For many homeowners and families, the kitchen is the center of activity in the home. This is where meals are prepared, where members of the family go to grab a drink or a snack at any time of the day. Aside from the meal preparation and food storage, the kitchen is also where many families gather to plan the day’s activities, or talk about how their day is going, or where parents help their kids with homework while making dinner.
More than just an area where meals are cooked, the kitchen has become, at least to many households, the converging point of the home. In fact, you will find many households where the kitchen countertops or bar area is where the family members usually hang out and talk to each other, more than the living room which is usually reserved for television viewing. In homes where there is a kitchen entrance, entertaining friends and family can also take place in the kitchen.
When preparing your home for sale, it is important to neutralize the kitchen as much as possible to allow the potential buyers to see themselves in the space. But at the same time, you also want to highlight the potential of your kitchen area, so you would want to have a thoughtful and creative way of organizing the kitchen, not only for the house showings, but also to assist you as you use the kitchen while the house is up for sale.
Here are some simple kitchen organization tips that may be able to assist you:
- Hang responsibly. If you have a smaller kitchen area or limited storage space, make use of the overhead space by hanging pots, pans, and other kitchenware over the countertop or center island. Also, you can install hooks and bars in specific corners where you can hang potholders, washcloths, etc.
- Group stuff according to use. Organize your kitchenware, cooking utensils, dishes, silverware, etc. by grouping those with a similar purpose. Not only will this look more organized, but it will also help you find things much easier when you need them. It also reduces the cluttered look in your kitchen area.
- Maximize drawers and shelves. Label or group kitchen drawers and shelves, keeping tools, plastic containers, food
wrapping and sealing accessories, and other utensils grouped together. Try to keep utensils or tools as close as possible to the area where they are usually utilized, for instance, trash bags close to the trash bin, or baking tools next to the oven. - Consider shelf organizers. Different styles and designs of shelf organizers can be found in stores. You can find sliding or hanging organizers and dividers that make the shelves and other storage spaces look neater.
- Use the right light. Lighting does a lot to make the kitchen look more comfortable and functional. Use the right lighting for work areas. If necessary, install additional lighting such as under shelves or inside cabinets; these are relatively inexpensive but add a lot of flair to your kitchen.
- Consider colorful baskets and boxes. For kitchens with limited floor and storage space, creativity is necessary to keep things out of view. You can look for decorative boxes or baskets that can serve as storage spaces while doubling as accent pieces in your kitchen area. You can stash items that are not as frequently used in baskets, and stack them on top of each other to minimize space needed.
