Simple strategies to create more storage space in the kitchen
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If home is where the heart is, then the kitchen is where that heart spends most of its time. Kitchens are where family and friends tend to congregate during holiday celebrations, and many a homework assignment has been completed at a kitchen island while parents prepare dinner.
The popularity of kitchens is reflected in the attention these rooms get from renovation-minded homeowners. Data from the National Association of Home Builders indicates kitchens are the most popular room to remodel. Upgrading kitchen storage is a popular renovation project, and it’s also one that has practical appeal. Adding more storage in the kitchen gives the room a more organized feel, which can make preparing meals more enjoyable and create space when hosting and guests inevitably congregate around an island. With those benefits in mind, would-be organizers can consider these strategies to create more storage space in the kitchen.
• Take stock of the spice rack. Creating more storage space does not necessarily have to involve tools like screwdrivers, hammers and nails. Spice racks can easily become overcrowded as amateur cooks expand their culinary repertoire. A crowded spice rack inevitably spills out onto the surrounding countertop. Take stock of the spice rack and discard any spices or seasonings you haven’t used in a while. This can create a more organized look and free up extra counter space.
• Make a digital cookbook. If your go-to recipes are filling a binder or two, those binders are almost certainly taking up precious storage space. Scan printed recipes and covert your physical recipe collection into a digital cookbook you store on a tablet.
• Install roll-out shelving in the pantry. Rollout shelving puts the entire pantry to use. Without such shelving, items are destined to be relegated to that nether region known as the back of
the pantry. Some items never emerge from this area, as cooks forget they’re there and then purchase duplicates, which inevitably contributes to storage issues. Roll-out shelving ensures all items in the pantry can be found and greatly reduces the likelihood that cooks will have lots of duplicate items taking up precious kitchen space.
• Remove single-use gadgets from the kitchen. Much like spices and seasonings vital to the preparation of specialty meals have a tendency to be used just once, kitchen gadgets that lack versatility have a way of gathering dust and taking up storage space. Whether it’s a popcorn maker, a seldom-used but space-needy wok or another gadget that’s used infrequently, if at all, store single-use gadgets in the garage or another area of the house where they won’t get in the way or contribute to a less-than-organized look in the room.
A handful of simple strategies can help anyone create more storage space in the kitchen.
Tips to avoid the buildup of clutter
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Clutter has a way of taking over a home. As time goes by, items that are not stored or discarded when they’ve lost their utility can gradually take over a space, creating a claustrophobic, cluttered feeling that can affect how people feel in their homes.
Clutter is not something to be taken lightly. A 2010 study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women who characterized their living spaces as cluttered or marked by unfinished projects were more likely to experience fatigue and depression than women who described their homes as restful and restorative. Though clutter is often discussed in terms of removing it, there’s also many ways to prevent it in the first place.
• Schedule weekly cleaning sessions. Cleaning is a chore few look forward to, and that reluctance may be a byproduct of infrequent cleanings. The less a home is cleaned, the longer cleaning sessions take when individuals get around to it. Weekly cleaning sessions can help prevent items from stockpiling and creating a cluttered look.
• Discard items when they’re no longer used. Holding on to items you no longer use will eventually contribute to the buildup of clutter. That’s a lesson parents know well, as kids outgrow toys, which can then pile up and contribute to overcrowded toy chests and play rooms. Adults also have a hard time discarding their own toys, including old devices. As kids outgrow toys, let them choose which ones to discard before they’re replaced with new items. The same goes for adults, who can wipe old devices like tablets, smartphones and laptops clean and discard them once they’ve purchased replacements.
• Make it easy to find stored items. Even the most well-organized person can fall victim to clutter if stored items prove difficult to find. When revamping storage systems, choose clear, stackable drawers so you won’t make a mess as you look for stored items you can’t find. Clear, stackable plastic bins and drawers make it easier to find what you’re looking for, reducing the likelihood that items will end up on the floor or strewn about. If you don’t want to replace existing storage bins, label them if they’re not clear to make it easier to identify what’s inside.
• Donate clothing. Much like kids’ toys and adults devices should be discarded when they’re no longer used, old clothes can be donated to create more storage space and prevent the buildup of clutter. Clutter is often described as something visible to the naked eye, but clutter can also build up in dresser drawers and behind closet doors. Periodically go through closets and dressers and remove items you no longer wear, donating them if they’re still in good shape and discarding them if they’re not.
Clutter can quickly take over a home. A proactive approach that emphasizes clutter prevention can make for a more relaxing and restful home.
How to organize a home’s interior
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The dawn of a new year marks a convenient time to turn over a new leaf. Much attention is paid to individuals’ intentions to eat healthier and exercise more at the start of a new year, but those goals are not the only ways to embrace positive change come January.
A quick look around a home’s interior may lead some to conclude that their home environments could benefit from a little less clutter and some improved organization. A more organized home may be easier to navigate and can even have a positive impact on residents’ mental health. In fact, a 2021 study published in the journal Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology found that women who cared for infants in cluttered homes experienced higher levels of physical stress than those whose homes were more organized. That study suggests an organized home is a less stressful environment, which itself can pay numerous dividends, as the Mayo Clinic notes chronic stress increases a person’s risk for various health problems, including anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, and weight gain, among others. With so much to gain from an organized home, individuals can consider these strategies to make interior spaces around the house less cluttered.
