, says that if you’re having trouble deciding whether to toss certain things, you should “store those items in a box, seal the box, date it, and put it in the garage or the basement. If you don’t go back to that box within the next four months, then that’s your decision.”
Parting with items can sometimes be difficult for cost or sentimental reasons. Jan Limpach, a professional organizer in Omaha, says it’s much easier to get rid of something if you realize that it will be useful to someone else. Items in your “to give away” box that are still in working condition can be sold in a garage sale or donated to a charity.
2.
The inventory you took before you emptied your cabinets will give you a better idea of where to put the belongings that survive the purging and sorting process.
Proper organization keeps the items you need visible, saving space and time — and money: Being able to quickly and easily locate items will keep money in your wallet because you won’t have to run out to buy a replacement when an item ends up missing. Consider these suggestions for reassigning space:
