Clutter Free Kitchen Corner

  
Maureen's kitchen clutter made my want to hop on a plane and deal with it right then and there because there's so much potential there for a simple fix. Here's what she wrote when asking for help:

For years I have struggled with ways of keeping two areas in our kitchen tidy. These areas are the corner by the entry door and our closet.

 

A few years ago I purchased a small metal rack for the corner in hopes of stacking somethings in to it. This worked for awhile, but our collection of mess grew bigger and bigger! :( We keep everything from grilling coal, plant dirt, gecko & frog dirt, soda bottles, mops and more over there. Above the mess hangs frying pans and behind the mess is our kitchen heater, we also keep our rest garbage in this area because we lack space in our kitchen closet. 

 

In our closet we keep everything from vases, gardening supplies, cleaning products, paint, plastic, paper, food garbage to plastic bags. There were shelves already installed here when we moved in so I have always used these, but I feel they could maybe be more functional with the right ideas. 

 

I am usually very creative at organizing but here I just totally fail. I would love to hear if you have any ideas for these spaces and I thank you in advance.

Here's what I'd do:

There's so much potential in that closet so I suggest clearing that out first and sorting like items with like and tossing whatever is no longer in use. Giving the inside a fresh coat of white paint and adding new shelf coverings such as oil cloth or adhesive vinyl will freshen up and make it more likeable.

Here are the items that need storing and my suggestion of where they go.

Mops and brooms - I would remove the pot lid holder from the closet door and instead attach a mop and broom holder (1) on there so the brooms (7) are hidden from plain vew everytime you enter.

Recycling - At the bottom of the closet I'd set up a recycling station for paper (11) and bottles in their crate. Hoping the mop bucket (12) will fit down there too. Other recycling can go in tubs (8) on one of the shelves above.

Pot lids - My suggestion is to get a standing rack (5) for them on one of the shelves instead.

Plant dirt, gecko & frog dirt, grilling coal - Get a couple of nice looking containers with lids on (4) that can be out in the open by the entrance and place the bags in there.

Gardening supplies, cleaning products, paint - Go in tubs and storage containers/boxes ( 6+8+9). Like things together. The ones with handles make it easy to take a kit of something with you to another part of the house. Use a label maker (3) to mark each container at the front so everyone knows what goes where.

Plastic bags - If there's room on the inside of the door I'd attach a plastic holder (2) there but they could also go in a tub (8) on a shelf.

Frying pans, vases and jars - Go on one of the shelves again grouped by type.

I'd also consider adding a simple wine rack (10) in there somewhere so those bottles are out of the way too.

I think this is basically just a matter of using the space to it's full potential and making things more easily accessible. Let us know how it turns out, Maureen!

Sources
1) Broom and brush holder  - My Amazon Store
2) Plastic bag holder - IKEA
3) Label maker - My Amazon Store
4) Bin with lid - IKEA
5) Pot lid holder - IKEA
6) Container with handles - IKEA
7) Mop and broom - IKEA
8) Clear plastic tub - IKEA
9) Wooden box - IKEA
10) Wine rack - IKEA
11) Newspaper bin - My Amazon Store
12) Bucket - IKEA

Comments

[Messy@Bungalow'56]

This is very helpful Benita, thank you. I look forward to an after picture. I have a similar space that seems to always get away on me. An aside, Since you seem to have been feeling frustrated by your late spring, my post today should make you feel better about your situation.
Take care,
Dana

[m.winter]

Oooooo, excellent ideas! I will get to work on the areas as soon as I return from vacation in New York. :)

Will send after pics when I am done.

Thank you Benita! :))

[quinn]

Maureen, about 80% of my little house looks like your trouble zone!

Great ideas as always, Benita. And I love the wooden box! Someday I really must go to IKEA. The nearest one is 2 hours away, so it's a whole-day trip.

[Isabela]

I love these kinds of posts! I get so many ideas out of them! Thank you, Benita!

[Sofia]

This is just so good. So much inspiration and energy. I like! More of international inspiriation I usually find on http://www.hoom.se but this will be another favorite.

Take care!

S

[Sandra]

Great post! And finally I found the white bucket and mop in the Ikea website - it's a 2 hours drive from where I live but will certainly be in my wishlist... I've been flirting with a label maker - I think it's expensive for our budget - but I'm starting to think it's a great help.

[Lanny Stanard]

I was goona say... that's not your corner :) good luck!

[Lanny Stanard]

I meet to say gonna... LOL

[gerie]

These are my favorite posts because I learn so much.But i'm still confused with my own situation.There are no closets in my house except the bedroom closets.Is there a way to store mops and brooms and paper and soda cans out in the open?

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

You could use a lot of these things out in the open too but you just need to be a bit more diciplined :).I always make sure everything visible is nice to look at. Not necessarily pretty but nice and white. Instead of a red and blue mop and broom get two in white and the attention is taken away from them. Get a nice looking trash can instead of just a trash can. I like these for recycling. They stack which is great. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90076364

[Sandra]

That's exactly my situation - no pantry, no laundry room...

[Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists]

Love your plan, Benita. Keeping my fingers crossed that we'll see the "after"!

[Fröken Prickig]

Ska bli kul att se "efterbilder"! Fler människor borde uppskatta ORDNING, ibland verkar det som man ska skämmas lite när man är ordningssam... Tycker städredskap i skrika färger är... usch... köpte en vit electrolux-dammsugare för ett tag sedan och den är jättefin:)

[madie @ southphillyrenovation]

Thank you for this great advice! I am planning on using the entryway down to our basement as a storage area for mops, brooms, etc. I love the broom and brush holder. I am definitely inspired!

[Emily]

Was there ever a follow up on this? Would be interesting to see how she put some of your ideas to work!

[Benita ~ Chez Larsson]

No follow up yet :)