Clutter is the enemy of a calm, relaxed mind.
Behavioral experts have been telling us this for years; If you want to feel peaceful and at ease in your home, it needs to be tidy. It does not mean that you have got to fret about every little mess. If you have got young children or pets, dirt and grime are inevitable.
However, what it does mean is that everything should have its place.
The kitchen is no exception because this is a room which naturally attracts clutter. From pots and pans, utensils, toasters and fruit bowls; they can create a bit of mess and make it hard to enjoy the space.
The good news is that modern kitchen renovations include plenty of creative storage solutions. So, all you have got to do is keep a lid on everyday clutter. This guide is going to show you how.
1. Resist the Urge to Clean
One of the biggest challenges for cluttered homes is recognizing the difference between decluttering and cleaning. If you clean the kitchen first, you will use up all of your energy and end up putting other tasks off until you have got more time. It is an easy mistake, but you need to deal directly with mess and disorganization, rather than hiding it away in drawers and cupboards.
2. Stop Feeling Guilty
It is common for people to hold on to unused items because they feel guilty about producing waste. Whether it is a drawer full of weird and wonderful kitchen gadgets given as Christmas gifts or baking trays so rusted and tarnished that they sit in the bottom of the drawer, out of sight and out of mind; the difference is the same if it is unloved and neglected. Give unwanted items to a charity collection or a friend, where possible. Otherwise, bin them and focus on avoiding clutter in the future.
3. Ditch Out of Date Food
The percentage of people who use food, sauces, and spices which are well past their sell by date is always surprising. The date is on the packaging for a reason. If you haven’t used that Sicilian Toasted Salt in over a year because you aren’t sure why it is different to regular salt, bin it.
4. Store Essentials Out of Sight
When designing your kitchen, you probably spent time selecting suitable storage solutions. So, don’t let your cabinets, countertops and overhead units go to waste. Food does not belong on the floor and surfaces like the kitchen counter should, ideally, be clear when you are not using them. It is a good way to ensure that the room never looks messy and cluttered.
5. Make Use of Vertical Space
There is lots of potential in the space alongside cabinets and dressers.
For instance, if you have quite a cramped kitchen, swapping drawers of utensils and pots for hanging systems is one way to utilize your space better. You can pick up plastic or metal hooks or a rail for next to nothing. They are screwed or glued onto the side of cabinets, where your pots and pans can hang safely out of the way.
6. Put Thought into Purchases
Wherever possible, try to put real thought into new purchases.
In fact, picking more expensive items means that you must save up for longer and focus on just one new possession, instead of several. It also introduces a sense of quality and value to your home. Why buy a cheap light shade or wooden spoon which will need replacing in a year, when you could save up and treat yourself to something long lasting and special?
7. Stop Trying to Be Perfect
The truth is, most homeowners struggle to keep clutter in check.
It can be particularly difficult for families with young children. The secret to success is not perfection, it is commitment. Your bathroom will get messy, and standards will slip every now and again. The important thing is that you return to your clutter free routine quickly. It will relax your mind, soothe stress levels, and give you back control of your kitchen space.