• Avoid procrastinating. A weekly, if not daily, routine that involves cleaning up spaces like the kitchen and living room can ensure a home is not overtaken by clutter before residents even realize it. Each day, go through the mail and discard papers like grocery store circulars and junk mail so they don’t pile up. Parents of school-aged children can organize papers kids return home with each day so all that homework and event announcements does not create clutter.
• Purchase an entryway shoe rack. It might seem simple, but an entryway shoe rack can set an organized tone in a home. Whether the primary entryway is through the front door or a side door, a shoe rack just inside the door can ensure shoes are not strewn about and reduces the chances that floors are muddied.
• Consider furniture that doubles as storage. Many people utilize storage furniture so common spaces like living rooms are not
overwhelmed by clutter. For example, a storage ottoman can hold blankets, pillows and other creature comforts so these rooms project a clutter-free vibe when not in use. Similarly, storage benches at the end of beds in each bedroom can help to establish a serene, clutter-free vibe, which can promote a better night’s sleep.
• Discard older items. Clutter can pile up when storage areas like closets, dressers, nightstands, and home offices fill up with items people tend to accumulate over the years. For
example, a linen closet can be overrun by bath towels that are rarely used, while nightstands can become junk drawers over the years. Periodically go through these areas and discard older items that are no longer used. These tasks won’t take long, but can free up ample space throughout the home.
These are just a handful of the many ways individuals can effectively organize their home interiors and reap all the rewards that such efforts produce.
When to bring in a professional organizer
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Skilled professional organizers have a unique talent and the expertise to create solutions for cluttered spaces and other overcrowded areas in a home. Although some may view hiring a professional to help them sort through their stuff as a luxury, in many instances relying on an organizer can be money well spent. That’s because a pro is specially equipped to set up areas that function smoothly and efficiently, which increases the chances spaces will remain organized after the initial job is done. The following are some reasons why a professional organizer might be warranted.
• Difficulty finding time: Procrastination is a major component behind why people do not get ahead of clutter. It’s easy to shrug off the job in favor of other tasks. Hiring an organizer is handing the job off to someone whose job it is to find the time to tidy up.
• Feeling overwhelmed: Many people admit that the idea of tackling organizational jobs puts them in a tailspin. Individuals who feel that organization has gotten away from them to the point that the job seems impossible can benefit from hiring an organizer. In addition,
those who have been diagnosed with a hoarding disorder and are ill at ease at the idea of getting rid of items likely will find a professional organizer can be a saving grace.
• Moving into a new space: New homeowners, renters or office workers moving into new spaces may want to start out on more organized footing. A professional organizer can help to lay a more tidy foundation.
• Never achieved organizing goals: Many people try to get their spaces in order, but fall flat time and again. For those whose spaces have never quite been organized the way they have wanted, a professional organizer can provide the tips and tricks that work. He or she will not do the work without you, but will guide you through the process.
• One space is problematic: Some people master organizing but still have one room or area they cannot conquer. This could be a garage or another space that tends to be the catch-all for other rooms. The right pro can help tame even the most out-of-control area.
Professional organizers can assist with various tasks and provide the extra motivation needed to tame clutter.
How to clear out home office clutter
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Home offices have garnered more attention in recent years. Restrictions implemented as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic forced many professionals to start working from home, which created a greater need for home office space.
Though millions of professionals have now returned to the office full-time, millions more have continued to work from home five days a week or are now working on a hybrid schedule. As a result, home office spaces have maintained their utility even as restrictions related to the pandemic move further into the rearview mirror.
Since home office spaces remain vital for so many, it’s important that these spaces are conducive to productivity. Conquering home office clutter is a step in that direction.
• Cut through the piles of paper. Home offices have a tendency to transform into paper depositories over time. Work files, notes, monthly bills, receipts, and junk mail can
quickly overwhelm a home office. Professionals who spend ample time working from home can resolve to cut through the piles of paper. Use a paper shredder to discard documents with sensitive information, such as bank statements and utility bills. Signing up for e-statements can prevent the piling up of paper in the future. Invest in a small file cabinet to store important personal and professional documents.
• Discard old devices. Old devices are another space eater in many home offices. In fact, a recent survey from Material Focus found that more than 20 million unused electrical items are currently hoarded in homes throughout the United Kingdom. Old smartphones and laptops that users are afraid to throw out can be wiped clean and discarded in adherence with local laws. Contact your local government to determine how to safely discard old devices rather than simply tossing them in the trash once they’ve been wiped clean.
• Buy a bigger bookshelf. Home offices often double as reading rooms, which makes
them vulnerable to clutter associated with leisure time as well. Books stacked in a corner or taking up space on your desk can create a cluttered look, but also compromise your ability to concentrate. A 2011 study from researchers at Princeton University published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that clutter can make it difficult to focus on a particular task. If books are strewn about your office, purchase a bookshelf that can hold them. Once books are shelved, the less cluttered space can make it easier to concentrate.
• Go digital. If space is limited, forgo traditional file cabinets in favor of digitizing important records and documents. Scan important receipts and statements and store them on a desktop or backup hard drive so they’re never out of each. This creates space and makes it easier and quicker to find important files.
Home offices can quickly become overwhelmed with clutter. Some simple strategies can help any professional transform their home offices into more organized spaces.
