We toured an Amish home once, and the woman mentioned they don't have junk drawers because every item had a place and a purpose. No "someday" or "maaybe". That idea really inspired me.
Is decanting worth it?…..YES! If you do decant, I recommend: 1. Choose a container that will hold the complete boxed/bagged item so there is no overstock. So go bigger. 2. If you are decanting spices or baking flours, sugars, etc., choose a container that is easy to fit your measuring cups & spoons into & level off easily. Having wider mouths are worth it! When scooping flour, there is no more struggling with the bag or poofs of flour going everywhere when trying to close it. 3. Living in an apartment, I have a small pantry. Decanting has actually made it easier to find/know what I actually have on hand. The shelves may be deep, but the decanting helps everything pop, even in the back. Everything has it’s place, and if something is low or out, I can see what is missing. There is no more food falling in the cracks. I can also actually store more in my pantry now. 4. I do not recommend step/tiered shelves. It is still hard to see in the back and klutz that I am, I end up knocking things over bringing things to the front anyway. There are other options. My favorite is a company called “Vertical Spice.” They make amazing tiered rows that pull out like a “vertical” drawer in single, double, or triple tiers so that you can easily get your product out front or back, and it makes much better use of space. They also make different widths which is nice for cans and oils. These can also replace turn-tables while allowing you to use every square inch of your cupboard . There are other similar alternatives on etsy and amazon, but not as many sizing options. 5. If you like a cohesive look, scope around at all of the options before you make a final choice. Don’t settle and purchase something just to decant. Know what size you are looking for and don’t compromise for less. Just because it’s pretty, if you can’t put a measuring cup in the opening and have some room to maneuver it, then it’s not worth it. It is worth it to do it right the first time. It can be expensive, but you also don’t have to do it all in one go. Take your time. Maybe just decant a couple of your more annoyingly packaged items to try it out.
Here's my thing about decanting spices though.. I use them so fast so I buy the big containers to save trips to the store. So I'd need to store the little containers and the big containers. Or get a big spice container. Which.. I already got one from the store..
I loved decanting once I did it. I’m a measuring type person so I measure everything. It drives my husband crazy because I walk around with a tape measure in my purse. 😂😂😂
Cereals, sugars and flours are about the only thing I decant! However I did fill baskets that will hold packaged snacks and have containers that hold open bags so it stays fresh and bug free!
This is random, but a decanting type of thing I recommend, is to use Prodyne plastic carafes for as much as you think you may need them for. I first realized how useful they are, when I put granular/powdered garden fertilizer in them, and it made me feel like the garden fairy sprinkling magic stardust around my garden, since they're so easy to use. I didn't really have that much use for them otherwise, then, until I recently realize that baking soda is the best toilet cleaner I have ever come across, and so I bought Prodyne carafes for the baking soda in my bathrooms. The garden carafe really wasn't Prodyne, but, since I got the Prodyne, I realize that they are the best quality, so I recommend them. Also in my bathroom, I had been using the mDesign rectangular plastic trash cans to make cleaning kits/caddies, which I pull out and "file" back into the cupboard as needed. My new baking soda Prodyne carafe was a little too large to fit in one of the "caddies," and so I've now ordered larger mDesign trash bins, to keep my system going and as functional as possible. I know it's nerdy, but, it's good, because it streamlines the day to day functionality of systems, and that's a worthy undertaking. Anyway, I just wanted to share this info about the Prodyne plastic carafes, because they're so darned useful for a variety of things. I prefer using glass to store my food, and so I would just find a glass carafe if I needed it for food, but for laundry powder and other dry goods, the Prodyne plastic carafe is amazing and it's actually fun to use. The 3.5lb. bag of baking soda fits perfectly into the Prodyne 56oz. carafe, and such a carafe of baking soda, could of course be great as the households general baking soda container, too.
I'm super broke so I don't have matching jars because I started by using the jars from sauce etc or I would use random mason jars I acquire. Now I sometimes get cheap jars at the thriftstore. However, even if it doesn't match it's still way better for me to pour things into jars instead of their original packaging. It lasts longer, easier to see, and easier to tell if I'm running out. One day I'll hopefully replace the jars with nice matching ones but it gets the job done.
I love that you use what you have and go to thrift stores. We all need to support the re-use of things already in service. It's a bonus that it saves us money... but seriously, even if I could afford it, I'd use thrifted and reclaimed jars. I hope you continue to see this value and embrace your useful (if not completely matching) set!
When a turn table isn’t the best fit I buy dishpans to use as “drawers” in lower cabinets. Makes things easier to keep together and to pull out. Used this at our last house to group cake pans, smaller muffin tins, cookie cutters, and smaller appliances. Each grouping gets its own bin, can rotate forward or back depending on use/season. I also used one in an upper cabinet for Tupperware lids
One of the main reasons i decant flour is because it’s easier and less messy to measure it out. It is very difficult to take flour out of a paper bag without getting it all over.
It keeps dry goods safe from flour mites and moths. Also, a kitchen in a previous rented flat had damp, so I had to throw my flour and sugar that were bought in paper bags. Glass jars with airtight lids keep food much better.
I have a large galvanized garbage can full of all the bags of flour I use fairly regularly but not everyday. My everyday flours, AP, bread, whole wheat, and cake flours are in large plastic containers in my pantry. I used to use the stacking tiers but could not see the labels n the jars on the back layers.
I don't bake very often, so to save space, I store some baking accessories (cupcake cups, icing tips, etc.) inside one of my baking pans, and I store other baking accessories (beater scraper, pastry crumber, etc.) inside my mixing bowls. I've hung my measuring cups and spoons on Command hooks on the inside of the cabinet door above the countertop where I would use them. I wrote the sizes of the cups on the bottoms with a big fat Sharpie so I can easily grab the correct one for the job. I hung my cheese grater and citrus reamer on another door. I keep my bag clips clipped onto the railing of my freezer door shelf where I can grab them easily when I need a clip for a partially used bag of veggies. All of this freed up drawer space for me to be able to put my knives in a drawer and ditch the bulky, dust-catching countertop knife block.
2 years ago I purchased a very solid wood cutting board that had magnetic knife storage on either side. Knives are handy yet they don't take up any additional space because they slide under the cutting board.
I loved the concept of "your fantasy self!" It is so true. Whether it's our wardrobe, our kitchen, our make-up. We all have them at some level. Accepting that and letting go of it is a big help.
You spoke to my "fantasy self". I'm an older guy who slowly over the years began to split the cooking with my wife. I loved to cook new things and had specialty dishes. She's now gone and Now I'm alone. The guy who goes to the store and buys stuff to cook is not the same guy who cooks. I struggle with nostalgia. There are things I will never use, that she loved. I like seeing them and remembering our 62 years together. I intellectually, organizationally get your message. But some of that clutter is loved. Great job. And you are fun and charming as well!
Re: decanting. Another benefit is there is less to attract pests like bugs and mice. I recently had a battle with a mouse that did not end until the only option he had was to take the bait because there was nothing else to eat. Weeks of throwing out food and cleaning up excrement ended with putting all food into containers that were impossible for it to enter.
Know how you feel, I am constantly battling mice and have all my food in sealed boxes. Just had to clean and rewash all my tea towels and cloths, as they had got into them too. So depressing! You feel like you have to seal off your whole house!
My tip is to leave empty dry storage containers on the shelf to save the real estate for when I refill it. If I move them or put them away, something else ends up being put in that space (by someone else, not me of course), and then I have to re-reorganize it again when I go food shopping. This also works for things in the refrigerator like the herb storage gadget. It might not work for everyone, but this has been a good habit for my kitchen, which is full-size but very small (no dedicated spice drawer, double turntable in cabinet instead; also double turntable for all the vitamins).
I only have deep drawers in the kitchen so have my herbs and spices in IKEA variera bins. One for Indian, one for Asian + sauces, one Italian / European and one with stock / vinegar etc. All my jars are labled on top and the majority are decanted into jars. This means I can pick and mix, or I can put a bin on the counter if I’m making a recipe with a lot of spices. The advantages are that I can’t justify more obscure ingredients if there’s no room in the bin, also easy clean up for oils and sauces as I can just wipe or wash the plastic.
Since I'm a wheelchair user, I have to have my spices down low and I don't have enough drawer space. They are all in magentic metal containers that hang on the side of my frig in a grid. And there is a label on the frig to show where each container goes as well as a label on the container.
As i am aged and quickly losing my mobiity and stamina i would love to hear of more house keeping / organizing / cleaning tips for people like me. (I'm well on my way to a wheelchair but for now i use my rollater in the kitchen to sit on and scoot around .. that thing has become a blessing!)
One of my best friends from high school said her parents didn't believe in "junk drawers" because everything has a place. Tape and scissors? Put it in the office. Keys? Have them all in the same location, usually hanging on a wall. Charging cords? Dedicate a place in your house for electronic storage.
