The feeling of a tidy, orderly kitchen is unparalleled. Everything is easily accessible, there’s no expired food, and every item has its designated space or container. However, maintaining this order can be challenging. If your kitchen quickly becomes disorganized after tidying, you might need to address the underlying issues. Here are seven reasons why your kitchen won’t stay organized and what you can do to fix them, according to professional organizers.
You Have Too Many Things
Do you really need seven spatulas? Likely not. Rose Pulver, a professional organizer and co-founder of The Thoughtful Home, suggests regularly going through your kitchen items and editing down anything you no longer use or need. Donate or recycle items in good condition that you no longer use. This will make your kitchen feel more organized and lighter.
You Overbuy Food
With grocery prices rising, it’s tempting to stock up on deals. But overbuying can lead to disorganization. Always check your shelves and make a list before shopping. Pulver advises against buying in bulk unless you have a specific storage area, to prevent overcrowding your kitchen with unnecessary items.
You Purchased Organizers Without Decluttering First
A common mistake is organizing without decluttering first. Buying risers, Lazy Susans, and other containers without addressing excess items will likely result in a still cluttered kitchen.
Your Kitchen Lacks Zones
Zones are crucial for kitchen organization. Pulver suggests breaking your kitchen into distinct zones such as food prep, food storage, cooking, and cleaning. Consider the proximity of items and appliances when zoning your kitchen. For instance, keep spices and cooking utensils near the stove for convenience.
You Don’t Have a Regular Maintenance Schedule. There isn’t a spot that can stay tidy without a regular maintenance schedule. Pulver tells me this could include daily tasks such as wiping down surfaces and weekly tasks like cleaning out the fridge and pantry. ‘Find pockets of time in your morning or evening routine to tackle tasks like loading or unloading the dishwasher,’ she says. ‘Doing a few little things consistently every day will keep your kitchen feeling like a well-oiled machine.’
There’s No System to Follow. Kris Hargrove, professional organizer and founder of Organized by Kris tells me a big reason kitchens don’t stay organized is because there’s no system to follow. ‘Creating a system is helpful when you share your kitchen with family or roommates,’ she says. ‘First, define where items should belong in your kitchen, then label what goes in that area. You can discreetly label the inside of cabinets and drawers so it doesn’t take away from the aesthetics of your home. Every time a drawer or cabinet is opened, there will be a label reminding everyone what should go in that area.’ Your Household Isn’t on the Same Page. You could have the best system in place, but if the rest of the household doesn’t know where things go or how it works, it’s impossible to implement. ‘Take some time to educate your family members, friends, and domestic helpers about the designated spaces for different items,’ Pulver says. ‘Clear labels can be helpful in ensuring everyone knows where things belong.’ Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
