Organizing Kitchen Gadgets

Tackling the Kitchen Gadget Monster Drawer.

On New Years Eve... I was hosting a family party at my home.

My Mother asked me where a serving spoon was... and I opened my drawer to this.

We all should have screamed in horror!!!

How could I have such a mess??

Clearly... I had neglected some of my kitchen space.

How does an Organizer let something like this happen??

I will blame it on grief... but I honestly have no idea. 

I am just as shocked as the rest of you.

I couldn't have a drawer like this!!!!

I went to work ASAP.

As I emptied every drawer and cupboard in the kitchen.. I also found three rolling pins.

WHAT IN THE ??????????

Have I been living in my house??

I only use one rolling pin maybe 5-10 times a year.

I am not a master baker.. or fancy chef...so why would I need three???

I went on a De-junking spree!

We are going to play a game.

The game is called what are each of these utensils.

What are they even used  for?

And why on earth would I hold onto these when I don't know what they are?

Epic Fail. 

After De-junking... I sent my pile of  crap Utensils to the Thrift store.

BYE, BYE!!

I will not miss your cluttered-mess!

Hello Happy Drawer Organization.

After De-junking.. put everything you are keeping into groups that they go in.

example: Serving spoons, Tongs, Spatula's, Measuring cups.. etc.

Next... measure your space.

I needed to keep most of my serving spoons and tongs because I host so many parties.. and we use them often.  If I didn't.... I would have tossed out much more.

Notice I even made room on the side for one rolling pin.

I am using up every bit of my kitchen space because I have so little.

Next... make sure that the drawer is functional. 

The things you use most in the front.. to grab quickly.. and the tray in the back is the stuff we only use every once in a while.

We use spatulas every single day.

So.. I gave them their very own easy-to-grab-space where the once in a while rolling pins were once tragically housed.

They are HAPPY there.

My husband was pleased.

The second drawer that "housed" my stuff wasn't so unorganized.. but when I did the other drawer.. I wanted them to match.. because I am OCD like that.

Does anyone else LOVE the old vintage measuring cups like I have?

LOVE that they have a  3/4 and 2/3 cup.  

The last drawer I have that houses Kitchen Gadgets I decided to use these smaller 99 cent trays.

Once again I arranged space for the most used measuring spoons in the front.. and then made order of importance as I went to the back of the drawer.

It has been a good experience for me to have to make good use of the little space I have in my kitchen.. but man... I do have plans.. and organizing dreams for when we remodel our kitchen.

Until then... I organize for the space I have!

The other 3 most popular ways to organize kitchen gadgets are:

(1)

Hanging on Hooks

While the OCD part of me LOVES this.. there is also a little bit that makes me nervous.

I can see this being functional for some families.. but it would not be for mine.

Hooks are not so easy to put away as they look. 

All 3 of my children put away the dishes.. and this would be a "task" in itsself.

Remember... good organization is easy to retrieve.. and put away.

So... I question if it's really so functional.. even though it's eye candy.

Each person, living situation  and home is unique. 

You can always try something.. and if it doesn't work... change it to make it work!

(2)

Magnetic Strips

While this may be functional for a few... this scares me way too much.

Maybe it's because I have seen too many horror movies.. and this is very easy access for a serial killer...

or maybe it's the Mommy in me that is terrified that my wide-eyed children will find this wall decor to be all too appealing...

I could even see my children thinking it would be a "fun" game to throw it at the board and watch it stick.

Yikes!!

I shudder as I think about it.

but I personally give it a low score on safety.

(3)

Putting it out in containers on your counter tops.

While I do have one container that houses a few of my "quick grab" utensils.. it is far away from the oven and sink to avoid grease spatter and germy things splashing on them.

It is functional.. but it can collect dust... and too many containers can become a cluttered mess on your counter top.

Choose the Best for your family.

Think "Functional" in everything you do in making space in your home.

*************

I have some openings for Enrichment classes for February and a few in March.

I will travel most area's in Utah within an hour of where I live.

And they are free!!!

Happy De-junking and Organizing!!

Today I am Grateful for:

Downton Abbey's continuing story-still addicted!

Helping others get their homes in order.

Buying myself fresh flowers yesterday.. just because.

Energy to work

Chad and the kids letting me teach classes once a week