Organizing and Decluttering the Kitchen

Are you ready to read about some helpful ideas on the subject of organizing and decluttering the kitchen, beginning with the kitchen cabinets? Most people have a very busy everyday schedule and it is so easy for our kitchen cabinets to become somewhat disorganized at times. 

I find that it saves me a great deal of time and effort when my kitchen cabinets are neat and organized. I can prepare my family meals more efficiently and I happen to enjoy cooking a little more when my kitchen is decluttered. So, if your kitchen needs a bit more organization for you to function well on an everyday basis, you may truly enjoy the following information. Let's declutter and organize some kitchen cabinets.

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

It may be a good possibility that you recently found my organizing blog while searching online for home organizing ideas in general or looking for great methods to declutter a home. A common theme to discuss today would include several ideas about organizing and decluttering the kitchen cabinets. I will try to easily explain some helpful steps that I practice when I am cleaning out kitchen cupboards.
 
However, before I start describing my method of decluttering kitchen cabinets, I will tell you about my sincere interest in home organization and that is the main reason that I began my blog, which I truly enjoy very much.
 
I have a great passion for organizing and decluttering. I have been reading a variety of informative books on the subject and I also have been viewing many helpful videos about organizing the house. You may find it fun and very interesting to check out my organizing/declutter book selection on my blog.  

After reading and researching lots of great ideas and techniques for organizing a house, I came to my own conclusion that I don't actually think there is just one perfect way to organize a house. There are many steps and methods that everyone can choose according to what they feel comfortable with for their personal lifestyle. 

When I was researching everything that I could find about organization, I came across some useful items that could very well come in handy when decluttering and organizing the house. 

You may wish to check out a nice variety of organization and storage products, along with the following organizing items for the home. Now, let's get back to talking about cleaning out some kitchen cabinets to make life a little easier while working in your kitchen everyday. It is one place in particular that many moms need to spend a lot of time on a routine basis, so you might as well make that time less stressful and more enjoyable.

I try to begin by doing one kitchen cabinet shelf at a time and just focus and concentrate on that one specific task. Personally, I begin by making a clean area on my kitchen countertop or a nearby kitchen table to place all the items from the shelf as I remove them, so I can easily sort through everything from that one shelf. For example, as you are sorting through the items, you may find that you have way too many items in one specific category.

In the photo below you will notice there are many bottles. If you happen to find out that you have too many items for one category, such as bottles or cups and saucers, you may decide to donate some items to your favorite local charity. The items for donation can be placed in a separate cardboard box and labeled for donation. I usually try to take my donation boxes to the charity or make arrangements for them to pick up the items within a short time period after I am done with my organizing project, so the boxes for donation don't sit around my house very long and make even more clutter. 

 Lots of bottles:

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

Now, some people may even choose to clear out a larger area for sorting. I always like to make sure my sorting area is a very clean, flat surface. Below is just a photo of sorting kitchen clutter.  

During the sorting process, you may also want to check for any items that you feel you no longer want or need anymore, in addition to any items that are broken or don't work anymore. I sort through everything and neatly place "like" items into categories before thinking about putting things back onto the shelf again.

Larger sorting area:

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

Next, after I sort through my items, I clean the shelf before I neatly place the items where I want them to be in the cabinet. I place all the "like" items that I decided to keep together onto the shelf.

I make a habit of keeping bigger, heavier objects on my bottom shelves. I also keep items that I don't use on a regular basis on a bottom shelf. I place most of the kitchen items that I frequently use in an appropriate, safe area where I have easy access to them.

For example, I keep my dinner plates and bowls on a shelf that is very easy to access in my kitchen. I keep my water glasses on a separate shelf, and also my small collection of coffee mugs are located on a separate shelf in my kitchen. I have my large, heavy mixer machine on my bottom shelf. I also have my heavy cast irons pots and pans on a lower shelf too. 

I happen to keep some of my vitamin supplements inside my kitchen cabinets. I use a clear plastic bin without the lid to hold similar vitamin categories together and then I neatly label the plastic bins, so I can easily read what the contents are inside each bin. There are many useful bins and containers for storage and organinzing the kitchen. Below are just a few examples.

 

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

 

Another example of organizational containers for the kitchen:

 

Photo Credits By:Rubbermaid Products

You probably noticed that each of the containers are nicely labeled. There are many helpful organizational products for the pantry, as you can see below.