Hi Kay, I use turntables and alphabetize spices, I do separate by baking spices ( nutmeg, baking powder etc) and the savory spices. I also decant. I have done this since the 80s. My family thought I was weird, but they finally were trained to appreciate it. In the pantry I only label the standard items , flour, sugar, cornmeal; unlabeled containers get rotated out for other items.
I also separate my spices by savory/cooking and sweet/baking. That cupboard is next to the stove with oils, vinegars, baking powder and baking soda, etc. It’s my baking/cooking cupboard
I'm a decant fan. Working on containers, slowly getting them as budget allows. I don't use a whole box/bag of pasta so I found that using recycled pasta sauce jars fits all the criteria....size, shape, seals, looks great. The jars have the look of canning jars....perfect for me
YES! I use the Classico pasta sauce jars all the time for nuts, seeds, raisins etc... and we are lucky to have a bulk store that I can take them to refill, so I don't ever have overflow product! Another great source for canning jars (I love the wide mouth ones) is a thrift store. I have been collecting those for years, and now have a great set. The lids are universal, so I was able to buy new ones and add my labels.
Oh my goodness, you are the cutest person ever, and your joy bleeds through in your video! Such a positive attitude and fantastic smile. I've watched so many videos on kitchen organization as we approach our journey on finally getting our new countertops; however, hands down your tips are the best. You are Aces! Thank you so much for sharing...
I've always alphabetized my spices. But then I alphabetized my CDs, DVDs (back in the old days) also. I use blue painters tape to label things in the freezer and a small piece can be used on the bottom of spice jars.
Another great video! I put my kitchenaid and air fryer under the cabinets and loved the look of a clutter free countertop. Unfortunately I developed back problems (unrelated) and I need to keep them on the counter. Also what I call my pantry cabinet is deep. Way before it was popular, I started repurposing old 9x13 baking pans and Rubbermaid bins as “drawers” to make items more accessible.
I have the same problem JM. I have to keep my kitchenaid on the counter near the stove. I have alot of rubber spatulas I keep in there so it does double duty. I couldn't keep it anywhere else since my back won't let me. So, I just keep it near the plug by the stove. I also keep my blender and pantry canisters on the counter. I would bet my counters look messy to the new way of keeping them empty.
I want to start decanting items but a couple things.. it can get expensive when you're buying quality, truly air-tight containers AND I feel like decanting calls for having 2 places to store everything. One for the pretty container and one for the back up items. And you're absolutely right. My fantasy self is taking up entirely too much space around here!
I started decanting by reusing things like spaghetti jars. It helped me actually know what decanting could do for a space without investing first. Now I'm slowly replacing the spaghetti jars where it made sense and use cardboard boxes to hold other packages.
@@michiemontgomery8305 Yup And I use those plastic clamshell containers to, I cut off the lids if need be and store small items like gravy packs etc, OR in my freezer I can put alot of oddly shaped thing's corralled into one, I also use thing's like ketchup bottles to store bags of frozen veggies like peas for example... It helps so much!
@Courtney I decant and have done so for years. I replaced my old Tupperware canisters a few years ago with OXO clear push button. They are smaller, so when the items that won’t fit all the contents, instead of saving for backup, I use that first. And I started buying smaller sizes. I live alone now so I can do stuff differently from someone with a family. Good luck in your journey to decanting.
I keep pickle and jam jars for smaller packets of dried goods. And I used to buy Dowe Egberts coffee that's sold in big glass jars with airtight seals on the lids, so I have a number of those. I bought some glass kilner style jars from Ikea at a reasonable price for spaghetti and large ones for flour, but Asda (UK) sell much cheaper versions that are also good. Round glass jars aren't good for utilising space, but I have a very tiny kitchen area, so I wanted containers that I find aesthetically pleasing to put on a storage cart, as they're always out on show. I put the uglier cans and packages in the one cupboard available. I like to reuse wherever possible. I also keep small pretty drinks bottles for decanting milk to take to work and for making salad dressings. I'm sure that I'll find even more uses at some point :)
I tried so many places to put my spices (shelf, rack on the shelf, carousel, on the counter...) and I didn't like the space it took. I live in rental apts and often the kitchen shelf amount is small. A couple of years ago I found metal containers (from Amazon) that stick to the refrigerator and this works well for me - with only a couple of issues (like a couple of lids might be too tight and not turn easily). They come with two kinds of labels you can use (black on white, or white on black) and spares to write your own down. They only hold 3 oz so any spices that come from larger bottles get placed in a bin and put onto a shelf for refills. Set of 24 Magnetic Spice Tins with 24 Window-Top Sift and Pour Lids, 269 Preprinted Seasoning Label Stickers in 2 Styles for 3 oz Herb Jars Magnetic Spice Jar Magnetic Spice Tins.
You can buy magnet sheets which are sticky on one side and cut and add to your own tins - which would let you get perhaps a better quality tin. I think this is an excellent idea. I have a standing unit with doors for a “pantry,” and I found a spice unit which I attached to the outside left side of the pantry - from Amazon - since the left side of it was free standing, and thus, dead space. I love it! TFS.
Girl i love you. I am so glad you changed your intro so you arent saying your name twice. And i love your advice about the kitchen. I have heard it but you always make things sound fresh and apply in a new way for me. I need to watch this tomorrow and look again at my kitchen. I want to add a couple things. Choose double duty when possible. Handsoap can often be replaced by dishsoap or castile soap (dr bronners) and make household cleaners with it. You can put a dilute solution in a foam soap dispenser or spray bottle by the sink and use it for everything. I also have one cabinet for my everyday stuff no matter what it is. A couple place settings, my smoothie blender, my fav cutting board, prep bowl, my 2cup measure, a skillet etc. 90% of the time i use the same few items over and over and i put them together right above the sink over my dw. I live alone so its just for me and i keep it simple. I need tofind a clover video.
Oh, I totally thought decanting the dish/hand soap would be extra/silly, but it does feel like it makes them disappear - like less visual clutter. Weird what makes a difference. 🤔😛 I just bought two matching glass hand soaps from home goods and when we used them up, we refilled them and reused them to make cute set.
I keep my occasional use kitchen items in the garage on ikea wooden slat shelves. Like my bread machine (used 8x a month or so), air fryer (can’t get the plastic smell out of it), canning supplies, extra utensils, cake making specialty tools, my huge collection of Nordicware and so on. I have a 36” x 36” island in my kitchen which has a 12” shelf in the back. My food processor sits on it. I have fabric over wire frame bins on the shelf too for the small things: cookie cutters, spice grinder, stick blender, small juicer, Silpat mats rolled up with a rubber band etc. This system is so convenient for me. The floor of the island has seldom used serving dishes like the gravy boat and giant flat cake plate in the back. I’m n the front is a cardboard box for off beat items. Kinda a catch all for bag clips, good reusable ziplocks, strainers and other odd utensils. I hate it but it works. Whenever I’m making pizza, quick breads, Indian food etc. all the gizmos come out and go back to their homes. Once and awhile I make homemade wine and my 5 gallon carboy sits on the island and irks me because it feels messy. Once you get reasonably organized it’s easy to stay that way if everything goes home when the fun is over. Oh and I totally decant stuff because Costco has all the big things that don’t fit in my kitchen!!! 😅
Thank you for sharing I have a subscription it's come in a small little box every month and I used them to arrange my utility draw I wish my house was as organised as that draw it looks so beautiful now
Thank you so much Kay! I've been implementing kitchen organization since your kitchen zoning video blew my mind and this is another motivator. One thing I do that is weird but might work for others, I store the glass containers (which I also cook in) in my prep/cooking area and the lids (plastic) in the storage/cleanup area. When I clean up a meal, I pop a lid on and put it in the fridge. It's across the kitchen from each other, but on the way to the fridge 😉
I recently had my husband make me some shelves for my coat closet to house all my unsightly small appliances. It works wonders. No more barely used appliances on my counters. We remodeled last year and I somehow have less cabinet space. Also, I have been decanting for a couple of years and I love it! Great video. Thank you! 😊
I don’t need any more organization in my kitchen and I even transformed a large linen closet into a pantry. The smaller appliances such as crockpots, Instapot, roasters, mixers and blenders are all in there. I just put it all together yesterday after painting the walls and shelves. However, I LOVE to hear all of the ideas out there from various organizers. You all have gems!
My most favorite spice storage method is grouping them by type in bins. The bins are in a low drawer and the jars are labeled on top. I can easily grab one jar or bin. A few bins: Herbs: oregano, basil, marjoram, chervil... Indian: garam masala, cumin, coriander... General: white pepper, onion salt, lemon pepper, sesame seed...
