An organised Kitchen

Decluttering and organising the heart of the home

I spend a lot of time in various kitchens. In my own and in other people's kitchens. If I was asked which room I'm most often contacted about by clients, the answer would definitely be the kitchen and I love getting to work decluttering and organising the kitchens of Essex and beyond.

My own kitchen is the place where we gather together in the morning and the place we return to to talk over the events of the day. It's the place where we pour a drink and chat while we cook. Its the place where I pull up a stool and plan for the week ahead and get organised. It's the place where I sit with a cup of tea and write this blog. It's home to my baking drawer which raises a smile whenever I open it and it's a refuge, a place of comfort and familiarity. When the skies are leaden and the rain is pouring I love nothing better than retreating to the warmth of the kitchen and cooking up a storm.

Our kitchens are used for so many activities and for me, the start of the decluttering and organising process in any kitchen is to fully understand how my client and their family uses the space. If you're planning a kitchen declutter yourself, these questions are a good starting point for thinking about how you use your space and time:

• Do you actively enjoy cooking and creating in the kitchen or is cooking more of a necessary process for you?

• Do you prefer to cook from scratch, buy more ready meals, love take aways or a mixture of everything?

• Do you enjoy baking?

• If you have children, what activities do they do in the kitchen?

• Do you eat in the kitchen or elsewhere?

• With so many working from home, is your kitchen also used as a workspace?

• Do you run a business from your kitchen?

• Do you use the kitchen for other activities such as crafting?

The more I understand how a client uses their kitchen, the more effective I can be in when organising for them. Once I have a clear idea of how the space is used it's important to talk about how the kitchen should look and feel. Are you aiming for cosy or calm, are completely clear work surfaces your idea of heaven or do you prefer more of your appliances and cookware on display? Do you want everything tucked away behind cupboard doors or out where you can see it?

Once we have the foundations laid we can make the most effective use of the time during your session to declutter and organise and the same is true if you're decluttering and organising the space yourself.

But kitchen organisation doesn't end at the end of a Dunmow Decluttering session. Incorporating short regular planning sessions into your life is the key to keeping your space organised and can save you a great deal of time in the long run. Try to make time on a regular basis for these activities:

Knowing exactly what's in your cupboards, fridge and freezer will help you plan meals making the best use of what you already have, ensure that food doesn't go to waste and make your food shopping that much easier. It may even save you money.

If you need any help getting organised in your kitchen don't hesitate to get in contact.

Nikki

Dunmow Decluttering

Essex Professional Organiser