 

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

Organized canisters below:

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

Lazy susans for cans:

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

 

A nice corner shelf:

 

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

Great cabinet storage and organization for pans and more:

 

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

 

And lots of modular containers that can be easily labeled:

 

 Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

So, maybe if you remember the kitchen cabinet photo at the very beginning of this post, you can check out the organized view of the kitchen cabinets now.

 

 Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

Additional view:

 

 Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

You can see how kitchen organization with easy access can help a kitchen become very functional for the busy homemaker. I have even started to use clear containers for a lot of my food in the refrigerator and I label each container with the name of the contents and the proper date.

 

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

I am even using lunch containers.

 

Photo Credits By: Rubbermaid Products

I hope you enjoyed our discussion about organizing and decluttering the kitchen cabinets. Now, you may want to check out some wonderful books about the topic of planning and preparing meals.

 

Video Titled "Clutter Video Tip: Organizing Papers by Going Vertical"

Video Titled "Do Something Every Day."

Video Titled "Take Time for Projects."

Video Titled "Make the most of your photographs."

Video Titled "Observe the One-Minute Rule"

7 Ways to Help Self

By Linda Samuels 

I often write and think about reasons and ways to enlist help from others. Recently, I was asked a question by business coach, Dr. Shannon Reece, which made me think about this from another perspective. In one of her blogs, she asked entrepreneurs, "What is your single best personal and creative example of 'ME time' that you use regularly, which allows you to completely step away from your business and recharge?"

While it's important to understand and identify when we should and need to ask for help, it's just as essential to know how to be our own source of help. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Re-Sync. There are times when we feel like we've gotten off track. Our electronic devices might be in sync, but we aren't. We may feel sad, agitated or anxious. How do you bring yourself back to center? Perhaps watching a comedy, writing in your journal, cooking a new recipe or riding your bike will work. Some like to keep a "Feel Good" file where they add encouraging letters, notes and inspirational quotes they've collected. When they need a lift, they pull out the file to shift their perspective.

2. Balance. A funny coincidence was that as I sat down to write this post with my cup of Yogi Tea, the hang tag on the tea bag was this quote, "Work, but don't' forget to live." This is a great reminder that while each of us has our "work," it's important to develop other parts of our self for a better life balance.

3. Organize. Creating perfect order is not necessarily what organizing is about. Organizing means creating just enough organization to support your daily needs. Small changes can make a big difference. It might mean organizing your make-up drawer, folding and putting away the clean laundry, reviewing and prioritizing your "to do" list the night before or unloading the dishwasher. Reigning in some of that daily chaos and stress can have positive affects.

4. Review the Basics. This may seem obvious, but simple things like drinking enough water, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising and getting enough sleep are important ways to take care of you. It's essential to listen to your body. Getting the basics in balance is key. We all have challenges. Exercising regularly is one of mine, which I continue working on.

5. De-clutter. Letting go can be difficult, but releasing clutter can be helpful. The clutter might be physical such as overflowing clothes closets, piles of magazines and catalogs or cabinets full of rarely used kitchen gadgets and appliances. The clutter could also appear in over scheduled calendars or too many thoughts running around our heads. Focus on simplifying your spaces, time and minds by allowing the unessential to be released. This is one of the most significant ways you can help yourself.

6. Reframe. There is a standard term used in the coaching industry, "NCRW," which means Naturally Creative Resourceful and Whole. This concept encourages coaches to view their clients in this positive, proactive way. While the coach is there to help guide and ask questions, it's the client and not the coach that is capable of discovering all the answers. Adopting this perspective shifts us away from trying to "fix" someone. If we start thinking about ourselves in this way, we become empowered to find our own solutions.

7. Rejuvenate. Going back to where I began, let's take another look at Dr. Shannon Reece's idea of "ME time." None of us have an unlimited supply of energy. We have to restore it or we'll have nothing left for our family, friends, business, activities or self. There are many ways to help refresh. Maybe sleeping late, spending all day in your pajamas, walking in the woods, sitting by the river, enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee or tea helps you to get your energy back. Finding ways to restore your reserves is the best type of help you can give your self.

Do any of these ideas resonate with you? What are your best ways to help yourself?

Compassionate, enthusiastic Professional Organizer, Linda Samuels invites you to visit http://www.ohsoorganized.com to get your free monthly motivational e-newsletter about organizing and live balance. Get your bonus "Organizing Tip 101" series upon sign-up.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Samuels