Over the next few weeks I am going to concentrate on showing some before and after pictures and giving some insight into how I have worked to achieve the results you see in the after images.
This week I am decluttering and organising storage containers in a kitchen cabinet.
When looking at a collection of containers with lids there are a couple of ways to approach this. You can store the containers by stacking them and keep the lids separate - this is good if you have limited space but can lead to frustration trying to find the correct lid. Or you can stack the containers with the lids on - the method I used in this example.
First of all, here as an example of a small space where the lids have to be kept separate from the bases in order for them to fit:
There is a lot of batch cooking done here to go into the freezer - just in case you were wondering why anyone would use so many containers!! ( also a lot of take aways were consumed in the making of this blog!!!)
Here is the before picture of the actual cupboard to be tackled.
As you can see there is a mix of food storage containers, water bottles, travel cups and various other items all strewn in together.
STEP ONE!
Empty the cupboard completely.
Once the cupboard is completely empty, take the time to give it a wipe down.
Once the cupboard is empty, sort the contents into categories and remove any items which
Don't belong
Are broken
You neither use or like
In this case there is cups and beakers, storage containers, rice steamer and measure, pasta making gadgets and items which belong elsewhere.
Now all the items are gathered together they can be put back into the cupboard. I used a container to put the drinks bottles and cups into so they can be pulled in and out without disturbing everything else in the cupboard. They also now have an obvious home so when people are putting them away they know where they go. The containers all have lids - those without were discarded - and can stack nicely, some could fit inside each other saving precious space.
Nothing was purchased in this organisation project and it certainly isn't the most beautiful cupboard! However it is much better to work with. Everything can be seen and pulled out and put away again easily, which is the aim - a functioning space where there was a jumbled mess!
*UPDATE*
Two and a half weeks later the cupboard is still looking fresh!!
The containers and drinks cups are used regularly. They are easy to access and to put away - functional organisation for the win!
( just to explain - the right hand side of the cupboard only contains pasta making kit belonging to the actual homeowner (me!) the rest of the items belong to the eldest child who has been home during lockdown!)
You can comment below ↓↓ or look at the end of the blog for all the ways you can contact me privately. I love hearing from you with all your ideas and photos of the areas you are working on!!
If you want to delve deeper into finding a ‘system’ which will work for you, you can contact me via my email lindajharper@yahoo.com or using the chat bubble on my website, I would love to help you!
You can message me on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Linda-J-Harper-Professional-Declutterer-and-Organiser-107805011001601.
I am also on Pinterest and Instagram if you need some inspiration! https://www.pinterest.co.uk/adnilenaj1314/boards/