how to stay organized | a look at my kitchen
today we’re continuing with our summer retrospective. yesterday, we reposted your favorite blog post from May: a day in the life | my living room refresh. apparently, you all like seeing my home, because your favorite post from June was how to stay organized | a look at my kitchen. it’s not totally surprising, though, as many of us spent a majority of our summer at home.
hopefully everyone was able to catch up on those home organization projects that we never seem to find time for under normal circumstances. but at the same time, i personally am looking forward to fall. not only am i looking forward to cooler days here in Athens, but Georgia football is about to start up again. and although we won’t be able to go to the stadium, i am looking forward to tailgating in my backyard. what are you all looking forward to most this fall?
a look at my kitchen
happy Monday, ladies! as my regular readers will know, home design and decor is one of my favorite things. a key component to this that often feels like a chore is organization. to me, organization comes before decorating because having a well organized home is the foundation of home design and decor. it provides the blank canvas that makes home decorating such a pleasurable experience. we’re starting a new series this week: how to stay organized. today, we’re doing a deep-dive into my kitchen.
outfit of the day
what to wear when you’re tackling chores around the house? i am wearing a comfortable outfit today – white (similar) relaxed chinos from Talbots and a sleeveless drapey top from Anthropologie. and to add a little bohemian panache to this ensemble, a woven belt also from Anthropologie.
(similar) relaxed chinos | top | belt
while it’s not the outfit i’d wear if i were tackling a big project, it’s perfect for reorganizing some cabinets and drawers in my kitchen. i can reach high up or down low comfortably.
kitchen organization
today we are tackling the kitchen and pantry. this room feels most like a chore for many of us when it comes to organization. so many gadgets, utensils, spices and canned goods get shoved to the back and forgotten about for who knows how long. but trust me, opening those cabinet doors to a clean, organized storage space will reinvigorate you and relieve a cloud of stress you may not have even realized was there.
i don’t have a proper pantry, so storage in my kitchen can be very challenging. it’s as important as ever for my cabinets to be well organized, so i can see everything that’s inside without having to root around for something. i employ a few handy shelving items to help. I keep my dry and canned goods in a blind corner cabinet and a two-tiered lazy susan means that i don’t have to reach far into the corner for that can of chickpeas.
in my spice cabinet, i use a tiered spice rack so i can clearly see my spices (organized alphabetically) – even the ones in the back are clear and obvious.
thoroughly weeding out what is outdated or mostly empty will open things up dramatically, giving you the opportunity to think about what shelving or organizational tools you’ll need to get. many dry spices do not have the shelf life you may imagine they do, most should be used within 6 months of opening for optimal freshness.then the fun part of rounding out your spice collection or your can food stores can begin. so be brave and toss out that 3 year old jar of marjoram and replenish.
utensil drawers can become a nightmare. they tend to resemble a junk drawer if not regularly tended to and especially if everything is thrown in without a caddy of some sort to keep things organized. and even then, it’s worth reassessing the usage and frequency of usage of many kitchen gadgets and utensils. like cleaning out a closet, consider the last time you used an item and if you can’t remember the last time you used it, make it a goodwill donation or toss it if it’s in bad shape.
with just a few strategic organizational pieces, you can transform your pantry cabinets into a source of inspiration and calming ease of use. what are your biggest organizational hurdles? i am here to help! i have rounded up a collection of fantastic organizational items to help get you started to to inspire you to go a step further in your kitchen organization.
here are many items to get you started. here’s to monday ladies, let’s make it a great week!
Loved this post. When the pandemic hit, this was the first thing I did. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt. I also found out how many cans of diced tomatoes I had, 12, why? It was because they were spread out in different places. It ended up saving me money and expanded my recipes in rotation. This was a great addition to your posts.
Beth, this couldn’t come at a better time as I am trying to declutter my house. I’m looking forward to your other tips. My closet and bathroom are two big clutter areas. I’m working on it though. Thanks for sharing.
One of my favorite organization hacks in the kitchen has been the snack cupboard accessible to my 7 year old (just wrapped 1st grade). There is a healthy snack caddy, and a treat snack caddy. I replenish them every 2 weeks or so. Every day she helps pack her school lunch by picking out 2 from the healthy, 1 from the treat. She gets choice, moderated so it’s not 3 oreo packets every day!
