Here’s a peek into my kitchen and all its problems. I hope you’ve got some good solutions to my kitchen dilemmas.
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Growing up I thought that the only spotless kitchens were those you saw on television. Ours was a small kitchen with little storage space. Stuff crept out on the counters because there was no other option. While it may have been “clean” in a germ sense, it was cluttered. I didn’t realize until I was in junior high or high school that other people had clutter-free kitchens. I’m not sure that all those families did much cooking in their kitchens, but their kitchens were showrooms, nonetheless.
My kitchen is “lived in”, as was my childhood home’s kitchen. There’s a lot of cooking done in my kitchen. Whether it’s me or one of my family members or many of us at one time, there’s almost always some food prep going on in our kitchen. Also some messes. I’d like to change the latter. I’d like one of those pristine kitchens: a well-used, but also tidy, space.
After cooking in some pretty tiny kitchens in France this fall, I came home with a new appreciation for the ginormous space I have for cooking. But, I also realized that it needs some improvements.
I tend to stay away from kitchen stores and magazines because I want to be content with what I have. Looking at “bigger and better” doesn’t help me do that. Improving how I care for what I do have does.
However, sometimes a girl needs a little help. Since I can’t have you all over for coffee, though that would be quite fun, I thought we could chat about some of my problem areas. Maybe you struggle in the same way? Or maybe you’ll have a great solution.
This is real life in my kitchen.
(Excuse the iPhone pictures, but I get up at 4 am each morning. This is the best I could do.)
This is what our kitchen looks like in the morning when I get up. It’s not a disaster, but it’s not the Donna Reed kitchen of my dreams, either. There are clean dishes on the counter, overflow from the dish drainer last night. Cabinets are continually left open. That lower cabinet is where we keep the kids’ drinking glasses. It’s perpetually left open.
Perpetually. Insert angry eyebrows emoticon here.
Here are some of my problem areas.
Maybe you can help?
Piles of produce – We get a lot of fresh produce. Some goes in the fridge; some in the pantry. The items that I don’t want to forget about, get left on the counter. I need a better solution.
Kid clutter – Self-explanatory.
Stained grout – This has been one of my most embarrassing parts of my kitchen. This white grout is impossible to keep clean. I can talk about it now because we have a plan to remedy it. Stay with me.
Too much stuff – I know some people have nothing on their counters. I’d like to get to that spot, but I’m not there. I moved the utensils out of a drawer because the drawer was just too congested. I cook a lot and actually use all these utensils on a regular basis. Not sure if it’s different storage or decluttering or both that needs to happen.
Flour bag – See the opened flour bag? I have two bins of flour, but no bins for other varieties. I need to buy a few more. Any favorite in your cupboard?
New grout! – Last weekend my husband removed the old grout from this section of counter and replaced it with shiny, new white grout. He’s got an internal debate with himself (he’s a general contractor) about which kind of grout he wants to use throughout the kitchen. There are different kinds with different benefits. I’m letting him work that one out on his own. I’m just thrilled to have a countertop with no shame!
Cleaning supplies – broom and vinegar spray. They seem to travel quite a bit. They need a home.
So there we have it: this week’s edition of Real Life in My Kitchen. If you’ve got solutions to my problems, I’d love to hear them. Feel free to share your own kitchen challenges as well.
Kristi
Lots of great suggestions already. I have just a couple of ideas that have helped me, but here is my disclaimer— there are exactly half the people in our house, probably half the counter space, and I do not write cookbooks. =) Awhile back when my dishdrain needed to be replaced, I decided to just put a dishtowel out for things that had to be hand washed. I found that it was too easy to let things pile up in the dishdrain and it became another storage area. When dishes are on the towel, I dry most of them and put them away. I would also agree with those who suggested not storing knives on the countertop. I prefer a drawer for that. I also live in an area of the country where I can’t keep flour out. I freeze it, then put it in a storage container. And, perhaps you could store some of your less frequently used utensils in your pantry.
Janel Piersma
Okay some ideas…
* DISHES – I know your kids have kitchen chores, but how is “washing dishes” divided up? Does one wash and one put away? If so, maybe the one who puts away should work alongside the washer so the dishes get put away right away. I now that I breathe a sigh of relief when my dish rack is empty.
