Monday 14 January 2013

Kitchen Overhaul

Our new years resolution for this year is to be financially better by the end of 2013. So in order to achieve this I have decided to go through our home with a fine tooth comb so to speak and organise every single room. Big task whilst looking after a 5month old and a 2 1/2 year old. Hence to make it more achievable I plan to break it down into weekly assignments. Last weeks aim was the kitchen.

So here is what I achieved in our kitchen in week 1:

- I started by organising our pantry. What better way to save money than to know what food we already have. I now love that we can open the pantry and see exactly what we have.
1st shelf: Containers holding (1) chips/biscuits (2) snacks/lollies (3) confectionery for baking
2nd shelf: Baking goods (I bake a lot so have everything imaginable for baking scrumptious treats)
3rd shelf: Packet goods,Sauces, oils, tins salt and pepper.
4th shelf: Cereals, bread, spreads, tea, coffee etc...
5th shelf: Potatoes, Pasta and Rice
6th Shelf: Stock shelf - Spare drinks, sauce etc.. (Also have cling wrap & foil until I buy something that can hang up on our pantry door)


 
- I then convinced hubby for us to purchase a new fridge. (I had been wearing him down with my constant complaining for quite some time now and finally won my battle he he) And so as soon as our new (second hand) fridge arrived this was the next task I completed in the kitchen. I sprayed it all clean with vanilla spray and quickly got to filling it all up. I now store all Tupperware containers in there relevant spots (eg: freezer containers empty in the freezer). I find it easier this way as I can now place items straight into pre chilled containers and place the container straight back where it came from. Hence no more finding the container in the cupboard to then find room in the fridge/freezer for an item to go in. Much easier and more time efficient.



 

- I then got started on the cupboards. I unpacked our wine glasses and reorganised our glasses/mugs cupboard with the help of some wire racks I already had.


- Our trays/chopping boards cupboard just needed a bit of a tidy up

- I did a complete overhaul when it came to our pots/pans and small electrical goods cupboard. Out went any electricals that we no longer used, any relay old pots got thrown to. Now there is so much less cluttered and we can see exactly what we have. Every item is easily accessible - no having to dig to the back to get an item out anymore... yay!


- I emptied every kitchen draw, gave it a lovely clean with vanilla spray and then reorganised each.
Our bottom draw is where we keep our tea towels and dish cloths.

3rd draw houses our zip lock bags, sml plastic bags and cooking utensils.
2nd draw consists of all our small item kitchen utensils
1st draw eating utensils


- I didn't need to relay organise out bowls/plates however I still gave everything a good wipe over and added a new stack of bowls for our little miss now that she is eating.


- Our Tupperware cupboard was reduced by 1/2 due to the new fridge/freezer hence I decided to combine Tupperware with drink bottles/therms flasks.

 

 - I really enjoyed reorganising our spice cupboard and decided that colouring, essence and baking accessories would be good on the top shelf.


 - And lastly I organised our entertainment cupboard that stores all the salad bowls, dishes and platters.



So there you have it, my organised kitchen! And to celebrate all my hard work I finally opened my Christmas present..

 
 a Kenwood patisserie mixer!... now where do I put it??



Hope you enjoyed seeing what I have achieved. I absolutely LOVE having a completely organised kitchen. Have you organised your Kitchen lately?

YKylie