I also love stoneware crocks by the stove for my most used utensils, one for rubberized/silicone, one for wood/bamboo. Can storage where as one is removed, another rolls forward (for the things I buy in bulk – chicken stock, tomatoes, coconut milk). And finally, plastic caddies or small cookie sheets for in the fridge. If something leaks, much easier to clean those (dishwasher!) than take out a whole shelf!
You look great, even barefoot! I was pleased to know you go w/o shows in summer, like me.
I found the little flat turntables work well in refrigerator shelves as well, to hold less-frequently used tiny jars.
Thanks,
Linda
Love the new organizational postings! Please keep them up, so helpful!
Some good ideas there. I love see through on canisters or boxes. I also make good use of mud pans that are meant for Sheetrock hangers but work so well for little packets of seasoning blends. You can’t organize clutter so getting rid of duplicates is a good idea. I love the rollout shelves.
That pink top is so pretty!
Oh Beth, too funny, we both have the same pulls on the kitchen doors. I received strange looks about the library pulls, but I have always loved them.
Love the organization tips. I have started doing the doing the Marie Kondo style detoxing the cupboards of only keeping what really makes you happy, so your tips are a welcome and timely fit!
Love your hair slightly back, like that too. It looks great in a bob. And of course ‘the question’ – lipstick shade/brand please. That is such a bright joyful colour. I’m curating my lipsticks down to 3 and a gloss – hence all the questions. Stay safe and enjoy the summer🥂
I too love to organize so this information is great. Keep up this great topic.
Lots of good useful storage solutions there. I agree–organizing the kitchen is work. I think the key is always keeping items in the same place so that you always know where they are. I don’t have a pantry either, and although we have lots of cabinets, I also have lots of dishes. One of my weaknesses! That and linens. So I’m careful where I put things. And I only put things I rarely use on top shelves. I do need to go through all my spices–God knows I’m sure I do have some several-years-old marjoram in there! 😉
Really enjoying your blog! Inspired to spruce up my wardrobe- jewelry and accessories. 73- not done being a girl yet!
Lovely outfit today – your top especially attractive BUT
Beth you have a kettle! how brilliant
-you are the first American I have seen with one so needed of course to brew tea. American friends we spent Jan /Feb with in Venice, Florida could not believe that we missed a kettle and were not happy with the microwave to make tea.
Have done my cupboards too during lockdown.
I love organizing closets, rooms etc.
it is actually a pleasant thing for me….. call me odd 🤪 It is much like putting a puzzle together only it is a dynamic functional puzzle.
My “go to” spot is Container Store
BTW – I tried the Witt and Wisdom jeans in black at your recommendation – what a find!!! Thank you much!
Container Store favorite piece:
Turntable with higher sides. Y
Things do not fall off. I have one in my refrigerator, under kitchen sink, and under each bathroom vanity!
Hi Beth
This post makes me want to clean out my kitchen cupboards. It is a good time to clean out my lazy Susan and pantry shelf during this pandemic. My husband likes to help with this, too. I found your post about Mr. Style truly moving and raw. You are a brave, strong woman. I can’t believe it has been a year since his passing and I continue to think of you and your family every time I read your blog. I appreciate it so much! It gives me some semblance of normalcy at this time. Please keep writing and posting. Hugs!
Joanie
I am always looking for better ways to organize. Thank you for this helpful posting.
Hello Beth,
Every email l receive from you gives me so much inspiration. Interestingly l have just reorganised my kitchen cupboards and pantry.
We are in lockdown 4(severe) here in Melbourne, Australia and l am remote learning, teaching fashion and textiles from home to 180 students. It has been an amazing challenge but l am enjoying it. I just love all the “fashion” that you present, and l certainly appreciate all the time and effort you put into creating these amazing topics. When we return to the “new ” normal l am so looking forward to creating a new wardrobe. Again “thank you” for the amazing inspiration you give to so many. I would to have the opportunity to meet you in person one day.
Stay safe
Elizabeth Keenan
Beth – thanks very much for answering my comment of 8/28/20. I rarely look at Facebook so didn’t realize what you were doing over there…my apologies. I need to keep up and check it out. I have an account, so I better check it and see what’s happenin’!
Cindy