* COUNTER STORAGE – I know that you might want to keep some stuff on the counter. Check out World Market — I think they have some pretty inexpensive glass or ceramic canisters that would be pretty on the countertop. I use glass jars — like this — http://www.worldmarket.com/product/glass-storage-jar-with-aluminum-lid.do?&refType=&from=fn for my flour, etc. I don’t keep them on the countertop, but I think they’d look nice…especially since you use flour so frequently. Because they’re clear, I can see how low I am and restock when needed.
* END OF THE DAY CHECKLIST – Maybe come up with a checklist of ideally how you’d like your kitchen to look before the lights go out at the end of the day. Have each of your people check off their chores and make sure it is done at the end of the day. You could even assign things like “pick up toy clutter” and “put away cleaning supplies”. If the end of the day is writing time for you or you’re busy with other things, assign one of the kids to be the “foreman” in the kitchen to make sure it all gets done.
Janet
My husband and I like to watch some of the decorating shows on TV. I envy the large, spotless, clutter-free kitchens, but we laugh every time the homeowners say they rarely cook. It seems that the smaller the kitchen the more cooking that takes place in it.
Kids stuff: I have a lower cabinet where the kids keep all their art supplies and other toys they use in the kitchen along with their aprons.
Produce: We have a meat platter that goes with our everyday dishes. I keep it on the counter with onions and other produce that do not do well in the fridge.
Knives: I would suggest a smaller under counter mount block with fewer knives – just the essentials. I am not a fan of the magnetic strips.
Jayne
Your husband is awesome for replacing the grout in the kitchen! Until you get it all done, or in case you have issues in the future, here is what worked wonders for me in our bathroom. I had tried Ev.Ry.Thing I could buy to clean the grout with no luck, but a combo of baking soda and peroxide and a little scrubbing did the trick about a million times better. And if you get your kids to shut the cabinet doors, let me know how lol!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
I think most of us dream about having a well-used, but picture-perfect kitchen. I’m not sure if this would just be moving the clutter, but I keep my fresh fruit in a bowl on the table. My kids also keep their water glasses at their spot at the table. That might just be shifting your problem to another area of the house, but it works for us. Just think…one day our kids will be grown up and moved out and we will have our Donna Reed kitchens, but then we’ll miss the kids, right? 🙂
Debra Marie
Your kitchen is clean and lived in.It is obvious you love your family and your home. there are a few things which can be done which would help you. I believe the goal would be to make life easier for you. look at your knives and determine those that you can not live without. have them sharpened. put a heavy duty magnet strip on wall under cabinet use this for your favorite knives. Pack up extras and put in storage. go through all your cabinets and consolidate as much as you can. pack everything else and store. you can purchase wire racks at lowes for putting under those too deep shelves allowing you to make extra shelves in your cabinets. buy strip of hooks made for hanging coats to put on wall and hang those kitchen utensils you use everyday. of course near stove or one for baking area and one for cooking. the top of fridge is perfect flour and sugar and bulk items you can buy gallon mason jars very cheap. and label with chalk board labels. if you want them pretty wrap raffia around lid. put a clay plant pot on stove for wooden and other storing implements. hang hooks under cabinet for cups next to coffee pot area. these are just a few simple ideas. basically consolidate and simplify items so you have more storage space in cabinets which will immediately make room for items on counter to be stored. Introduce a color that you love in a few little items tea towels pot holders knick knack etc. this changes it up and makes everything look new and bright. have fun I love looking at ways to make my home easier and more efficient so I can cook and have room to be creative and make a huge mess. which is not too hard to clean up after. Have Fun!
Jessica Fisher
Thanks for your encouragement! I appreciate that.
Debra Marie
it is charming that your children hang out with you and help you in the kitchen. I keep toys in small pretty wicker basket under my kitchen table. they know to keep them in there and those are the only toys permitted unless traded.
Stephanie M.
