Sometimes I think the state of the kitchen is a reflection of how my day is going. Go ahead, guess what kind of a day I was having when I snapped that photo.
Yesterday, however, was better. Since the above photo was taken several days ago, yesterday automatically started on a better note because all those dishes had at least switched places with new dirty dishes. Which of course means I am making progress.
Or running around in circles, which is also a fair conclusion.
But since yesterday was full of sunshine and warm weather, I felt like I was making progress because instead of getting stressed with what I hadn’t done, I focused on what I was doing (I’m not trying to be Super Mom). I was popping both boys into swim suits and turning our little back deck into a water wonderland. No kiddy pool required: we had plastic tablecloths, buckets, pitchers, bowls, and empty soap bottles. One thing that could’ve made it better was a bubble machine.
After the boys were exhausted and napping, the dishes and kitchen were still waiting patiently for me.
It was time to get my kitchen on.
I’ve been wanting to purge and revamp our little Cheapskate Cook kitchen for awhile, and Simple Mom’s Project Simplify offered an ideal opportunity to do it and join the fun with other home managers at the same time. Misery loves company right? However, in this case, the company completely negated any misery. I love organizing, and I love doing it with other people. Go here to see those other people’s progress as well.
Since I’m already a minimalist, there wasn’t a lot to purge. However, our kitchen is small enough that I need to keep a tight reign on the clutter and organization or the whole thing just gets difficult to work with and I start avoiding spending time in there.
So this week I tightened up the places that grown sloppy, purged items that were preventing this space from being efficient or enjoyable, and ignored the inevitable nagging feeling that I might someday need those items at least one time. Oh yeah, and I did lots of dishes.
Details below.
Corner Cupboards:
{Before}
You know how corner cupboards get. They tend to become miscellaneous storage and are the hardest part of the kitchen for me to maintain.
What I got rid of:
- Jars whose labels refuse to come off cleanly
- A jar of split peas that I bought two years ago
- Baby formula samples that had expired
What I rearranged:
- Empty soap containers I had been collecting for the boys to play with (see talk about water wonderland above)
- Stray items that had been shoved into the recesses of the cupboards
- Dishes that I rarely use and don’t have to be easily accessible (got shoved into said recesses)
- Decided one shelf wasn’t enough to hold the jars and vases. Thanks to getting rid of baby formula, now they have two
[After}
Children’s Dishes:
{Before}
What I got rid of:
- Bowls that weren’t BPA-free and that I never use
- Bottles that I never use for Chase anyway – kept two out
What I rearranged:
- Switched bowls and basket so it’s easier to take basket out (that’s where we toss sippy cups too so sometimes we have to dig around in there)
- Moved baby spoons and forks into a mug instead of in a drawer with teaspoons and miscellaneous things
[After}
Places Not Pictured:
Counter clutter – Moved things around and stashed some of it in cupboards (neatly)
Cupboards over fridge – Those scary storage cupboards. I’ve been working at them for a few weeks so there wasn’t too much to finish up
Dishes – And more dishes, and more dishes
The end result was well worth it:
Now I’m ready to make dinner.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Have you ever joined Project: Simplify? Do you enjoy organizing?
Cheers,
8 comments
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Bama Girl
03/16/2012 at 6:55 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hi Steph! Your kitchen transformed beautifully! I hate to admit it, but mine looks like yours did, right now! I like how you put your kids first, and let them be priority, instead of the other way around! It’s so easy to do what we think is more important first, then have fun later. The thing with that is, if we do the ‘important’ things first, there’s never any time left to do the fun things. Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
Alana in Canada
03/16/2012 at 10:19 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I thought my kitchen was small! Holy Dinah. I think I ould go starkers in there–how do you even have room to put dishes from the dishwasher away? My hat is off to you and I bow. Congtrats on getting it under control.
Steph
03/16/2012 at 2:02 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Lol, thanks. We’ve been here for a few years now so I hardly even notice. Unless someone else is in there and we inevitably end up walking over each other. Loading the dishwasher is almost a science – if you stand on the right side of the sink, you can open it and reach the sink of dirty dishes, the dishwasher, and most of the cupbaords where clean dishes go to.
Dottie
03/16/2012 at 2:38 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Okay, your kitchen is even smaller than mine ( I never thought possible truly) and you have it so well organized and neat! I now have no excuse.
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
03/16/2012 at 6:38 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Wow, you did a great job! I’m impressed! Want to come and organize my kitchen now?
Mary
03/29/2012 at 8:17 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
YAY! We were both doing this last week! It feels wonderful to walk into a shiny and clear kitchen now and know exactly what is hiding inside each cupboard. I was already feeling blessed beyond words to have so much space here in my own home, but the peek into your kitchen is another awesome reality check.
My first kitchen was even smaller than yours and I had completely forgotten how luxurious it felt to simply have more than a handful of cabinets! Have a blessed week and enjoy that kitchen!
Ava
07/01/2012 at 1:42 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hello, I was wondering where you got your Menu Planner (or calendar) that is on your refrigerator? I would like to find one similiar to yours. Thanks!
Steph
07/01/2012 at 2:09 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
It was a gift, but I think it was from Walgreens or CVS. It’s been very handy!
Giving Thanks » The Cheapskate Cook
11/19/2012 at 11:20 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[...] My tiny kitchen that has been the source of so much frugal fun and frustrating organization issues [...]