A couple of days ago I watched this video about kitchen decluttering:
I already was aware of the fact that I have allowed clutter to overtake my kitchen but the video gave me the push I needed to set aside time to tackle it.
This is what my kitchen should look like.
That photo was taken a few years ago but it’s a pretty good representation of what I consider acceptable. Now for the reality.
I didn’t even do the dishes before taking the photos so you could see it at it’s worst.
Now comes the part I’ve let get totally out of hand the past few weeks.
Anyone else hate dealing with mail and paperwork?
I can’t believe I’ve allowed so much stuff to collect. This isn’t really the norm for me. I suppose it’s a sign of how busy I’ve been but it’s driving me nuts.
I started working my way around the counters, putting away things that obviously belonged elsewhere and also asking myself if each item really needed to be on the counter. I have a fairly large kitchen with lots of counter space which is great but it also makes me a bit complacent about allowing clutter build up. I’m not a minimalist and while I admire someone who can keep her kitchen like this:
That’s not my style. I like my “stuff” but I do want it to be intentional. Also, I cook a lot so my kitchen is a workspace and I need it to be functional. For instance, I know there are people who put their dish drainer under the sink when not in use but honestly, I nearly always have something drying in mine. But I had allowed a lot of extraneous stuff to find its way to my counters and simply take up residence for no good reason.
So here are the “after” photos:
I had actually already worked on this area a bit last week. I edited the number of bottles of oils and vinegars I had out to just what would fit in the wire basket. Today I removed the large glass jar that was sitting here. It’s what I use to make sourdough starter but it’s been sitting there empty for months. If/when I make some again then I’ll put it back but for now, I’m liking the clear space. I also removed the magnets from the bread box. They are pirate things which I’m going to have David take to his office.
Excuse the poor lighting. To the right of the sink I had an empty Perrier bottle which used to be in the window sill with a piece of ivy I was rooting. I don’t know why I had just left it there empty. There was also a spray bottle with my homemade lavender linen spray. I had this brilliant idea of adding some dried lavender to the bottle but all that did was clog the sprayer. I kept meaning to filter it out. Well, today I finally did. Now it’s back in our bedroom which is where I do the ironing. I also threw out a set of scented hand lotion and hand soap. The hand soap was almost gone and the lotion was starting to smell a little “off”. I had already cleaned and re-decorated the windowsill last week but I did remove one item and put a couple of things there which had been elsewhere in the kitchen.
I found another place for my immersion blender as well as a few items back in the corner which weren’t really visible in the first picture. Then I put out a clean placemat and consolidated things a bit.
This is what took up most of the time. I had let mail and paperwork really pile up. I went through all of it, sorting, filing and throwing away.
The white mail sorter had lost its original purpose and was full of pictures, business cards, receipts, and all manner of stuff. Now I have the things David needs to deal with in the front slot in a binder clip.
This tray had become a catch-all. There were wine corks in the cups which are now in the container where they belong in our library (I save them and then give them to people who need them for projects). There were football cards, David’s birthday card from me (his birthday was in JUNE!), fortune cookies, envelopes for Netflix DVDs, a Christmas ornament (?) and several other items. I put each where it belonged or threw it away. I then put a clean cloth in the bottom, washed the tea set and now have everything arranged for tea.
So what do you think? It’s probably still too cluttered for some people’s taste but it’s so much better. There are several other areas of the kitchen I need to address but I’ll do those in another post.
Leslie says
This looks amazing aunt d! I am in the same situation and am slowly working on deck uttering my counters and this was the perfect inspiration I needed!
Love all your posts as always
Deanna Piercy says
Thanks, Leslie! I’ve got Part 2 ready to post tomorrow morning. I’m on a roll. Ha!
TerriC says
It looks like you have breathing, thinking, creating room once more.
Deanna Piercy says
It feels so good!
Tori says
My kitchen’s usually pretty good. But maybe that’s because it’s a small kitchen, so it’s got to stay reasonably organized if I want to be able to do anything in it?
The bedroom and living room aren’t too bad either, apart from the pile of still not unpacked boxes in the bedroom, and the broken microwave in the living room (don’t ask). The computer room is a bit of a mess though… I mean, it’s not a real mess, but it could do with a bit of de-cluttering and organizing. Most of it’s paperwork though. I hate paperwork! It has to be a two person job for us, because I’m the one who wants it organized the way it is (which is the way that works best for me when I need to find something for myself) but hubby has to read the paperwork and tell me what everything is in the first place, so I can put it where it belongs.
Melanie Riley says
Great job! I keep my kitchen pretty much clutter-free because I can’t stand clutter and we spend so much time in here! I deal with mail immediately – bills go in the bill drawer (buffet drawer in living room), magazines in magazine rack, junk mail goes in recycling bin.
Deanna Piercy says
That’s the sort of system I need to enforce around here. I told David that we have a new routine. He picks up the mail when he comes home each night so we are going to deal with it together.
Pam says
Super cute kitchen. I am always trying to figure the kitchen coutner out. I need my stuff, but then there is no room. I have very little counter space and am addicted to kitchen tools. Looking pretty good! Love the reds with whites.
Pam
Deanna Piercy says
Thanks, Pam. I spent about two years planning the remodeling of my kitchen and I’m really happy with the results. That’s just one more reason to keep it looking good. I’m kind of a nut about kitchen things, too. Fortunately I’m more likely to drool over them than actually buy them myself, though.