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Homes & Gardens
10 things tidy people always have in their kitchens – these will help clear mess, reduce clutter and maximize your space
By Ottilie Blackhall,
1 days ago
The kitchen is the hub of the home – whether it's for cooking up a storm, baking or gathering with loved ones for a catch up over dinner, it's used daily for all things food and family.
Because of this, it's one of the first areas of the home to become cluttered and chaotic. Without careful and regular upkeep, mess can creep in. We spoke to professional home organizers and cleaners to learn the 10 things tidy people always have in their kitchens so you can streamline and maintain yours.
10 things tidy people always have in their kitchens
1. Plastic bag storage
Cutting down one-use plastic means hanging onto bags that come into the home and reusing them when we're ready. However, storing them aesthetically can sometimes prove a bit challenging and you may find your stash doesn't quite have a home.
'This organizer is such a simple idea, but it keeps my kitchen drawers neat and clean, and allows me to devote more space for other items,' she says. 'Because you are consolidating all your different-sized plastic bags in one location, you don't have to store them in drawers, where they never really fit.'
2. Wire baskets
Wire baskets are useful anywhere around the home, but they come in particularly handy for keeping a kitchen tidy and organized, without breaking the bank.
'My tidy clients make the most of their space and have lots of organizing baskets,' says Justin Carpenter, founder of Jacksonville Maids . 'Most avoid clutter by using their space efficiently and giving everything a home. For example, they store hard vegetables and roots in wire baskets.'
These farmhouse basket bins can be used anywhere around your home, from organizing your dry food in the kitchen to sorting your toiletries in the bathroom.
3. Drawer organizers
To make your kitchen tidy from the inside out, your drawers need organizing, advises professional organizer and co-owner of Sorted Sparrow , Cynthia Murray. She says, 'People with tidy kitchens use drawer dividers to keep utensils and tools in place. We love the Pipishell Silverware Organizer on Amazon for its adjustable fit and sleek design.'
With eight compartments, this product is perfect for organizing even the largest of drawers, as it expands from 12.91 inches to 19.69 inches wide, with smooth sliding. It's a style of kitchen organizer that professionals always buy .
'One time, I kept all my utensils in a drawer, and grabbing the wrong one became a habit – never fun when you need a spatula but grab a whisk,' she recalls. 'Place this next to your stove so everything is easy to reach and organized. This will keep your counter clean and prevent clutter while cooking.'
'Having my cabinets and drawers organized is critical for keeping track of what I own,' says Dodson. 'This Spacekeeper Under Sink Organizer ( available at Amazon ) helps me quickly view what I have so that I don't buy the same cleaning supplies over and over again.
'In the past, I can remember having three or four of the same cleaner that took up space, and that is frustrating! So, I added this under sink organizer to keep my organized.'
'I've seen some clients who are able to save cabinet space for dishes by keeping their spices on a spice rack which is magnetically attached to their fridge,' says Carpenter.
It's a spice organization idea that makes your ingredients a feature of your kitchen, so consider decanting your spices into stylish jars before proceeding, for a unique take on kitchen décor.
This 24-pack of 4 oz high-quality glass spice jars comes with durable bamboo lids, multiple black and white labels, a white pen for darker labels and a handy silicone folding funnel for easy refilling.
7. Lazy Susans
Having a Lazy Susan as a feature of the home may be a thing of the past, but they're a clever way to organize cabinets for easy accessibility – they're pantry organizers that professionals always buy .
'To prevent clutter in cabinets, a Lazy Susan keeps spices and condiments within easy reach and well-organized,' says Murray.
Another bulky yet essential kitchen item are tea towels, which can be tricky to keep tidy.
Beatty says, 'Install a pull-out towel organizer beneath your sink so towels are hidden but easy to grab. This solution keeps towels out of sight and off the counters, reducing clutter and helping your kitchen stay looking neat.'
'My tidy clients store all their fresh produce in stackable bins and don't have plastic bags taking up space in their fridge,' says Carpenter, who recommends the 10 Pack Refrigerator Pantry Organizer Bins available at Amazon for 'people who want to steal this idea.'
Finally, a charging drawer is a perfect addition to a kitchen if you need to organize cables and keep them tidy.
'I added a charging drawer to my kitchen last year, and it's been amazing,' says Beatty. 'I used to leave my phone charging on the counter, but one day I spilled juice on it – lesson learned!'
'Install it in your island, cabinet or drawer to keep devices charged and your counter clutter-free,' he says.
FAQs
Where do I start in a messy kitchen?
If you want to tidy things up in this high-traffic room, start by tackling kitchen counters. Remove any items that don't belong in the kitchen. That way, you have space for items that do, without visual clutter and mess.
If you're looking for ways to reduce visual clutter in the kitchen , only keep items out if totally necessary. Paring back decor and introducing uniform kitchen items will also keep your space looking neat and tidy.
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