When my kitchen is organized, and clean, somehow I often feel happy and dance, cause the floor is good for spinning, like the shower is good for new ideas and singing!! The videos you make are so positive and super helpful. "Bottom and back" are the problems in a few problem areas on my kitchen. For those with a wide passthrough shelf: much better to put spices along this shelf than decor! Just discovered this about a year ago and it truly is fantastic. Requires quarterly dusting or more often if you like!
My problem with decanting spices is the leftover from the original container that also needs to be stored. I saw another TH-camr recommend that same pot collection. I wish I needed new ones and had the space. I would definitely get them.
I love your tips about spices, as alphabetizing them worked wonders for me. I also implement the turntable. I have not had good luck with the step shelves (I find the jars don't always fit and/or they still topple off as I'm trying to find things). My solution: Easy to grab small baskets -- I label the jar lids with the name or alphabetized letter. Everything is accessible, and it uses the full depth of the shelf to maximize storage, without losing anything in the back! I take the whole "savoury spices" basket down to the counter when cooking (I am likely to need onion powder, garlic salt, cumin, curry etc in the same recipe anyway, so it saves juggling multiple jars) then the whole basket goes back to the cupboard when done. EASY! There's a separate basket for leafy herbs: oregano, parsley, bay leaves, etc. which is set up the same way. I use a two-tier turntable for the whole spices and their ground cousins (i.e. cinnamon, cloves nutmeg) and for any miscellaneous items like spice blends. There is one more basket (on the top shelf) for the overflow/decanting. I have not seen anyone else use this solution -- and I've watched hundreds of kitchen organizing videos. Please give it a try and let me know what you think!
Junk drawer at my house has been called the press (cupboard) of doom and dread for about 15 years. I have a cupboard only just one and jez it gets really overwhelming. I sort it though at least every month. Thankfully its the one messy place in my kitchen. Great fabulous tips. I'm having new kitchen cupboard fronts fitted tomorrow so I will be using some your tips
I don't leave out coffee stuff, paper towels, no clothes or sponges. My one deco bottle for soap is for dishes and hand washing. Love the fantasy self thoughts!
Really enjoyed this video! I think you're right about decanting, and I think a lot of it is about visual uniformity. It looks calmer, so your brain feels calmer. Those pans are gorgeous!! Shame we don't have them in the U.K.!
I would add for appliances, even if I use it every day, how long does it actually need to be out? I use my coffee grinder every day, but for maybe a minute or two. That's it. So I made space to keep it down below and I haven't looked back. I pull it out, plug it in, use it, top it up, and put it away again each and every day. Haha. My husband is resistant, but the toaster oven is next! That does not even get used every day in my house, but again, for such a short period of time. It doesn't need to permanently occupy that lovely invaluable counter space!
We used the spice shelves for years, but have recently switched to the Elfa over the door pantry organizer. It also holds our swiffer pads and trash bags!
The item with the steps that you use for the spices, I use for my canned goods so I can see what's in the back. I think I will look into the spinning turntables. Great ideas as always. Thanks Kay!
❤️ cabinet shelf and under shelf . I will keep them in mind when I get my own place again. Never knew about them. Pull outs are my parents kitchen and they ❤️ it. ❤️ your shirt.
I bought spice bottles to decant all my current spices. They were shipped in a box that had a firm foam base with opening to prevent damage to the bottles in shipping. How delightful to discover that it fit in my spice drawer so I labeled the lids and alphabetized. Bonus is that replacement spices come in the same bottles from Walmart’s marketside line so I don’t need to decant, just exchange the lid.
I absolutely decant but i never label. I simply cut the label on the package and sometimes the cooking instructions, and put it insiste the container. I find that it works better for me because it's easy and i change the type of product in the container without having to Change it's labels.
I discovered that preparing (mixing) my spices in advance, making batches, and then putting them in small containers help me with prepping foods. Dishes that I cook on a regular basis. Seasoning/rubs for fish, chicken, pasta dishes, soup, mex. Rice.
The concept of the utility drawer is so huge, but for me, it wasn't reallt appreciated until I learned this from you a few years ago and seriously, huge difference!
When our apartment kitchen got remodeled (we're renters), we lost cabinet and drawer space so we do have stuff that lives on our counters, but thankfully we have decent counter space still. We love to cook so I've rearranged/organized the kitchen a few times. We don't have a good spot for a pantry, so we have one awkward cabinet for dry good stuff, but I also got a 2-drawer Elfa unit to stick in a cabinet where I've decanted our dry goods in like rice, seeds, beans and so on. I labeled the lids so I can pull the drawer out and see what is in each jar. I did the same for our spice & herb drawer which is great. It's not super pretty, but it's 100% functional.
This may not be the best solution for everyone, but, under my kitchen sink, there is a spot to the side which is like one of those "bottom and back" places. My sink cupboard doors are narrow, and it's not easy to reach over to this side place. So, besides using locker three locker shelves across the back of the kitchen sink cupboard to better store my things, to the side I needed to do something different with a lower shelf, which I have as a shoe shelf or I don't know what it's called, but it fits in there. Underneath, I have plastic shoe boxes with lids to store things and that works well. But, and I know I'm long winded, what I'm getting at, is that for convenient storage of things on top of the low shelf in that side space, I'm using a small plastic bucket to store dishcloths and softer things like that. It's easy to pull the bucket in and out, since it's round and there are no corners to bump against the narrow cupboard door opening. But, what's really unusual and functional, is that my kitchen scrubbies and all are separated from the dishcloths in the bucket, by storing them in the OXO plastic cookie jar, which sits right on top of the dishcloths and barmops in the bucket. I'm telling you, this works very well. I can so easily grab the OXO container just by the lid, and then grab and go with what I need. The OXO container fits effortlessly inside the bucket and on top of the barmops and such, it always works and I don't have to think about it. Using the bucket and the OXO container, I have vertical separation of items, functionally like shelves, but, I can also very easily access them in their inconvenient side location. It works so well, and the OXO "pop" lids are also great in how they seal with just a push on the lid. The only drawback is that the scrubbies need to be dry before they go back into the OXO container, but that's not an issue for me. Anyhoo, I don't expect that the bucket/OXO cookie jar solution will work for everyone, but, I hope it can generate creative ideas for other solutions.
Re: Spices - I have narrow plastic organizers that I put some ethnic cooking spices into such as Indian Spices, the container including garam masala, cumin, ginger, curry, etc. so it's all together and I'm not chasing around the spice rack looking for all the needed items. Same can be done with Mexican, Japanese, etc. Also, rather than decanting EVERYTHING, I often put things like different types of rice packages into one large decanter. Easy to grab hold of, especially when deciding last minute, what kind of rice to serve with your main course. Types of salt, grinds of pepper, ditto.
Have watched a lot of these organising videos but I actually got some really helpful ideas from this one. My kitchen is quite small so any time I can make better use of a space I’m a happy camper. Thanks so much, sending love from South Australia
Love this video! I just saw this video today but everything that you suggested , I did when we started moving from our old house to this one. We moved over a week ago. Before we moved when I said I wasn’t putting certain appliances on the counter, he looked at me like I had two heads. He can’t understand it 🤨so I’m going to show him this video😉. And it was also funny what you said about the “ junk drawer”, I renamed ours to the “ catch all” drawer because I thought that if it’s junk, it should be trash however, I like “utility “ better. I haven’t finished watching this, so I can’t wait to see what else you suggested. Great minds think alike 😂.
I have my spices grouped by use/type. I group my Italian spices, Latin spices, pepper & hot spices, etc. It's not a perfect system, but so far it is working for me. (Love your videos, thanks!)
I used to do alphabetical. I like to organize by cuisine better, everything is together. I am putting my pantry together by cuisine, so all ingredients can be collected at once. I have trays to carry them from pantry area to assembly place in the kitchen
Thks. good tips. So many comments! Some issues not addressed in 1980s builders grade U-shape kitchen. e.g. narrow openings for deep DEAD corners in narrow "U-shaped" kitchen - both upper and lower cabinets, this also means very narrow space in corner beside fridge, and on both sides of stove (bottom of U). (Unlike my son's student kitchen and rental where there was room to use a large but shallow Sterilite storage bin without its lid as a "drawer" in the dead corners, there's no room to get one in the narrow door and around the 90 degree angle between the stove and fridge or under the sink beside the drawers/stove.) There is only one small vertical bank of drawers. At the end with table/chairs there's a DEEP pantry with narrow double doors which is difficult to get at things in rows. We need duplicates of many things as half family is gluten free so we have MANY flour alternatives (11 kinds plus need to make different mixtures to bake) and special ingredients, both GF and regular cookies, crackers, pastas; and in freezer - breads, buns;....separate toasters. Two cooks in a small kitchen: one short, one tall. I have been unsuccessful with some things I've tried, but have done some of your tips successfully for years. In the pantry, I do have great over the door (Elfe?) racks - one narrow door there's two for spices (alpha) (one below other) and a different kind on the second pantry door that has several rows ~3 or 4" deep for cocoa, baking powder, misc. and below that a mounted holder with several vertical slots for foil, parchment, wrap, freezer bags. Other successes include to compensate for lack of drawers: hanging metal bin over lower doors (inside) for scrubbers (not sponge) bottle brush, two more for oils/vinegars, added an old buffet with legs cut short to match the counter height for cutlery drawers & storage (too big though.) Painted antique round table with bench at one end (which hasn't been great didn't work as well as hoped). (There's three doors - dining room, hall, walkout on end to patio; and two windows - picture window and over sink.) It's complicated! Anything spark ideas?
