Are you thinking of redecorating your kitchen? Or perhaps just doing something to get rid of the clutter, that somehow just seems unavoidable? Maybe you’re getting really into cooking and all of a sudden you don’t have enough room? Perhaps you just want to learn how to be frugal and how to set up your kitchen in the best way possible? Well, this article is the perfect one for you.
The importance of organization and habits
No matter how big or small your kitchen is, knowing how to organize it, is vital. However, you don’t have to do it immediately to perfection. Rather, it’s all about the small things, its about building daily habits to organize and maintain your room.
Standards
You should be aware of the kitchens you see in catalogs and your favorite TV shows impose many quite unrealistic standards. Neither of those is being used for the purpose of actually preparing food in them.
So, what should be considered the standards of a well-kept kitchen?
Let’s start with aesthetics. Even though it’s not the most important factor, it’s still pretty useful. It is what everyone will notice first, including yourself. Next would be the operative aspect or the functioning of this room. If your sink is positioned too far away from the stove, no doubt this will affect the meal preparation time, as well as make dishwashing less effective (e.g. you will put some dirty pots and plates on the counter, instead of the sink, therefore you will not rinse). The next one is the organization of all the items, from food to appliances, dishes, utensils, etc. This category would also include dealing with clutter and piles, and further sorting and labeling for easier search and managing items. Proper containers will do half of the work for you. Also, take good care of your appliances. They need to be regularly cleaned and maintained.
In the era of smart devices and modern technology, we cannot forget to improve ourselves as well. Research says acquiring a habit takes up to two months, and taking up several smart habits will inevitably improve and make your daily operations easier. Every process will actually become a routine, and you will do it with such ease. These are only some extra steps that won’t take more than ten minutes of your time.
Appliances
Appliances are the core of any kitchen. What comes to your mind when you think “kitchen”? Nowadays, probably because we live in a consumeristic society, people often overlook taking care of them. Nevertheless, regularly maintaining your appliances can immensely expand their lifespan. Not only that, but you will also avoid any unnecessary repair bills by simply cleaning your appliances regularly. This means all the parts, and with the right products. Also, pay special attention to any rubber parts and filters.
And here comes the golden rule
Don’t try to fix an appliance by yourself! If you are not an expert, even with the help of an article or YouTube tutorial, the options are very limited. You will probably just end up with a repair bill even larger than it would originally be. Even worse, you might irreparably damage the appliance, or even hurt yourself! So, definitely get some help, and try to keep it local. If you are in Sydney, contact good services regarding appliance repair from Sydney. This isn’t just about local pride but rather, you get to meet a person face to face. Having an expert from the manufacturer travel for hundreds of miles just to reach will be expensive, and won’t really get you better service.
Advice and tips
1. Switch to doing one chore a day
Instead of letting cleaning take up most of your Sunday, switch to doing one chore a day. This will largely help with motivation. Knowing you only need to mop the floors, instead of doing the “spring cleaning” every time, sounds much better. There are two strategies to this approach, so you can either choose a chore a day or dedicate a certain amount of time for cleaning. For best results, start small, with only 15 minutes or so.
2. Find a place for every item
This might sound extremely simple, but many people are not following this rule, with the end result being clutter. In order for your kitchen to be uncluttered, designate a place for storing every item you own. The rule is – put the things where they belong! I cannot emphasize how important and time-saving is not leaving things all over the place. Just put the rinsed pots in the dishwasher, clean plates in the cabinet and the food you are not using in the refrigerator! This is an extremely important part of the organization, and at some point, you will be able to put items away with your eyes closed.
3. No excuse for not rinsing the dishes
Unless you are late for a meeting or a bus, there is no excuse for not rinsing the dishes! Washing will be a piece of cake, even if done later, and in case you own a dishwasher, your filters will be grateful. Try not to lose any time while cooking, you can rinse and wash while the rice is boiling. There are many beneficial factors in doing this, including lower consumption of water and electricity.
4. Clean after yourself
If the largest surfaces in the kitchen are clean and shiny, even a bit of clutter won’t look as bad. Wipe your countertops every day, wash your sink every time you wash the dishes, and mop the floors at least twice a week. These are essentials when it comes to aesthetics.
5. Check the expiration date
Do a daily check of the expiration dates of your food. Do not overload your fridge and cabinets, so you are able to see all the items when you open the door. This will ensure early catching any mold or food residue, making it easier to clean.
Conclusion
The keyword for all of the mentioned advice is maintenance. Try creating several zones in your kitchen, preferably organized by priority and use. You can even do the cleaning by zones, just do the task you have started. Then, if still in a mood, do another one. Remember, one step at a time. Find some creative ways to store things on previously unused space, e.g. hook them up on the wall, use magnets and rods. Think of a system that works for you!