The kitchen is the centerpiece in any modern home. It is a room in which we spend a deceptive amount of time - and not all of that is spent preparing food! We also use the kitchen to socialize, hosting our friends and family, eating and doing other chores, such as laundry. It goes without saying that the kitchen is a functional space, so it must be kitted out for any eventuality. However, space is at a premium in most kitchens, and it is important to allow enough of it to comfortably use the room, whether you're preparing a meal, washing up, or simply enjoying a coffee with your nearest and dearest. Let's have a look at some pointers on how to organize and decorate your kitchen.
A Clean Sweep
First things first: it’s much easier to deal with any reorganization if you start with a blank page. That means getting rid of any extraneous items or unused devices. As with any clear out, leaving nostalgia at the door is essential, so recycle, donate or gift to make some room! Once you've had a ruthless declutter it's time to deep clean the kitchen. Having a properly cleaned space, with a spotless, sparkling refrigerator and polished, gleaming surfaces means that you begin how you wish to go on.
Storage
A major part of having an organized, uncluttered and wonderfully functioning kitchen is sorting out the storage. A rule of thumb to remember is this: you can NEVER have enough storage. There is literally no such thing as too much. Many kitchens have some dead space in the corners or other nooks and crannies. Use creative solutions to turn those areas into spaces to store appliances or use a lazy Susan to effectively store herbs, spices, or just about anything. Pull out racks or other similar solutions work brilliantly in cupboards and cabinets to maximize the space available. And consider hanging pans on a wall rather than confining them to cupboard space - space that could be much better utilized by something else. In fact, thinking outside the cabinet by using hooks, shelves, and other external storage tricks can also add to the look and feel of your kitchen, particularly if you have a fancy set off cookware to show off. Keep your kitchen looking extra organized by having uniform containers for, well, everything! Dried pasta and rice, herbs, lentils, sugar, salt, cereal, the list is never-ending. Empty the packets into airtight containers and stack!
Devices
We're spoiled for choice with kitchen devices and appliances. Whatever task you can think of in the kitchen, there is a device waiting for you. However, it's all too easy to get carried away, ending up with a kitchen that looks more like an appliance store. Pick your devices carefully, firstly for their functionality, and secondly to add an aesthetic quality to your space. Think about which devices you really need, and those which you are happy dedicating precious space to. Modern coffee makers are the big favorites here - combining one of our favorite drinks with classic, classy looks. Less visually appealing are things like blenders and food processors, so it might be worth stashing those away unless you use them all the time. A good-sized refrigerator is essential, and again, can be chosen with a decorative feel in mind. Do you have space for a freezer, or would it be better situated somewhere else in the house, such as in a garage or basement?
Zones
A great way to keep things organized and functional is to create zones for different activities in your kitchen. If cakes and pastries are your thing, why not make a baking station, with all your mixing equipment, flour, bowls and cookbooks in one place? Or dedicate an area to your daily cup of joe, with coffee mugs, beans, sugars and syrups next to the machine or cafetiere set. Of course, you'll need a cooking station around the hob and oven, with easily accessible cutlery and implements, with pans, chopping boards and ingredients close at hand. When it comes to cleaning, keep all your products, gloves, clothes and scrubbers under the sink, but well organized, so that they can be accessed at a moment's notice.
Refuse Center
Kitchens create a lot of garbage, which can be smelly, unsightly and off-putting. Nip these issues in the bud by creating a dedicated area to organize and dispose of waste. It’s best to organize this into categories, placing recycled glass, paper, cardboard, and plastic into separate sections, keeping garbage sealed off from its surroundings, in the interests of smell (and sight). If you collect food waste for compost or food recycling keep this in its own container as well, it makes disposing of it easier, especially when it begins to smell bad. Color code your kitchen refuse center for ease of use.
Lighting and Decor
Many of us have open-plan living spaces these days, and it is important to integrate the color scheme and 'feel' of the rest of the space in with the kitchen. The success of the decor in open-plan homes depends on the continuity between the design of each area. In terms of lighting, natural light should be maximized where possible. Having focused lighting on the workspaces is extremely useful when preparing or cooking food - and often the bottom of cabinets is the best place to light from.
The kitchen is a functional space, and its design and decor should reflect that. However, do not be afraid to infuse your kitchen with your personal flair and style, as functional can and should, be beautiful too.