Thank you for the kick. I =so= have an illusion of my fantasy self. Guilty! Haha. Great advice. I need to do some major rehaul. Btw, came here from Denise's channel.
I use chalk markers for recanting items or fridge stuff. Works great. Got the markers at Dollar Tree! They wash off easily but also rub off easily so I just have to be careful on how I grab stuff. But using these allows me to also add expiration date and brand on the containers 🫙
Thanks. The most used spices, oils, vinegars are closest to the front. However, only tall goes at the back of every shelf and cupboard. If I sometimes, forget, I’ll add a small list across from them insides their door(s) and/or a sensor light. Some with the fridge, taller items closer to the back or else nothing goes there. Cheers🙂.
Oh my gosh, you really got me at “your fantasy self”!😂🤣 Such a *true* statement!! Loved the whole video and very happy I found your channel! New sub!!🥰
My storage is very limited as I have a small kitchen. I put my spices in overhead tiny cupboards on turntables and I can just spin and grab and return very easily. I can just reach the spices on my tiptoes because it’s over my range hood. Great video!
This was great. We had 3 of those drawers that shall remain nameless. Finally got it down to 1 and now it's only things I need like a pen and paper, tape, things like that.
@@DC-nw3uc For others, but can't say that for me. I am not going to remember everything I own at every moment. Plus I hate under counter cabinet storage because things get lost and push back behind other things. Everyone can find ways that work best for them. Some people leave their appliances out as kitchen decor like those bulky 50s style mixers. Which I love the look, but know I wouldn't use it so I don't have one.
@@sheilaspastelrainbowvision I totally get you Sheila, I have ADHD and have the same issue. I found a video that talks about four different types of organisers, two are visual, two are let’s hide it. I’m a Bee - a visual organiser ( I need to be able to see everything) and it suddenly made sense.
@@Craftgirly That is why I use see through storage. I like seeing what is inside vs taking every box down and making a mess looking for something. Labels are nice, but sometimes not the easiest way to find things still. I have even tried making lists, but to be honest; that gets very tedious after a while. So I often reorganizing and am looking for new ways that work better for me.
Very helpful tips - I'll have a new kitchen by the end of the year (Grannie Flat!) and my daughter's hubby and their builder do a great job with kitchen storage! Tip: I recently began sprouting again, and decanted a dozen sprouting mixes into empty spice jars, and they fit beautifully into a plastic bin, which i store in the fridge! (And a second batch of single seeds) i put labels on the sides, and marked the tops with a sharpie. It's Easy Peasy to choose a single seed, or small salad seed mix or larger bean mix, and my metal dish drainer from Ikea is at the perfect angle for good drainage! I wash my dishes by hand, so leave the rack on the counter. I group different herb and spice containers by shape, and have several storage shelves they fit - so I group by uses as someone else mentioned. I also have loose herbal and green or black tea in small jars and tins ...
The house is now *almost done* (as many projects, took longer than planned - especially working around city requirements and communication ...) Looks like I'll have a Coooktop and air fryer - and I'm looking at turntables for the corner cabinet and one shelf in the fridge! I'm also thinking of a herb and spice rack - maybe one that will mount on the kitchen side of the fridge! I also have a lovely Indian spice round container with stainless steel containers, that I like by the stove.
@@TheOrganizedSoprano I've been using Matfer Borgeat (probably spelling that wrong) pans for a few years as non stick, and they work, but aren't nearly as beautiful as these. In fact, they aren't pretty at all. But the weird chemical risks with other nonstick has always made me choose another option. When I bought my house, it came with a glass top stove and I was worried my cast iron would scratch and crack it, so the Matfer pans were my option. These pans! Ugh! But what color to get??? 😍
Beware of containers that don't seal completely. Always make sure they are air tight to avoid bugs and food going bad. I like those purple 💜 snap lidded containers sold at Dollar Tree. OXO is a great brand too, but higher priced.
Great tips. I especially agree with the one about having tidy worktops. I get really stressed when mine are untidy. I can never work out why some people have jars/canisters of spaghetti & rice etc on their worktops. Why not just put them in a cupboard. Just curious, don’t many people in the US have a kettle in their kitchen? Here in the UK a kettle is the norm.
I have a glass kettle but it’s not the norm. I say it’s probably about 50/50 kettle vs nothing at all. I think kettles are for tea drinkers and French press/pour over coffee people which I think in America is less common than a good ole coffee machine 😆
Haha no I’d say the ratio of electric kettle owners is WAY less than half for the average American household. I had a stovetop one for years and then invested in a $20 glad one which has been my fave kitchen purchase to date! Also I think most apartments have less cupboard/cabinet space for food AND we tend to keep more on hand than European households. I watch a ton of kitchen org videos And I’m still surprised by it
@@mamat1213 I thin like electric kettles are WAY less common than a stovetop one. A lot of older folks still have kettles on the stove and they don’t show their homes online 😆 I still don’t know at least half of the people I know have kettles but I live on the east coast in New England 🤷🏽♀️ it’s probably much different in like AZ where it’s hot as hell all the time lol
Some people like the look of them. Cas from Clutterbug talks about different organizing styles and some people like things out other like things put away. And then, sometimes it simple a matter of space.
I literally have 4 small drawers in my kitchen.. and that's only because I put two small cheap islands back to back. I still use one of those drawers for .. stuff. I have a hammer, small drill, screws, nails, tape, batteries, a pen and labels. Stuff that really we DO use on a regular basis. I store spices in accordance to how often they're used.. I'm not a spice junkie like some people seem to be, so the small rack by the stove is perfect... except for the fact that my grinders are too fat for it.
Hi Kay. Just found your channel , 1st time. Your tips are Great!! I need to organize my spices. I try to keep them in there original bottle, but it is better if they are all the same size. It makes it easier. I also like that you suggested to keep them Alphabetized. It makes cooking quicker. Thank you 😊😊❤❤
We toured an Amish home once, and the woman mentioned they don't have junk drawers because every item had a place and a purpose. No "someday" or "maaybe". That idea really inspired me.
Is decanting worth it?…..YES!
If you do decant, I recommend:
1. Choose a container that will hold the complete boxed/bagged item so there is no overstock. So go bigger.
2. If you are decanting spices or baking flours, sugars, etc., choose a container that is easy to fit your measuring cups & spoons into & level off easily. Having wider mouths are worth it! When scooping flour, there is no more struggling with the bag or poofs of flour going everywhere when trying to close it.
3. Living in an apartment, I have a small pantry. Decanting has actually made it easier to find/know what I actually have on hand. The shelves may be deep, but the decanting helps everything pop, even in the back. Everything has it’s place, and if something is low or out, I can see what is missing. There is no more food falling in the cracks. I can also actually store more in my pantry now.
4. I do not recommend step/tiered shelves. It is still hard to see in the back and klutz that I am, I end up knocking things over bringing things to the front anyway. There are other options. My favorite is a company called “Vertical Spice.” They make amazing tiered rows that pull out like a “vertical” drawer in single, double, or triple tiers so that you can easily get your product out front or back, and it makes much better use of space. They also make different widths which is nice for cans and oils. These can also replace turn-tables while allowing you to use every square inch of your cupboard . There are other similar alternatives on etsy and amazon, but not as many sizing options.
5. If you like a cohesive look, scope around at all of the options before you make a final choice. Don’t settle and purchase something just to decant. Know what size you are looking for and don’t compromise for less. Just because it’s pretty, if you can’t put a measuring cup in the opening and have some room to maneuver it, then it’s not worth it. It is worth it to do it right the first time. It can be expensive, but you also don’t have to do it all in one go. Take your time. Maybe just decant a couple of your more annoyingly packaged items to try it out.
These are great tips! 🤗Thank you for sharing! 🌻
Here's my thing about decanting spices though.. I use them so fast so I buy the big containers to save trips to the store. So I'd need to store the little containers and the big containers. Or get a big spice container. Which.. I already got one from the store..
I loved decanting once I did it. I’m a measuring type person so I measure everything. It drives my husband crazy because I walk around with a tape measure in my purse. 😂😂😂
Cereals, sugars and flours are about the only thing I decant! However I did fill baskets that will hold packaged snacks and have containers that hold open bags so it stays fresh and bug free!