Unfortunately, the more counter space you have, the more room for clutter. As others said, I would rid myself of one of the knife holders. Don’t store any kind of food on the counter. Put lemons and limes away in the fridge. I have my flour and sugar stored in OXO containers in the pantry but any kind of air tight container will do. The coffee station is good; I have one myself; but get rid of the cleaning supplies. Put all produce in the fridge or in a large basket on the kitchen table to make it a decorative thing, including veggies and bananas. Narrow your cooking utensils down to what you absolutely need on the counter and only have one crock for them; not two. Put the rest in the drawer – what you don’t need on a daily basis. Put dishes away in cabinets. If you have too many, consider a garage sale. I find myself downsizing as I get older; it really feels good to let go of things I really don’t need. Don’t keep plastic containers and kids toys on the counters. Strive to keep you counters as empty of unnecessary items as possible. If you want to pretty up your counters as you take uneeded items off, consider a faux plant or a real one if light permits. Just keep as much space as possible on countertops. The less “stuff” on the counters, the more orderly things will look.
Trish
I also have mice, and can leave no food out,, except like you, things like winter squash, and in the summer, baskets of fresh picked tomatoes. I just have to say that you seem to do really well, and maybe a clutter free kitchen just isn’t in the cards at the moment. Six kids, and you cool from scratch? and you already get up at 4 am? I am in awe of your accomplishments!!! I am glad others are helpful with advice – I stink at organization, so all I can offer is encouragement. I am very very impressed with what you accomplish, and love to read your blog.
Danielle
For a few years now, each kid was assigned a water bottle to be used for only water. Picked up a 3-pack of these at Costco:
http://www.amazon.com/Contigo-Striker-Bottle-14-Ounce-Magenta/dp/B00EB8KMLO/ref=pd_sim_k_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0FDYH0B3TWBGR9JM85D1
I think the 3-pack was around $20. Definitely worth it to watch out for it at Costco.
Leigh
*What about a wall hook for the spray. Pretty close to where it is, but off the counter. I use an empty method spray bottle because it is prettier.
*Putting groups of things on trays helps me. If nothing else it makes it look tidier and easier to wipe the counter.
*I love the kitchen rails with hooks and baskets from Ikea. They have moved through several houses with me.
*I also saw someone who had a full shelf all the way around the backspash where she kept the most used dishes, cups etc. I seen shallower versions too.
*A shelf above the toaster oven (with enough clearance) would get stuff off the counter and meld visually.
*The baskets right on the back splash could help too. This sort of thing http://www.pinterest.com/pin/381187555931340074/
*For the cups. I like the tray you see on pinterest with labels for everyone and their water cup lives there.
*Utensils. I have a crock for tall ones and a shorter crock (actually a flower pot) for shorter ones.
*For the knives the magnetic strips scare me, but mostly because I am a clutz. I traded the nice one that came with my set for this one, which can hold my extra knives. http://www.leevalley.com/US/garden/page.aspx?p=60774&cat=2,40733,40738&ap=1
Ginnee Hancock
Wish I could share photos. I keep my cornmeal, flour, beans, lentils, rice, oats, flax seed….stuff like that in large clear juice jugs with colorful lids. I have 25 of them, with tight fitting lids, lined up on an open shelf, used as canisters. I keep the lids of them on backwards, but that is just me. On the counter I have various containers, some are bamboo segments that we cut from our bamboo, one holds silicon spatulas with the big end sticking colorfully out, one holds commercial sized cooking spoons, mashers with big end up,… stainless big stuff, one holds knives, another holds kitchen scissors, peeler, stuff that cuts or sharpens and is not very tall.
I cook…all meals everyday and make all baked goods including bread for the family. Baking is done in a rocket oven that we built. We are a farm family…something is always being cooked. We have no dishwasher, nor refrigerator, live way off-grid, with limited power which we make, in Costa Rica. http://www.costaricamountain.blogspot.com I do have a commercial stainless kitchen and my husband helps wash.
