All this time at home means one thing: ample time to do the deep cleaning and organizing you’ve been meaning to get around to for what seems like forever. The best part is, the whole family can chip in and do their part. Identifying what you already own and intend to keep is the first step in determining what kind of storage is best suited for your lifestyle.
Identify What You’ll Keep
The key to figuring out what kind of storage you need is figuring out what you already have and intend on keeping. Empty your cabinets and drawers and toss anything that is worn out, no longer functions, or is broken beyond repair. Create a donation box for items that you don’t use or want but are in good shape. Remember, many donation locations are currently closed so set this aside and out of the way.
Organize Strategically
Organize StrategicallyNow, with everything on your countertops, set aside items to display such as heirloom dishware or decorative kitchenware for storage in a hutch, or behind glass-front cabinets. With everything left, examine it critically. Is each item being stored near an area where it is most likely to be used? Are the knives and cutting boards near the prep spaces? Pots and pans easily accessed near the stove? Think about how you use your kitchen and what makes the most sense for your lifestyle.
Identify Storage Inadequacies
You will almost inevitably discover that some of your items don’t fit in the places you would like them to be or can’t be stored in an organized manner with the storage you currently have. Identify these points of friction in your current layout or with the types of existing storage in your space. Do you only have huge drawers with no internal separators to stop your pots and pans from colliding into one messy heap? Are your knives simply thrown into a drawer to slide around dangerously and making them dull? Do you have enough easy-access outlet space to charge important electronics and appliances?
Research Storage Options
Cabinet manufacturers have all sorts of storage solutions for kitchens and beyond. Take a look at our kitchen website and this handy Cabinet Storage Guide to see some of the solutions that are available to you.
Consult a Designer
Finally, at Fairview Millwork and Kitchens, an in-home consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable kitchen designers is absolutely FREE. SCHEDULE your appointment now to learn about all of your storage and layout options across all of the top-quality brands with which Fairview has long-standing relationships.
Finally, remember that this organizing and storage evaluation process is not limited to your kitchen. Our cabinet solutions are perfect for bathrooms, closets and beyond! With all of the time you’ll be spending indoors, you could begin the spring season as the most organized house on the block.