This is random, but a decanting type of thing I recommend, is to use Prodyne plastic carafes for as much as you think you may need them for. I first realized how useful they are, when I put granular/powdered garden fertilizer in them, and it made me feel like the garden fairy sprinkling magic stardust around my garden, since they're so easy to use. I didn't really have that much use for them otherwise, then, until I recently realize that baking soda is the best toilet cleaner I have ever come across, and so I bought Prodyne carafes for the baking soda in my bathrooms. The garden carafe really wasn't Prodyne, but, since I got the Prodyne, I realize that they are the best quality, so I recommend them. Also in my bathroom, I had been using the mDesign rectangular plastic trash cans to make cleaning kits/caddies, which I pull out and "file" back into the cupboard as needed. My new baking soda Prodyne carafe was a little too large to fit in one of the "caddies," and so I've now ordered larger mDesign trash bins, to keep my system going and as functional as possible. I know it's nerdy, but, it's good, because it streamlines the day to day functionality of systems, and that's a worthy undertaking. Anyway, I just wanted to share this info about the Prodyne plastic carafes, because they're so darned useful for a variety of things. I prefer using glass to store my food, and so I would just find a glass carafe if I needed it for food, but for laundry powder and other dry goods, the Prodyne plastic carafe is amazing and it's actually fun to use. The 3.5lb. bag of baking soda fits perfectly into the Prodyne 56oz. carafe, and such a carafe of baking soda, could of course be great as the households general baking soda container, too.
I'm super broke so I don't have matching jars because I started by using the jars from sauce etc or I would use random mason jars I acquire. Now I sometimes get cheap jars at the thriftstore. However, even if it doesn't match it's still way better for me to pour things into jars instead of their original packaging. It lasts longer, easier to see, and easier to tell if I'm running out. One day I'll hopefully replace the jars with nice matching ones but it gets the job done.
I love that you use what you have and go to thrift stores. We all need to support the re-use of things already in service. It's a bonus that it saves us money... but seriously, even if I could afford it, I'd use thrifted and reclaimed jars. I hope you continue to see this value and embrace your useful (if not completely matching) set!
When a turn table isn’t the best fit I buy dishpans to use as “drawers” in lower cabinets. Makes things easier to keep together and to pull out. Used this at our last house to group cake pans, smaller muffin tins, cookie cutters, and smaller appliances. Each grouping gets its own bin, can rotate forward or back depending on use/season. I also used one in an upper cabinet for Tupperware lids
One of the main reasons i decant flour is because it’s easier and less messy to measure it out.
It is very difficult to take flour out of a paper bag without getting it all over.
It keeps dry goods safe from flour mites and moths. Also, a kitchen in a previous rented flat had damp, so I had to throw my flour and sugar that were bought in paper bags. Glass jars with airtight lids keep food much better.
I have a large galvanized garbage can full of all the bags of flour I use fairly regularly but not everyday. My everyday flours, AP, bread, whole wheat, and cake flours are in large plastic containers in my pantry. I used to use the stacking tiers but could not see the labels n the jars on the back layers.
I don't bake very often, so to save space, I store some baking accessories (cupcake cups, icing tips, etc.) inside one of my baking pans, and I store other baking accessories (beater scraper, pastry crumber, etc.) inside my mixing bowls. I've hung my measuring cups and spoons on Command hooks on the inside of the cabinet door above the countertop where I would use them. I wrote the sizes of the cups on the bottoms with a big fat Sharpie so I can easily grab the correct one for the job. I hung my cheese grater and citrus reamer on another door. I keep my bag clips clipped onto the railing of my freezer door shelf where I can grab them easily when I need a clip for a partially used bag of veggies. All of this freed up drawer space for me to be able to put my knives in a drawer and ditch the bulky, dust-catching countertop knife block.
Great reminder about hooks for measuring cups inside a door!
2 years ago I purchased a very solid wood cutting board that had magnetic knife storage on either side. Knives are handy yet they don't take up any additional space because they slide under the cutting board.
I loved the concept of "your fantasy self!" It is so true. Whether it's our wardrobe, our kitchen, our make-up. We all have them at some level. Accepting that and letting go of it is a big help.
I'm not even sure what you are going to say, but I already know my kitchen wouldn't be the same without your tips ! So, I'm listening!
You spoke to my "fantasy self". I'm an older guy who slowly over the years began to split the cooking with my wife. I loved to cook new things and had specialty dishes. She's now gone and Now I'm alone. The guy who goes to the store and buys stuff to cook is not the same guy who cooks. I struggle with nostalgia. There are things I will never use, that she loved. I like seeing them and remembering our 62 years together. I intellectually, organizationally get your message. But some of that clutter is loved. Great job. And you are fun and charming as well!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Re: decanting. Another benefit is there is less to attract pests like bugs and mice. I recently had a battle with a mouse that did not end until the only option he had was to take the bait because there was nothing else to eat. Weeks of throwing out food and cleaning up excrement ended with putting all food into containers that were impossible for it to enter.
Know how you feel, I am constantly battling mice and have all my food in sealed boxes. Just had to clean and rewash all my tea towels and cloths, as they had got into them too. So depressing! You feel like you have to seal off your whole house!
My tip is to leave empty dry storage containers on the shelf to save the real estate for when I refill it. If I move them or put them away, something else ends up being put in that space (by someone else, not me of course), and then I have to re-reorganize it again when I go food shopping. This also works for things in the refrigerator like the herb storage gadget. It might not work for everyone, but this has been a good habit for my kitchen, which is full-size but very small (no dedicated spice drawer, double turntable in cabinet instead; also double turntable for all the vitamins).
I do this also, in the fridge it’s more to make sure there’s room for the kool aid
I only have deep drawers in the kitchen so have my herbs and spices in IKEA variera bins. One for Indian, one for Asian + sauces, one Italian / European and one with stock / vinegar etc. All my jars are labled on top and the majority are decanted into jars. This means I can pick and mix, or I can put a bin on the counter if I’m making a recipe with a lot of spices. The advantages are that I can’t justify more obscure ingredients if there’s no room in the bin, also easy clean up for oils and sauces as I can just wipe or wash the plastic.
We are doing an IKEA remodel. I love my magnetic spice jars. Im planning on putting a piece on metal on the side of the pantry for them to stay.
Since I'm a wheelchair user, I have to have my spices down low and I don't have enough drawer space. They are all in magentic metal containers that hang on the side of my frig in a grid. And there is a label on the frig to show where each container goes as well as a label on the container.
I bet they look pretty cool also!
@@TheOrganizedSoprano I admit, they kind of do.
As i am aged and quickly losing my mobiity and stamina i would love to hear of more house keeping / organizing / cleaning tips for people like me.
(I'm well on my way to a wheelchair but for now i use my rollater in the kitchen to sit on and scoot around .. that thing has become a blessing!)
@@briannab5296 I had an office chair that I used for years in the kitchen.
One of my best friends from high school said her parents didn't believe in "junk drawers" because everything has a place. Tape and scissors? Put it in the office. Keys? Have them all in the same location, usually hanging on a wall. Charging cords? Dedicate a place in your house for electronic storage.
Your best friend's parents were speaking my language!
Hi Kay, I use turntables and alphabetize spices, I do separate by baking spices ( nutmeg, baking powder etc) and the savory spices. I also decant. I have done this since the 80s.
My family thought I was weird, but they finally were trained to appreciate it.
In the pantry I only label the standard items , flour, sugar, cornmeal; unlabeled containers get rotated out for other items.
I also separate my spices by savory/cooking and sweet/baking. That cupboard is next to the stove with oils, vinegars, baking powder and baking soda, etc. It’s my baking/cooking cupboard
Kay…could you do a video on how to organize those catty corner cabinets, uppers and lowers? I never know what to do there!
Excellent idea, it's going on my spreadsheet!
@@TheOrganizedSoprano thank you so much!
I bought curved containers for these round spinning cabinets on Amazon. Game changer.
I'm a decant fan. Working on containers, slowly getting them as budget allows. I don't use a whole box/bag of pasta so I found that using recycled pasta sauce jars fits all the criteria....size, shape, seals, looks great. The jars have the look of canning jars....perfect for me
That's my ideal - reuse rather than recycle, wherever possible.
YES! I use the Classico pasta sauce jars all the time for nuts, seeds, raisins etc... and we are lucky to have a bulk store that I can take them to refill, so I don't ever have overflow product! Another great source for canning jars (I love the wide mouth ones) is a thrift store. I have been collecting those for years, and now have a great set. The lids are universal, so I was able to buy new ones and add my labels.
Oh my goodness, you are the cutest person ever, and your joy bleeds through in your video! Such a positive attitude and fantastic smile. I've watched so many videos on kitchen organization as we approach our journey on finally getting our new countertops; however, hands down your tips are the best. You are Aces! Thank you so much for sharing...
I've always alphabetized my spices. But then I alphabetized my CDs, DVDs (back in the old days) also. I use blue painters tape to label things in the freezer and a small piece can be used on the bottom of spice jars.