I need to have fast access to my tools, which is why I keep them available, organized and in sight. It is why I dry and put away..so I can find my stuff even in the dark My container system works for me, the best system I have found so far, and very affordable. We are an hour’s drive away from the nearest store, don’t want to run out of anything, and we shop for dry goods twice a month. We eat fresh from the garden, and butcher our own meat, chicken, cows, pigs, and tilapia. My cold food is kept in a big fishing cooler, we keep a freezer in town and make ice there. Wore the hinges off the cooler. This is the longest picnic I have ever been on, can’t remember what year I last has a fridge.
Those magazine kitchens…those people don’t cook, they warm up take out.
Faith
What about a knife magnet? I have one on the wall under my cabinets and it frees up a ton of counter space.
Jessica Fisher
What kind is yours? I’m reading reviews and it sounds like they vary and can damage your knives.
Holly
Several years ago I bit the bullet and spent money on the large Tupperware bins for me flour and sugar. I now use xx – large Mason jars (1 L?), for regular sugar, but I still use the bins for variits flours and powered and brown sugar. I like that they are large enough to scoop from without making a mess. I also need to pull everything out of my cabinets and pantry and purge and re-organize. I have too much stuff on my counters. I also have a kitchen that just doesn’t flow, even though it is really big. Maybe I will get some good ideas here!
Debbie
Here’s the link 🙂
http://www.thekitchn.com/look-a-clever-way-to-use-the-inside-of-a-kitchen-cabinet-door-kitchen-inspiration-186793?crlt.pid=camp.QXE6GKwHM83o
Debbie
A Pinterest tip that I use that may free up some drawer space for you (which could help put more things away) put little hooks on the inside of one cabinet door. Then hang all meauring cups and spoons. Easy to access and put away, don’t get lost in drawers and it looks cute. 🙂
Liz C
Some things that have worked for me, and that I see in your pics:
Trim down the overall load. There are two knife blocks… consider going to just one, with all your best knives. There are plates stored on the counter… find an under-counter home for them by clearing out excess of other items. We trimmed down our plates, bowls, cups, and glasses to twelve—so we can go two meals without doing dishes, or have one big meal with guests, but everything stores on two shelves in one smallish cabinet, and doesn’t overflow anywhere. Skim down on the cooking utensils… one spatula, two spoons, etc. Or, limit it to ONE utensil pot (I love your crockery one!) Setting reasonable bounds.
Visual continuity is a big, big deal to me, so we did take a plunge years ago and replace all our mis-matched dishes with that one-dozen set from a restaurant supply store. They have lasted forever, and I can replace bits as I need to, without a big expense. But it also means that I’m find with open storage (for instance, we could take the doors off our cabinets, and I wouldn’t freak out), because everything stacks well and looks the same. Like I said, it’s a big deal to me. 😀
For flour storage, we have large food-grade buckets with “Gamma Seal” lids on them. For smaller quantities, I re-use large glass pickle jars (Nalley makes a half-gallon size that we can go through in a little under two weeks!) as pantry storage jars for a lot of dry items. That lets me keep them on open shelving without feeling cluttered, as the size/shapes are all the same, just the contents vary. Right now I have them filled with cocoa mix, grits, groats, powdered sugar, noodles, brown sugar, raisins, etc… I really love storage with “found” reused jars. 🙂
Produce: you might need to add better mesh-bowl/basket storage for the array of gorgeous options. We do like a nice big bowl for “free access” fruits; on your island, it’s still accessible, but makes for décor as well as functional access, and then it doesn’t clog the back space on the countertops.
Is the toaster oven in constant use? If not, dump it entirely. (My husband wants one. I maintain that with the quantities we need for six people, it’s a waste of counter space—we use the oven oven.)
I love the little stacking mug/saucer rack, but it looks like (from the mug of tea right in front of it) they don’t get regular use… so that’s a candidate for either getting rid of all the other mugs so people use the racked mug set, or getting rid of the racked mug set and using the others exclusively.
A lot of kitchen function is habit. People have to get in the habit of not putting things in spots “temporarily.” Put them all the way away. Shut the cabinets and drawers entirely, etc. As the Mom, I get to be in charge of the Standard Of Work… and hold my little minions (ages 18 to 7, but they start helping with kitchen stuff about age 2) to that standard. If it’s not done all the way, it’s not done. They get to come back and finish. Every single time.
