De-cluttering checklist: Kitchen

In this four-part series, we give you a checklist for ensuring that your kitchen remains clutter free

When it comes to cutting the clutter in your kitchen, you might need to carve out a full day to get the ball rolling but once done, you will be able to keep the clutter to a minimum.
We break down the checklist for decluttering your kitchen interiors into one-time, monthly and yearly steps to make the process feel less overwhelming.

One-Time Overhaul
·         Invest in pull-out cabinets/shelves, they provide easy access to hard-to-reach places (see our story ‘Organise the supplies you buy in bulk’). 
·         Invest in corner-shelves to store items like a spice rack, a spoon stand etc.
·         Make your own kitchen peg-board, perfect for hanging things you use often (see our story ‘DIY: Kitchen pegboard’).
·         Make use of all vertical surfaces including your fridge door. Get a multipurpose, magnetic kitchen paper towel holder and
           dispenser.
·         Keep your recipes and menus organised according to cuisine type in D-ring binders.

Yearly/Half-yearly checklist
These tips undertaken once or twice a year help reduce the amount of crockery that piles up (see our story ‘Organise your crockery’). 
·         Broken handles, chipped crockery and old dishes that cannot be repaired should be disposed off or upcycled for other uses.
·         Take a look at your pots, pans and other crockery – what is never used or has multiples should be donated.
·         A great de-cluttering tool is a wire rack used to stack plates and pot lids.
·         Stack away crockery, cutlery and ingredients in cabinets and drawers to keep your counter tops free, making your kitchen look
           neater.
 

Monthly checklist
Once a month, focus on de-cluttering your pantry (see our story ‘Organise your pantry’)
·         Get rid of all expired food items. 
·         Using clear, rectangular bottles and see-through storage containers helps save space and time.

Weekly checklist
Focus your efforts on the contents of your fridge once a week.
·         Get rid of old and expired products. 
·         Clean out your fridge and give it a good wipe down. Remember to clean your microwave oven as well (see our story ‘Dirty
           secrets: Kitchen’).
·         Place a fridge de-odourizer in one of the door shelves.  
·         Write down a shopping list for the next week’s supplies checking what you already have. This ensures you don’t buy extras.

Daily checklist
A few daily habits can really help cut the clutter (see our story ‘How to spring clean your home in 8 hours’.) 
·         Put spices and sauce bottles back in their allotted place after use. 
·         Take a quick look around at the end of the day to replace what isn’t in its spot.

Read more articles about kitchen designs.
Discover inspirational living room ideas for your home décor at Beautiful Homes.