I use the erasable labels too. I use them on glass food storage containers in the freezer too. I love them!
Another great video! I put my kitchenaid and air fryer under the cabinets and loved the look of a clutter free countertop. Unfortunately I developed back problems (unrelated) and I need to keep them on the counter.
Also what I call my pantry cabinet is deep. Way before it was popular, I started repurposing old 9x13 baking pans and Rubbermaid bins as “drawers” to make items more accessible.
That's so smart!
I have the same problem JM. I have to keep my kitchenaid on the counter near the stove. I have alot of rubber spatulas I keep in there so it does double duty. I couldn't keep it anywhere else since my back won't let me. So, I just keep it near the plug by the stove. I also keep my blender and pantry canisters on the counter. I would bet my counters look messy to the new way of keeping them empty.
I want to start decanting items but a couple things.. it can get expensive when you're buying quality, truly air-tight containers AND I feel like decanting calls for having 2 places to store everything. One for the pretty container and one for the back up items. And you're absolutely right. My fantasy self is taking up entirely too much space around here!
I started decanting by reusing things like spaghetti jars. It helped me actually know what decanting could do for a space without investing first. Now I'm slowly replacing the spaghetti jars where it made sense and use cardboard boxes to hold other packages.
@@michiemontgomery8305
Yup
And I use those plastic clamshell containers to, I cut off the lids if need be and store small items like gravy packs etc, OR in my freezer I can put alot of oddly shaped thing's corralled into one, I also use thing's like ketchup bottles to store bags of frozen veggies like peas for example... It helps so much!
@Courtney I decant and have done so for years. I replaced my old Tupperware canisters a few years ago with OXO clear push button. They are smaller, so when the items that won’t fit all the contents, instead of saving for backup, I use that first. And I started buying smaller sizes. I live alone now so I can do stuff differently from someone with a family. Good luck in your journey to decanting.
I keep pickle and jam jars for smaller packets of dried goods. And I used to buy Dowe Egberts coffee that's sold in big glass jars with airtight seals on the lids, so I have a number of those.
I bought some glass kilner style jars from Ikea at a reasonable price for spaghetti and large ones for flour, but Asda (UK) sell much cheaper versions that are also good.
Round glass jars aren't good for utilising space, but I have a very tiny kitchen area, so I wanted containers that I find aesthetically pleasing to put on a storage cart, as they're always out on show.
I put the uglier cans and packages in the one cupboard available.
I like to reuse wherever possible. I also keep small pretty drinks bottles for decanting milk to take to work and for making salad dressings. I'm sure that I'll find even more uses at some point :)
I store all the "overstock" in one bin (it doesn't need to be displayed) And like another commenter said I try to use that first.
I tried so many places to put my spices (shelf, rack on the shelf, carousel, on the counter...) and I didn't like the space it took. I live in rental apts and often the kitchen shelf amount is small. A couple of years ago I found metal containers (from Amazon) that stick to the refrigerator and this works well for me - with only a couple of issues (like a couple of lids might be too tight and not turn easily). They come with two kinds of labels you can use (black on white, or white on black) and spares to write your own down. They only hold 3 oz so any spices that come from larger bottles get placed in a bin and put onto a shelf for refills. Set of 24 Magnetic Spice Tins with 24 Window-Top Sift and Pour Lids, 269 Preprinted Seasoning Label Stickers in 2 Styles for 3 oz Herb Jars Magnetic Spice Jar Magnetic Spice Tins.
Renting here, with limited space and impractical drawers, I have my spices on the fridge too. Only thing that’s worked so far.
That sounds like a great solution.
You can buy magnet sheets which are sticky on one side and cut and add to your own tins - which would let you get perhaps a better quality tin. I think this is an excellent idea. I have a standing unit with doors for a “pantry,” and I found a spice unit which I attached to the outside left side of the pantry - from Amazon - since the left side of it was free standing, and thus, dead space. I love it! TFS.
Girl i love you. I am so glad you changed your intro so you arent saying your name twice. And i love your advice about the kitchen. I have heard it but you always make things sound fresh and apply in a new way for me.
I need to watch this tomorrow and look again at my kitchen.
I want to add a couple things. Choose double duty when possible. Handsoap can often be replaced by dishsoap or castile soap (dr bronners) and make household cleaners with it. You can put a dilute solution in a foam soap dispenser or spray bottle by the sink and use it for everything.
I also have one cabinet for my everyday stuff no matter what it is. A couple place settings, my smoothie blender, my fav cutting board, prep bowl, my 2cup measure, a skillet etc. 90% of the time i use the same few items over and over and i put them together right above the sink over my dw. I live alone so its just for me and i keep it simple.
I need tofind a clover video.
Best kitchen organizer info I’ve viewed thanks.
Oh, I totally thought decanting the dish/hand soap would be extra/silly, but it does feel like it makes them disappear - like less visual clutter. Weird what makes a difference. 🤔😛 I just bought two matching glass hand soaps from home goods and when we used them up, we refilled them and reused them to make cute set.
I solved a lot of problems by only planning drawers in the new kitchen. It's a game changer, because nothing gets lost in the back.
I keep my occasional use kitchen items in the garage on ikea wooden slat shelves. Like my bread machine (used 8x a month or so), air fryer (can’t get the plastic smell out of it), canning supplies, extra utensils, cake making specialty tools, my huge collection of Nordicware and so on.
I have a 36” x 36” island in my kitchen which has a 12” shelf in the back. My food processor sits on it. I have fabric over wire frame bins on the shelf too for the small things: cookie cutters, spice grinder, stick blender, small juicer, Silpat mats rolled up with a rubber band etc. This system is so convenient for me. The floor of the island has seldom used serving dishes like the gravy boat and giant flat cake plate in the back. I’m n the front is a cardboard box for off beat items. Kinda a catch all for bag clips, good reusable ziplocks, strainers and other odd utensils. I hate it but it works.
Whenever I’m making pizza, quick breads, Indian food etc. all the gizmos come out and go back to their homes. Once and awhile I make homemade wine and my 5 gallon carboy sits on the island and irks me because it feels messy. Once you get reasonably organized it’s easy to stay that way if everything goes home when the fun is over. Oh and I totally decant stuff because Costco has all the big things that don’t fit in my kitchen!!! 😅
Thank you for sharing I have a subscription it's come in a small little box every month and I used them to arrange my utility draw I wish my house was as organised as that draw it looks so beautiful now
Thank you so much Kay! I've been implementing kitchen organization since your kitchen zoning video blew my mind and this is another motivator. One thing I do that is weird but might work for others, I store the glass containers (which I also cook in) in my prep/cooking area and the lids (plastic) in the storage/cleanup area. When I clean up a meal, I pop a lid on and put it in the fridge. It's across the kitchen from each other, but on the way to the fridge 😉
I recently had my husband make me some shelves for my coat closet to house all my unsightly small appliances. It works wonders. No more barely used appliances on my counters. We remodeled last year and I somehow have less cabinet space.
Also, I have been decanting for a couple of years and I love it! Great video. Thank you!
😊
LOVE THE IDEA OF STICK ON POCKETS!!
I don’t need any more organization in my kitchen and I even transformed a large linen closet into a pantry. The smaller appliances such as crockpots, Instapot, roasters, mixers and blenders are all in there. I just put it all together yesterday after painting the walls and shelves.
However, I LOVE to hear all of the ideas out there from various organizers. You all have gems!
My most favorite spice storage method is grouping them by type in bins. The bins are in a low drawer and the jars are labeled on top. I can easily grab one jar or bin.
A few bins:
Herbs: oregano, basil, marjoram, chervil...
Indian: garam masala, cumin, coriander...
General: white pepper, onion salt, lemon pepper, sesame seed...
When my kitchen is organized, and clean, somehow I often feel happy and dance, cause the floor is good for spinning, like the shower is good for new ideas and singing!! The videos you make are so positive and super helpful. "Bottom and back" are the problems in a few problem areas on my kitchen. For those with a wide passthrough shelf: much better to put spices along this shelf than decor! Just discovered this about a year ago and it truly is fantastic. Requires quarterly dusting or more often if you like!
My problem with decanting spices is the leftover from the original container that also needs to be stored.
I saw another TH-camr recommend that same pot collection. I wish I needed new ones and had the space. I would definitely get them.
Such great tips. Love her vibe. She’s beautiful.