One of my favorite habits is “Putting the Kitchen to Bed”–ALL dishes get put away, all clutter taken out, all cabinets shut, etc, in 10 minutes right before I go to bed—or before the kids go to bed. 🙂 I get up to tidy. It starts off the day well.
Sometimes, too, taking EVERYTHING out of the cabinets and pantry can be a huge help. Group all the like-items together, and then re-think the entire space for what really works for your family!
karen b
just a thought…..training your kids to do different chores in the kitchen so they know how to do all is great idea….just carry it over in all areas…….”training” them to close cabinets, NO toys in kitchen, a place for everything & everything in its place, ………… we have clutter sometimes also & not as many children but we started training in a much smaller kitchen & at a very young age (as soon as they could walk) (house very small when children were younger so we had to) & most of the time clutter has been elimanted when we moved to a larger home w/ larger kitchen…… good luck now that they are older 🙂 I think it looks good considering their are 8 people in it 🙂 just wanted to share what worked for us
Carol in CT
Here are my 2 cents:
-have a box/basket on the floor, out of the way where kids are to put their toys. Zero tolerance for toys in kitchen (safety issue)
-why 2 knife blocks? Can you down size to one? better yet, have a wall mounted knife magnetic strip installed under the cabinet, near a prep station
-get the dishes washed, dried and put away before going to bed. My day starts wiith a cleaned up, ready to go kitchen at 5 a.m.
-cull thru your cabinets and downsize what you have stored there-donate what you don’t use. Only use it for the holidays? store it elsewhere, it’s taking up valuable realty space. Then, get the stacking cups/saucers off of the counter.
-I also suggest creating a bfst command center: toaster oven, what looks like an expresso machine and is that an electric water kettle? (do you need that?) together. Cups, bfst dishes should be stored above, and coffee/tea/cocoa making supplies not far away.
-extra produce such as the Winter squash should be in the pantry. Worried you’ll forget it? make a weekly if not monthly meal plan and add “cook acorn squash” to the menu as a reminder
-take a hard look at the contents of those 2 utensil crocks-do you use all of those DAILY? if not, store them.
-cleaning products need to be stored away before you shut off the light and go to bed
-place the bananas and other fruit on the kitchen table
-odd flours (not bread or AP for example) are most likely not used daily-get them in a plastic ziplock and freeze for long term storage
HTH
Emily
I know you’re a renter, but are you able to paint your kitchen? It wouldn’t *directly* help with the clutter problem. But I think all the white makes the clutter more pronounced. Obviously you would still want to take steps to reduce the clutter (there are some super helpful suggestions here!) but I’ve always found that a little color on the walls can go a long way to help a room feel more put together.
I would also second what someone else said about the mismatched containers, etc. adding to the cluttered feel. I’m sure you don’t want to drop a ton of money on matching everything. But sometimes having things that coordinate with each other and are being used for their intended purpose can help.
Cindy
I agree, lots of good suggestions. Mine may echo some but would inlcude:
Get rid of at least one knife block. I have the magnetic strip thing and love it but use it more to keep knives or other small utensils handy while cooking rather than long term storage. One block, rest in a drawer when not in use.
Get a larger produce keeper but I would go with something splurgy that you truly love because it will help offset the annoyance of the everpresent factor.
Yes, take off the door of the perpetually open cabinet OR put a strong self closing thing if you really don’t want it off.
Flour stored in the freezer will kill the bugs in flour which are super annoying….I’m in the southern US so maybe it’s a regional issue? Not sure but I have read you only need to freeze for a couple of weeks then it’s fine on the cabinet so that is what I do and no problems since. I use clear glass (gallon) containers for flour and sugar but some just stays in bags, out of sight though.
My husband confiscates all things from the kids he finds out of place like in the kitchen. This is very effective.
We got rid of the dish drainer recently. I hated to do that…we have no dishwasher (unless you count the children) and stuff sits in the sink, which turns out to be less annoying for us personally. Don’t be afraid to change things up and see if it works better…I still have the drainer downstairs, just in case I want to bring it back! 🙂