Our very own savvy queen of organisation, Miss K is back on the blog today continuing with the keep those benchtops clean with some very simple but handy tips on keeping the clutter in check. Over to you, Miss K.

Savvy Spaces Returns – More on simple declutering.

Today, I will share some of the ways I try to keep my kitchen bench top area only 15 mins away from being tidy.  The key message to focus on is that clearing a space, clears the mind.   No one wants to become a slave to housework or spend their days cleaning.  With the right systems and storage solutions in place, finding that clear space should only take you minutes.

Your kitchen will have items that live on the bench top.  However, we want to avoid getting into the trap of STORING items that don’t belong here.  STORING more often occurs when items don’t have a designated ‘home’. 

My kitchen does become a temporary holding zone for many items entering into our home.  This is made worse by the fact that we enter via the kitchen door.  It is therefore imperative that there are some storage solutions in place to help with a quick tidy up.

My Personalised Storage Solutions:

KEYS – Do you find keys get placed onto the benches?  Do you ever get frustrated trying to look for your keys?  I have our keys hanging on a mug holder.  You could consider a key tree or other solution so that they are always placed into the SAME spot when you walk in the door.  No more searching for lost keys!!  Due to security issues, I am not advocating having your keys in a prominent place in the kitchen.  However, these ideas could still be used in your “Hiding Spot”.  The main point is PLACE YOUR KEYS IN THE SAME SPOT ALWAYS, wherever that may be.

PAPERS – I have a communication station in my kitchen area.  I have a calendar pinned open on the current month, as well as a weekly planner and I also pin important school notes, birthday invites, extracurricular activities notices and any other important upcoming info to the pinup board.  Even if you don’t have a large space, you can set up a pin up board on the back of a cupboard door or in the pantry.  Cork boards are commonly available from many stores or you can also use cork tiles to create the same effect.

INCOMING MAIL  - Do you tend to bring and drop your mail in the kitchen area?  We are very guilty of this in our home.  To ensure a quick tidy up, I have this box system that looks like a book.  This cost me $10 in a variety store and it’s a great way to stash away clutter creating mail.  A cute little basket would work equally well.  The key though is to ensure you set a regular time to move your mail for processing or filing.

I love how I can throw all the mail and paperwork into this book in 1 minute, creating an instant tidy look.  Great for when unexpected guests arrive.

BITS AND BOBS – Whilst most bits and bobs (B&B’s) such as childrens toys, crayons, pencils, you name it, should be relocated to their proper homes, it really isn’t practical to be going back and forth all day long and let’s be honest, who has the energy or motivation to be constantly picking up and packing away?   So create a storage solution where you specifically stash these.  YES it may become the Bermuda Triangle with items never really resurfacing again but it is a much simpler solution that gives your space the clarity it deserves.   As you become more organised, you will find that you will dedicate a time to empty your B&B Stash at periodic times.

 Focus on getting your kitchen working FOR you and not AGAINST you!!  We look forward to hearing some of your very own tips, ideas or questions and would LOVE to see some photos if you are willing to share.  Until next time, have a fabulous week.

What is your biggest challenge with keeping benchtops clean and clutter free?

+1

0

  You have already voted.

Thank you for the warm welcome.  It is great to be given the opportunity to chat to you all and I hope that together, we can encourage, inspire and motivate each other.

So did you do your homework?  Did you have a think about what it is that is creating the MESS in your kitchen and more specifically on your kitchen bench top?

What are your clutter culprits?  For me, the main ones were keys, incoming mail, paperwork and fiddly bits and bobs.  It is not uncommon for my kitchen bench top to be loaded with costume jewellery, crayons, lego, the odd barbie shoe and other bits of rubbi..….oops I mean treasures  .

Having two girls, a lesson well learnt is that ‘treasures’ are part and parcel of childhood.  What is deemed ‘treasure’, may vary with stages, but it will remain throughout childhood.  It is very apparent  what ‘treasures’ mean to our little ones when we are caught accidentally vacuuming them up  in a clear barrelled vacuum cleaner.  Been there? 

Of course there are also the transient drop off items such as school bags, shopping, shoes and whatever hubby decided to buy off Ebay on any particular day.  These larger items just need to be put into their rightful “homes”.  15 mins should be all that you need to clear your floor space.

In terms of the kitchen bench top focus, the next specific steps are:

1.  Write a list of the top 3 categories of clutter culprits that frequently get placed onto your bench.
2. Start to consider what type of storage solutions would fit with your space and budget.
3. Don’t rush out on a buying spree.  A rushed purchase may, in the long term just  contribute to a clutter problem.  Knowing you have a need for a storage solution, allows you to be on the lookout and when you least expect it, something will jump out at you, perfect for your NEEDS and YOUR space.
4. Think about where you will position these storage solutions to get maximum benefit.

 My Top 5 Storage Solutions:

1.BASKETS -   I absolutely LOVE baskets and have them in use all over my home.  They can be used for so many things and can add a stylish addition to an area, whilst having a very practical use.  They come in all sorts of materials, colours, shapes, sizes and designs.

2.JARS – As my girls have gotten older, I am really starting to use jars more and more.  There are SO many types available now and are very affordable.  Many discount stores offer cute, stylish jars from as little as $2.

3.TINS – I had never really considered tins until I used one I had in the cupboard to store my dishwashing  tablets in and got lots of positive comments about it.   I see them quite often in my travels now.  IKEA do a great range as well as KMART and many discount stores.  Tins are very affordable.  On a recent trip to IKEA, I noticed they had set of 3 different sized tins for $5.95 a set (see black and white set in pic below).

4. BOXES – Whilst they may not be appropriate for some areas of the kitchen due to water damage, they can still be considered if you are to place them away from damp areas.  I do like to use boxes in the study.  The great thing about boxes is that they come in so many different shapes and colours and patterns, often with savvy designs.

5,THINK OUTSIDE THE SQUARE –  don’t pass by items that are made for a different purpose.  You may find some very savvy storage solutions.  For example, flower pots.    Take a look at how I have used flower pots in my home….

So those are a few simply but highly effective storage ideas. I would love to hear what you think you will be considering for your storage solutions and any ideas/tips you may have ?

Stay tuned for the next post where I show you how I have used some of these storage solutions in my home.

Until next time, have an inspired week,

Miss K

Linking up with the gorgeous Grace from With Some Grace for FYBF.

0

0