Clear the Clutter Challenge / Week 1 Kitchen

This is the first week of the Clear the Clutter Challenge and we are tackling our kitchen clutter! Today, I will share easy kitchen organization tips. If you have not already joined the Clear the Clutter Challenge, be sure to sign up HERE so that you can receive all the latest decluttering tips! 

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Clear the Clutter Week 1 / Kitchen Decluttering

The kitchen is the hub of the home, so it is a great place to start for the Clear the Clutter Challenge. Since most families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it is really easy for the room to get disorganized. Often times, kitchens are used for other things besides eating including work and studying. The mess can build up really quickly.

Fortunately, once you have your kitchen decluttered, it will set the stage for the rest of the decluttering projects in your home. You will feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete the first week of the Clear the Clutter Challenge.

You have all week to complete the first challenge. Of course, you can work at your own pace on this Decluttering Challenge. But, if you want to stay on track with the eight week program, then you will want to work on the kitchen this week.

Here is how to get started:

1. Write down all of your mini projects

First things first, it is important to get an idea of what tasks you need to do in your kitchen to get rid of clutter. I always suggest breaking down decluttering projects into smaller tasks! 

Mini Kitchen Declutter Projects include:

• Refrigerator Organization (Check out my post on our refrigerator organization ideas)
• Pantry
• Kitchen Cabinets
• Junk Drawers
• Appliances
• Kids Dishes and Cups
• Cookbooks
• Serving Pieces, Trays, Platters
• Tupperware/Food Storage

2. Schedule the Time

You may decide to spend one hour a day all week or maybe you tackle the entire room on a weekend afternoon. Either method works, so you can choose what is best for your schedule! Write it down on your calendar and make sure you follow through on the project.

Even though you will spend a lot of time decluttering, you are saving yourself time in the future. You will spend less time keeping your space organized if you have less clutter. Once everything has a home, you will be able to keep your kitchen tidy and organized!

3. Get it Done

Once it is go time, you just have to dive in and get to work. Keep in mind that you kitchen will be messy before it gets clean. The only way to truly declutter is to take EVERYTHING out of your cupboards and drawers.

You will be a lot more intentional about what you put back into your kitchen when you have a chance to see everything that you own.

4. Find the Right Storage Solutions

Once you decide on everything that you plan to keep, it is time to be very intentional about how you organize your kitchen. This is the time to decide if things could be in a better place. I have changed silverware drawers, cup storage and our junk drawer several times over the years. 

As the kids get older, our needs change, so I need to make changes in the kitchen to make it more functional for our family.

Consider investing in some good organizational tools. While, I do not suggest running out and spending a ton of money on the latest bins, baskets and food containers, a few good key pieces can be really helpful.

To decide on what storage tools to buy, consider your family’s everyday routines. Our family eats a lot of oatmeal and cereal every day for breakfast.

So, I know that I need a lot of cereal containers to keep them organized in our pantry. I also have our oatmeal in a glass container on the counter, so we can quickly reach for it every morning.

The best way to corral the stuff in a junk drawer is with a few divided trays. Take everything out of your junk drawer and then decide on which items to keep. You will probably realize a lot of items should “live” somewhere else.

I just ordered these Onion and Potato Sacks to use in our small pantry. I did not really have a good storage idea for these veggies, so I am excited to give these bags a try! These metal baskets would be great for potatoes and onions too!

I also have a set of these for our pantry. We use them to store dried goods like pasta, rice and beans.

These clear containers are great for both refrigerator storage (we use them!) and also in the pantry.

Kitchen Organization Favorites

All the Details

Are you ready to join the 2021 Clear the Clutter Challenge? There are a few steps to getting started.

1. Sign up for the Clear the Clutter Challenge e-mail group.
2. Follow @coffeepancakesdreams and @kerilynnsynder on Instagram for daily tips, behind the scenes and all the motivation to tackle your clutter projects!
3. Purchase the Ultimate Decluttering Guide for a complete program. You will get room-by-room checklists, simple to follow organization advice and more! This is the best way to complete your decluttering projects this year!

Are you joining this year’s declutter challenge? Leave a comment and let me know if you plan to start decluttering your kitchen this week!