I’ve never been a big fan of Spring cleaning. The thought of having my head tucked away in a messy closet while the sun is shining and birds are dancing about makes me antsy. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
This year I was determined to better utilize the chilly winter months by organizing various areas of our home.
I’ve always considered myself quite an organized individual, but it’s amazing how quickly things can become scattered in the midst of daily life if you don’t have a system in place. We have only lived in our new home for 2 years, yet already, my kitchen, the place I spend a large amount of my time, has been stressing me out. I had been opening and closing cupboards and drawers for months trying to envision a new system, but felt completely stuck. “If I moved this over here, then where would that go? And what about this? Ugh. Never mind!” And….that’s about as far as I would get.
Thankfully I was able to call upon my friend and professional organizer, Allison Flinn, owner of Reclaim. Allison provides residential and business organizing, however her services are far more extensive than simply reorganizing your closet or kitchen. She also gives guidance to clients with ADHD and provides time management assistance to all who feel like hopeless managers of their time, especially students.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Prior to our time together I hadn’t understood the the immense benefit of having a professional aid with organization until I experienced Allison’s expertise first hand. She re-envisioned my kitchen in a way I wasn’t able to, asked the right questions to help me consider whether items were necessary, and provided specific recommendations for products that would provide a long-term organizational system.
Who doesn’t love before and after photos?! Check out just a few of the many cupboards we were able to transform.
Everyone has a junk drawer, right? But does it have to be so….junky?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
My utensil drawer previously looked like the first picture and with Allison’s assistance we reorganized several drawers to make my utensils accessible based on frequency of use.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
My kitchen island has very awkward cupboards that don’t allow for any of my items to fit nicely under the shelf. Allison guided me through transitioning some devices to another cupboard and all of the accessories for these items are now stored in a basket rather than floating aimlessly throughout the cupboard.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Want to start organizing your kitchen as well? Implement Allison’s 4 tips and you’ll be on your way! If you’re in the Raleigh, NC area contact Allison and allow her expertise to transform any area of your home. Trust me, you’ll be feeling much lighter and brighter because of it! Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
————————————-
Kitchen Confidential: What’s Cooking
Allison Flinn, Reclaim
Chew on this: did you know that the kitchen is the most used room in most homes? With all of that activity, chances are there are probably more than a few items in your kitchen taking up valuable space and collecting dust—which can be a sure recipe for clutter. Time for a clean sweep! It’s crucial to keep your kitchen organized, so you can find what you need…when you need it.
Allison’s Kitchen Tips:
Clean house. Start by removing all items from the pantry, cabinets and fridge. Clean each space thoroughly, then purge unnecessary items. When was the last time you used that crystal gravy boat? How many mugs does your family really need? Keep only what you need and use on a regular basis, and say sayonara to the rest!
Do away with duplicates. How many times have you purchased food items that you already have? If you’re guilty as charged, don’t be too hard on yourself—it’s probably because items get buried in the back of the fridge and cabinets. Keep items easily visible and take stock before you shop by creating a grocery list based on your current “inventory.”
Go, go gadget. As you acquire new kitchen goodies and gadgets, make sure to let some go. (You can follow the tried-and-true “one in, one out” method if it helps you streamline more easily.) This goes for food, too—do a quick scan of your food on the first day of every month for expired foods, and pitch food that’s no longer edible.
Get in the zone. Make your kitchen more intuitive by creating special zones that create proximity between various items and their area of use. For instance, pots and pans should be stored near the oven/stove, while food storage items and glasses should be kept near the fridge. Stash away infrequently used items in higher cabinets.
————————————-
In case you’re wondering the answer to Allison’s question about just how many mugs does one family need?
Well, apparently not this many. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.