Ten “Next To” Great Kitchen Organizing Tips
Some organizing rules takes “next to” no effort, like this one:
Put items you most commonly use next to where you commonly use them. I call this the “Next To Rule.” Sounds easy – and is easy – yet it is hard to explain why we spend an awful lot of time hunting and looking for things.
To remedy that, I’ve rounded up the top ten “next-to’s” for your kitchen:
(1) Coffee next to coffee maker – Add filters, scoop, creamer, and sweetener to that list.
(2) Potholders next to the oven – Sounds simple but we have all made the unsafe move of grabbing the nearest dish towel. Not only might you get burnt but you might start a fire as the towel dangles down onto oven or stove burners.
(3) Beater blades next to the mixer – Put all the parts in the same location. Do not hunt for some in this drawer and others in that drawer. This applies to anything with parts.
(4) Dishwasher soap next to dishwasher – Get a plastic basket to hold your dishwasher soap, liquid dish soap, and scrubbing pads. It will all be where you need it and the basket will keep your cabinet floor clean.
(5) Baking powder and baking soda next to flours – I have not seen much call for them without flour.
(6) Grill brush next to the grill – It is a lot easier to clean if the brush is at hand. While you are at it, put some cooking spray made just for grills out there to. No wonder food sticks if you have to run back inside to find it.
(7) Measuring spoons next to the measuring cups – If you need one, you pretty much need the other.
(8) Paper towels next to the sink – Unless, of course, you really do not mind mopping the floor because someone had drippy hands as they went to reach for the towels and then turned around and walked in the drips.
(9) Trash bags next to the trash can -If you are not prone to leaky wet trash, then they can actually be stored in the bottom of the trash can, hidden by the clean liner.
(10) Pen, paper and calendar next to the phone – We shouldn’t be surprised when we actually have to take a message.
Simplify your life – Apply that “Next To Rule” all over the house.
Author Lea Schneider, a columnist for What’s Cooking America, is a freelance writer and organizational expert whose organizing ideas have been published in many magazines including Woman’s Day, Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath Ideas, Family Circle, Parents Magazine, as well as numerous newspapers and websites. She is a member of the Association of Food Journalists.
Getting organized is all about living simpler and making things easier. The bonus is it often leads to saving money. Lea Schneider’s kitchen organizing columns tell you how to organize the many things that relate to kitchens, menus, meals, and special food events.
Check out all of Lea Schneider’s helpful home and kitchen columns at Organizing Kitchens, Pantries, Menus and Meals.
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Kitchen Organization