I love your tips about spices, as alphabetizing them worked wonders for me. I also implement the turntable. I have not had good luck with the step shelves (I find the jars don't always fit and/or they still topple off as I'm trying to find things). My solution: Easy to grab small baskets -- I label the jar lids with the name or alphabetized letter. Everything is accessible, and it uses the full depth of the shelf to maximize storage, without losing anything in the back! I take the whole "savoury spices" basket down to the counter when cooking (I am likely to need onion powder, garlic salt, cumin, curry etc in the same recipe anyway, so it saves juggling multiple jars) then the whole basket goes back to the cupboard when done. EASY! There's a separate basket for leafy herbs: oregano, parsley, bay leaves, etc. which is set up the same way. I use a two-tier turntable for the whole spices and their ground cousins (i.e. cinnamon, cloves nutmeg) and for any miscellaneous items like spice blends. There is one more basket (on the top shelf) for the overflow/decanting. I have not seen anyone else use this solution -- and I've watched hundreds of kitchen organizing videos. Please give it a try and let me know what you think!
Junk drawer at my house has been called the press (cupboard) of doom and dread for about 15 years. I have a cupboard only just one and jez it gets really overwhelming. I sort it though at least every month. Thankfully its the one messy place in my kitchen.
Great fabulous tips. I'm having new kitchen cupboard fronts fitted tomorrow so I will be using some your tips
First visit here! That's me, a day ( year) late and a dollar short. Super ideas, I love how you present them.
Welcome! I hope you enjoy the content 🥰
I don't leave out coffee stuff, paper towels, no clothes or sponges. My one deco bottle for soap is for dishes and hand washing. Love the fantasy self thoughts!
Hi from Arizona 🌵
I’m watching this on repeat 🔁 soo much good info! Thank you Kay!
Really enjoyed this video! I think you're right about decanting, and I think a lot of it is about visual uniformity. It looks calmer, so your brain feels calmer.
Those pans are gorgeous!! Shame we don't have them in the U.K.!
I would add for appliances, even if I use it every day, how long does it actually need to be out? I use my coffee grinder every day, but for maybe a minute or two. That's it. So I made space to keep it down below and I haven't looked back. I pull it out, plug it in, use it, top it up, and put it away again each and every day. Haha. My husband is resistant, but the toaster oven is next! That does not even get used every day in my house, but again, for such a short period of time. It doesn't need to permanently occupy that lovely invaluable counter space!
Thank you for the organizing of the kitchen I need it so badly!
Thanks for the motivation. Just cleared off my counters which forced me to declutter my cabinets.
We used the spice shelves for years, but have recently switched to the Elfa over the door pantry organizer. It also holds our swiffer pads and trash bags!
The item with the steps that you use for the spices, I use for my canned goods so I can see what's in the back. I think I will look into the spinning turntables. Great ideas as always. Thanks Kay!
❤️ cabinet shelf and under shelf . I will keep them in mind when I get my own place again. Never knew about them. Pull outs are my parents kitchen and they ❤️ it. ❤️ your shirt.
I bought spice bottles to decant all my current spices. They were shipped in a box that had a firm foam base with opening to prevent damage to the bottles in shipping. How delightful to discover that it fit in my spice drawer so I labeled the lids and alphabetized. Bonus is that replacement spices come in the same bottles from Walmart’s marketside line so I don’t need to decant, just exchange the lid.
🤣You are so cute & funny!! I loved this video & info is the bomb!
I absolutely decant but i never label. I simply cut the label on the package and sometimes the cooking instructions, and put it insiste the container. I find that it works better for me because it's easy and i change the type of product in the container without having to Change it's labels.
Just me with my oats in a flour container for months because I haven't changed the label haha
I keep a list on my phone alphabetically with the date. Then I can whip through it to see what’s out of date and grab it.
@@hellototheworld I write what's in it on the bottom of the jar. Just in case I forget what chocolate chips and tea bags look like ... hahah.
Love these ideas Kay! You must be loving your new home. 😁
I discovered that preparing (mixing) my spices in advance, making batches, and then putting them in small containers help me with prepping foods. Dishes that I cook on a regular basis. Seasoning/rubs for fish, chicken, pasta dishes, soup, mex. Rice.
Wonderful tips for creating an organized kitchen ❤❤
The concept of the utility drawer is so huge, but for me, it wasn't reallt appreciated until I learned this from you a few years ago and seriously, huge difference!
When our apartment kitchen got remodeled (we're renters), we lost cabinet and drawer space so we do have stuff that lives on our counters, but thankfully we have decent counter space still. We love to cook so I've rearranged/organized the kitchen a few times. We don't have a good spot for a pantry, so we have one awkward cabinet for dry good stuff, but I also got a 2-drawer Elfa unit to stick in a cabinet where I've decanted our dry goods in like rice, seeds, beans and so on. I labeled the lids so I can pull the drawer out and see what is in each jar. I did the same for our spice & herb drawer which is great. It's not super pretty, but it's 100% functional.
I just found you. You have such a pleasant voice❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. It’s a pleasure to
Listen to you🙌🏻
Pull out storage is THE best.
This may not be the best solution for everyone, but, under my kitchen sink, there is a spot to the side which is like one of those "bottom and back" places. My sink cupboard doors are narrow, and it's not easy to reach over to this side place. So, besides using locker three locker shelves across the back of the kitchen sink cupboard to better store my things, to the side I needed to do something different with a lower shelf, which I have as a shoe shelf or I don't know what it's called, but it fits in there. Underneath, I have plastic shoe boxes with lids to store things and that works well. But, and I know I'm long winded, what I'm getting at, is that for convenient storage of things on top of the low shelf in that side space, I'm using a small plastic bucket to store dishcloths and softer things like that. It's easy to pull the bucket in and out, since it's round and there are no corners to bump against the narrow cupboard door opening. But, what's really unusual and functional, is that my kitchen scrubbies and all are separated from the dishcloths in the bucket, by storing them in the OXO plastic cookie jar, which sits right on top of the dishcloths and barmops in the bucket. I'm telling you, this works very well. I can so easily grab the OXO container just by the lid, and then grab and go with what I need. The OXO container fits effortlessly inside the bucket and on top of the barmops and such, it always works and I don't have to think about it. Using the bucket and the OXO container, I have vertical separation of items, functionally like shelves, but, I can also very easily access them in their inconvenient side location. It works so well, and the OXO "pop" lids are also great in how they seal with just a push on the lid. The only drawback is that the scrubbies need to be dry before they go back into the OXO container, but that's not an issue for me. Anyhoo, I don't expect that the bucket/OXO cookie jar solution will work for everyone, but, I hope it can generate creative ideas for other solutions.
I recommend magnetic spice containers. You can put them on the inside of a cabinet door by installing a little metal sheet.
Re: Spices - I have narrow plastic organizers that I put some ethnic cooking spices into such as Indian Spices, the container including garam masala, cumin, ginger, curry, etc. so it's all together and I'm not chasing around the spice rack looking for all the needed items. Same can be done with Mexican, Japanese, etc. Also, rather than decanting EVERYTHING, I often put things like different types of rice packages into one large decanter. Easy to grab hold of, especially when deciding last minute, what kind of rice to serve with your main course. Types of salt, grinds of pepper, ditto.
Please do a follow up with the cookware a year later. Nonstick all are great in the beginning… I’m looking for a set that lasts.
I'll keep you updated! The instructions on how to care for it are very specific so I'll make sure to report back!
Thank you for your very useful and realistic tips ❤
Have watched a lot of these organising videos but I actually got some really helpful ideas from this one. My kitchen is quite small so any time I can make better use of a space I’m a happy camper. Thanks so much, sending love from South Australia
Love this video! I just saw this video today but everything that you suggested , I did when we started moving from our old house to this one. We moved over a week ago. Before we moved when I said I wasn’t putting certain appliances on the counter, he looked at me like I had two heads. He can’t understand it 🤨so I’m going to show him this video😉. And it was also funny what you said about the “ junk drawer”, I renamed ours to the “ catch all” drawer because I thought that if it’s junk, it should be trash however, I like “utility “ better. I haven’t finished watching this, so I can’t wait to see what else you suggested. Great minds think alike 😂.
I have my spices grouped by use/type. I group my Italian spices, Latin spices, pepper & hot spices, etc. It's not a perfect system, but so far it is working for me.
(Love your videos, thanks!)
I used to do alphabetical. I like to organize by cuisine better, everything is together. I am putting my pantry together by cuisine, so all ingredients can be collected at once. I have trays to carry them from pantry area to assembly place in the kitchen
@@jillianguilford5191 I like the idea of organizing the whole pantry by cuisine (& the tray idea would be very useful).
Love love love these organizing tips.💚😊🙋🏾♀️
I think this is the earliest I've ever been
Thks. good tips. So many comments! Some issues not addressed in 1980s builders grade U-shape kitchen. e.g. narrow openings for deep DEAD corners in narrow "U-shaped" kitchen - both upper and lower cabinets, this also means very narrow space in corner beside fridge, and on both sides of stove (bottom of U). (Unlike my son's student kitchen and rental where there was room to use a large but shallow Sterilite storage bin without its lid as a "drawer" in the dead corners, there's no room to get one in the narrow door and around the 90 degree angle between the stove and fridge or under the sink beside the drawers/stove.) There is only one small vertical bank of drawers. At the end with table/chairs there's a DEEP pantry with narrow double doors which is difficult to get at things in rows. We need duplicates of many things as half family is gluten free so we have MANY flour alternatives (11 kinds plus need to make different mixtures to bake) and special ingredients, both GF and regular cookies, crackers, pastas; and in freezer - breads, buns;....separate toasters. Two cooks in a small kitchen: one short, one tall.
