Clear off counter tops

Clear up counter space by storing small kitchen appliances, like rice cookers or crock pots, in cupboards or drawers.  Downsize on unnecessary appliances or bulky stock items. Do you really need a toaster AND a toaster oven?  Free up kitchen space by swapping bulky cases of bottled water for a whole house water system and get clean, filtered water straight from the tap. 

Optimize your storage.

Re-organizing your kitchen shelves can do wonders. Start by taking everything out.  Only keep items you use regularly.  If you have adjustable shelving, create shorter or taller heights to accommodate your storage needs. Store food using clear containers and/or labels so it’s easy to tell what’s inside. Lazy Susans, drawer dividers and adding additional shelving are also key for getting a polished look for your pantry.

Store by category.

Storing food and cookware by category keeps your kitchen organized.  For example, spices and oils should be kept near the stove where you’ll use them the most. 

Take inventory of your pantry.

Toss or donate old pantry food you haven't touched.  If you haven’t used it in the past year, you probably won’t use it….or it’s gone bad. Remember to look at the expiration date if you’re donating.  Make a grocery list of all the food you need to replace and do it before you forget.