| Cleaning out and finding space in your kitchen cabinets | | | | locate an item. If you have more than a few of these |
| can be a hard, trying experience. There seems to be | | | | boxes, I recommend labeling them with magic marker |
| so many items, and just no where left to put them! | | | | on the side or top to be able to locate certain groups |
| There are several methods you can incorporate into | | | | quickly. You can expand upon this idea by decorating |
| your kitchen to save shelf space, store items easier, | | | | the boxes by gluing fabric to them, wrapping them in |
| and save time searching for the right thing. And there | | | | countertop sticky paper, or whatever else suits your |
| are also a few basic pointers I will give you along the | | | | fancy. This method works well for storing any number |
| way. | | | | of things including canned goods and pastas. |
| The first thing is to group like mined items together. Be | | | | The other method we will list is the painting method. |
| sure all your spices and herbs are in the same location, | | | | This is a great method to use if you are a creative |
| and also that your pans are together, ect. | | | | type, and also if you have children who have difficulty |
| Unfortunately, the kitchen is the one area of the | | | | putting things where they should. Simply acquire |
| household where the use it or lose it rule doesn't | | | | several different colors of paint ( the surface depends |
| always apply. Meaning, in most other areas of the | | | | upon what type paint. Please use your best judgment), |
| house, if you don't use something frequently, or have a | | | | and a paintbrush. After grouping your items, look at |
| purpose for it even if that purpose is aesthetic, you | | | | and evaluate your space available. Make out a map of |
| need to throw it away or donate it. However, in the | | | | sorts, and be sure to leave room for future |
| kitchen there are a whole lot of things you may not | | | | accommodations. Once you have decided in your mind |
| use frequently but will need to save, such as herbs, | | | | or on a sheet of paper where everything will go you |
| spices, specialty pans, canned items, and more. | | | | can do one of the two following things. First you can |
| So now that you have clustered items together, now | | | | simply paint lines around the areas where certain |
| what? Well, you figure out which "groups" will need the | | | | groups will sit. For instance, draw a square line in the |
| most space. Start by placing the largest groups in the | | | | corner of the cabinet exactly where your spices will |
| largest available spaces, and working your way down. | | | | be. You can ,make the lines straight, wavy, dotted, |
| At this time you may need to incorporate several | | | | curly...whatever your imagination desires! Then after |
| space saving techniques. | | | | letting the paint dry, place the items in their designated |
| The first technique is what I call the Martha Stewart | | | | areas. The other way of doing this is to paint the entire |
| technique. This is where if you have the money and | | | | area in instead of just drawing lines. This can be a lot |
| resources, you go out at this time and buy all those | | | | more challenging, but also a lot prettier. Imagine for a |
| specialty gadgets for saving space, such as lazy | | | | moment, opening a pretty white cabinet with brass |
| suzans, expandable drawer inserts and shelf racks, | | | | handles, and finding the inside painted with four |
| wall hooks, and such. This can be a very attractive | | | | different pastel colors, each having its own group of |
| and simple way to achieve organization...but I am | | | | like minded items. Very pretty indeed! In fact, if you are |
| assuming you are reading this because you know how | | | | an artist, you can paint any type of motif or design for |
| to buy space, you just don't know how to do it with | | | | a specific category. |
| what you have, right? | | | | Now, while you are doing this there are several things |
| So the next technique is what I call the easy-find box | | | | to keep in mind. First, remember to clean out the |
| method. This method works particularly well with | | | | shelves while you have everything out. Secondly, there |
| spices, herbs, flavorings, and small jars. Find a box that | | | | will be several things you find that you know won't be |
| will hold the group of items you need to store. | | | | used...get rid of them. Thirdly, you probably will find |
| Shoeboxes and gift boxes work well for this purpose. | | | | several items that just won't have a category of their |
| Take all the items in a group, and label each one on | | | | own. For this you can make a "misc" box or section, or |
| the lid using small yard sale type sticker labels stating | | | | else place it in a different room or area. |
| what they are. Place all the items in the group in the | | | | I hope these ideas will help you to create the kitchen |
| box selected in alphabetical order. Then store the box, | | | | of your dreams, and to find things easier in the |
| and the next time you need to get something from it | | | | meantime. Please feel free to contact me with any |
| you will be able to just take the lid off and quickly | | | | questions or suggestions. |