I have been unsuccessful with some things I've tried, but have done some of your tips successfully for years. In the pantry, I do have great over the door (Elfe?) racks - one narrow door there's two for spices (alpha) (one below other) and a different kind on the second pantry door that has several rows ~3 or 4" deep for cocoa, baking powder, misc. and below that a mounted holder with several vertical slots for foil, parchment, wrap, freezer bags. Other successes include to compensate for lack of drawers: hanging metal bin over lower doors (inside) for scrubbers (not sponge) bottle brush, two more for oils/vinegars, added an old buffet with legs cut short to match the counter height for cutlery drawers & storage (too big though.) Painted antique round table with bench at one end (which hasn't been great didn't work as well as hoped). (There's three doors - dining room, hall, walkout on end to patio; and two windows - picture window and over sink.) It's complicated! Anything spark ideas?
Thank you for the kick. I =so= have an illusion of my fantasy self. Guilty! Haha. Great advice. I need to do some major rehaul. Btw, came here from Denise's channel.
Thanks for sharing this video I really enjoyed it
That junk drawer suggestion was very helpful!
Also appreciated the quasi alpha for spices. Perfection is only a moment in time. Enjoy the moment then move on and live. Thanks for your videos
This is my first time to see your video and it was great!!! Great information and made me clean out my kitchen!!! Thank You!
I am looking for the best way to label my small spice jars. Your suggestion as I don't have a Cricut.
I use chalk markers for recanting items or fridge stuff. Works great. Got the markers at Dollar Tree! They wash off easily but also rub off easily so I just have to be careful on how I grab stuff. But using these allows me to also add expiration date and brand on the containers 🫙
Thanks. The most used spices, oils, vinegars are closest to the front. However, only tall goes at the back of every shelf and cupboard. If I sometimes, forget, I’ll add a small list across from them insides their door(s) and/or a sensor light. Some with the fridge, taller items closer to the back or else nothing goes there. Cheers🙂.
Oh my gosh, you really got me at “your fantasy self”!😂🤣 Such a *true* statement!! Loved the whole video and very happy I found your channel! New sub!!🥰
My storage is very limited as I have a small kitchen. I put my spices in overhead tiny cupboards on turntables and I can just spin and grab and return very easily. I can just reach the spices on my tiptoes because it’s over my range hood. Great video!
This was great. We had 3 of those drawers that shall remain nameless. Finally got it down to 1 and now it's only things I need like a pen and paper, tape, things like that.
Love your channel! Just found it today!!❤❤❤
Love the trivet storage organizer! Gonna use that one for cutting boards. So annoying how I stand them up on side of cabinet & they always fall down.
My problem with putting away all appliances is the "out of sight, out of mind". I'm more likely to use it regularly if I leave it out.
To be fair.. if you have to be reminded to use it you probably don't really need it.
@@DC-nw3uc For others, but can't say that for me. I am not going to remember everything I own at every moment. Plus I hate under counter cabinet storage because things get lost and push back behind other things. Everyone can find ways that work best for them. Some people leave their appliances out as kitchen decor like those bulky 50s style mixers. Which I love the look, but know I wouldn't use it so I don't have one.
@@sheilaspastelrainbowvision Yeah I totally get it. I wasn't hating on you at all. :)
@@sheilaspastelrainbowvision I totally get you Sheila, I have ADHD and have the same issue. I found a video that talks about four different types of organisers, two are visual, two are let’s hide it. I’m a Bee - a visual organiser ( I need to be able to see everything) and it suddenly made sense.
@@Craftgirly That is why I use see through storage. I like seeing what is inside vs taking every box down and making a mess looking for something. Labels are nice, but sometimes not the easiest way to find things still. I have even tried making lists, but to be honest; that gets very tedious after a while. So I often reorganizing and am looking for new ways that work better for me.
This video gained me as a subscriber to this channel ❤
Very helpful tips - I'll have a new kitchen by the end of the year (Grannie Flat!) and my daughter's hubby and their builder do a great job with kitchen storage!
Tip:
I recently began sprouting again, and decanted a dozen sprouting mixes into empty spice jars, and they fit beautifully into a plastic bin, which i store in the fridge! (And a second batch of single seeds) i put labels on the sides, and marked the tops with a sharpie. It's Easy Peasy to choose a single seed, or small salad seed mix or larger bean mix, and my metal dish drainer from Ikea is at the perfect angle for good drainage!
I wash my dishes by hand, so leave the rack on the counter.
I group different herb and spice containers by shape, and have several storage shelves they fit - so I group by uses as someone else mentioned.
I also have loose herbal and green or black tea in small jars and tins ...
The house is now *almost done* (as many projects, took longer than planned - especially working around city requirements and communication ...)
Looks like I'll have a Coooktop and air fryer - and I'm looking at turntables for the corner cabinet and one shelf in the fridge!
I'm also thinking of a herb and spice rack - maybe one that will mount on the kitchen side of the fridge! I also have a lovely Indian spice round container with stainless steel containers, that I like by the stove.
What containers do you use to sprout in?
Love it! I just did a declutter of my kitchen in a couple areas and need to revisit the rest. Going to check out those pans!
They are beautiful I’m obsessed 😍
@@TheOrganizedSoprano I've been using Matfer Borgeat (probably spelling that wrong) pans for a few years as non stick, and they work, but aren't nearly as beautiful as these. In fact, they aren't pretty at all. But the weird chemical risks with other nonstick has always made me choose another option. When I bought my house, it came with a glass top stove and I was worried my cast iron would scratch and crack it, so the Matfer pans were my option. These pans! Ugh! But what color to get??? 😍
I just switched to glass storage containers - I love them! I nest of them by size and then put the covers flat on the shelf below them.
Great tips. Thank you for sharing
I haven’t seen your channel in a bit, but your intro is great! This video is just in time!
Good to see you! Welcome back ❤️
Such great tips! Thank you!
Thanks for suggesting using removable labels for expiration dates. Awesome idea!
Thanks Greetings from New York City!👍🏼🇵🇷🗽❤️
Beware of containers that don't seal completely. Always make sure they are air tight to avoid bugs and food going bad. I like those purple 💜 snap lidded containers sold at Dollar Tree. OXO is a great brand too, but higher priced.
Great tips.
I especially agree with the one about having tidy worktops. I get really stressed when mine are untidy.
I can never work out why some people have jars/canisters of spaghetti & rice etc on their worktops. Why not just put them in a cupboard.
Just curious, don’t many people in the US have a kettle in their kitchen? Here in the UK a kettle is the norm.
I have a glass kettle but it’s not the norm. I say it’s probably about 50/50 kettle vs nothing at all. I think kettles are for tea drinkers and French press/pour over coffee people which I think in America is less common than a good ole coffee machine 😆
Haha no I’d say the ratio of electric kettle owners is WAY less than half for the average American household. I had a stovetop one for years and then invested in a $20 glad one which has been my fave kitchen purchase to date! Also I think most apartments have less cupboard/cabinet space for food AND we tend to keep more on hand than European households. I watch a ton of kitchen org videos And I’m still surprised by it
@@mamat1213 I thin like electric kettles are WAY less common than a stovetop one. A lot of older folks still have kettles on the stove and they don’t show their homes online 😆 I still don’t know at least half of the people I know have kettles but I live on the east coast in New England 🤷🏽♀️ it’s probably much different in like AZ where it’s hot as hell all the time lol
Some people like the look of them. Cas from Clutterbug talks about different organizing styles and some people like things out other like things put away. And then, sometimes it simple a matter of space.
I literally have 4 small drawers in my kitchen.. and that's only because I put two small cheap islands back to back. I still use one of those drawers for .. stuff. I have a hammer, small drill, screws, nails, tape, batteries, a pen and labels. Stuff that really we DO use on a regular basis.
I store spices in accordance to how often they're used.. I'm not a spice junkie like some people seem to be, so the small rack by the stove is perfect... except for the fact that my grinders are too fat for it.
I needed this video. My kitchen needs help. I'm laughing because of what you said in your AC stream about the titles of videos.
Hi Kay. Just found your channel , 1st time. Your tips are Great!! I need to organize my spices. I try to keep them in there original bottle, but it is better if they are all the same size. It makes it easier. I also like that you suggested to keep them Alphabetized. It makes cooking quicker. Thank you 😊😊❤❤
Thanks for your tips!
I have been calling mine a utility drawer for decades...It always stays neater