There are 12 really bad offenders when it comes to kitchen clutter. There are ways to fix them though. Rubber bands are one of these sources of clutter. Mail is another thing that can cause a lot of clutter in the kitchen. Another culprit is reusable shopping bags. Corks and bottle caps are others.

Key Takeaways:

• Scores of cabinets and miles of counter space, a place for everything and everything in its place — this is the dream kitchen.
• Our kitchens are working spaces that we forgive for being short on cabinets, counter space, and often, both.
• I surveyed my friends and family to find out the worst culprits of kitchen clutter, the things that always seem to pile up or get in the way — plus the best ways to deal with them.

“While twist-ties and plastic bread tags can certainly be reused — and plastic twist ties are great for trellising tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans in backyard gardens — be realistic as to how many to keep.”

http://www.thekitchn.com/the-12-worst-offenders-for-kitchen-clutter-and-how-to-deal-with-them-236105?amp=&utm_campaign=xpost&utm_medium=web&utm_source=at

To increase your cooking efficiency and ability to produce flavorful, fresh-tasting dishes, consider spending an afternoon or evening revamping your spice collection. The next time guests come over to help prepare a meal and dine with you, they’ll notice the difference. If you want to organize and store your spices, start by tossing out stale spices. Then clear out a space in your kitchen, choose a storage method, and sort and label your spices.

Key Takeaways:

• If you cook at home, spending extra minutes hunting for the perfect spice when you need it can slow down your meal prep time.
• Take out all of the spices you have and put them in one spot, such as a counter or kitchen table. Then go through each container, and determine if the spice is one that you use and want to keep
• To ensure a well-rounded collection, especially if you’re just beginning to cook regularly, gather a few staples.

“To increase your cooking efficiency and ability to produce flavorful, fresh-tasting dishes, consider spending an afternoon or evening revamping your spice collection.”

https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/17241-how-to-store-spices-in-your-kitchen-correctly/

What do you do with your citrus peels after you use the fruit inside? Also, are you sure you’re using the fruit inside to its fullest potential? Many people will only use the juice of a lemon or lime, and even sometimes an orange, for some extra flavor in light, summery dishes, and toss the pulp and peel away.

Key Takeaways:

• There are just so many different ways to use every part of all sorts of citrus fruits in your kitchen alone.
• Citrus fruits can be used to add flavor to your food and to create special items like peel candy and liqueur.
• Citrus fruits can also be used as cleaning agents and give off a nice scent as well. They can also be used as decorative items.

“There are just so many different ways to use every part of all sorts of citrus fruits in your kitchen alone, and it may just be time to take advantage of them!”

https://www.littlethings.com/ways-to-use-citrus-in-the-kitchen/

The right appliances have a huge effect on your quality of life. If you’ve ever lived in a home with broken, poorly-designed, or just rundown appliances, and then upgraded, you know what I mean. You go from annoyed every time you grab a beverage from your refrigerator, to really looking forward to opening the door. Since your fridge gets get used many times a day, those interactions really add up.

Key Takeaways:

• The type of refrigerator that you use can make or break the look of your kitchen
• The finish and design of your counter tops are important enough to focus on when it comes to designing a kitchen
• The use of light fixtures and different accessories and spruce up a boring kitchen design.

“The height and width are obvious, but don’t forget the depth. Refrigerators are generally 30 to 35 inches deep (including the doors), but counter-depth and cabinet-depth models, at 23 to 27 inches deep, offer a more built-in look, and are an especially good option for smaller kitchens.”

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/buying-a-new-refrigerator-how-to-get-the-very-best-one-241686

This is a post about a bare minimum house cleaning plan. But first, some comparison. I’ve been working out again. This isn’t a post about working out, but I have. And as I’ve started back up (for the forty-jillionth time), I’ve been thinking about how it relates to keeping my house clean. If you’re one of the many who’ve read every post of this blog, you know I’ve said that before and fizzled before.

Key Takeaways:

• They all do something. Many walk. Some actually ride their exercise bikes instead of hanging clothes on them.
• Do the dishes. If nothing else, do the dishes. Everyday. Like, every single day. And if you miss a day, catch up. On the dishes. If nothing else.
• Sweep the kitchen. I know this one gets some people worked up, so skip it if you want. If your kitchen floor is always perfectly fine because you never lay things down and forget about them being there until the doorbell rings, great.

“Do the dishes. If nothing else, do the dishes. Everyday. Like, every single day. And if you miss a day, catch up. On the dishes. If nothing else.”

http://www.aslobcomesclean.com/2017/03/bare-minimum-house-cleaning-plan/

Melissa found a home in Washington state with perfect views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Then, she began remodeling to make it her own. She is proud to announce that she has finished the remodeling of her kitchen. So, today she is showing off her small, but beautiful, kitchen. You can see how beautiful it is on her website The Inspired Room.

Key Takeaways:

• We grabbed our camera this weekend and starting snapping photos so today we could finally welcome you to our small kitchen remodel
• There were many design decisions that went into this small kitchen, but today I’ll at least be able to give you the overview and an overload of photos.
• While we almost didn’t even look at this one, we were glad we did because it had some strong selling points. Mostly we loved that it was a super solid house with beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains

“The housing market was (and is still) crazy in this area, so it felt like a miracle that we were able to get a house at all.”

http://theinspiredroom.net/2017/02/27/small-kitchen-remodel-reveal-before-after/

Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to kitchen decor. It is not necessary to completely renovate a kitchen to give it a great new look. Instead, start with a few great accent pieces, and some modern pieces like a hanging pot rack. This article offers ideas for sprucing up your kitchen no matter what your budget.

Key Takeaways:

• You do not have to spend tons of money or replace everything in your kitchen in order to give it a total makeover
• Just a few small changes, like a new countertop and new utensils hangers, can have a big impact on your space.
• Lindsay and Matt gave their kitchen a sleek, new, modern look with a few small changes and saved themselves the time and money needed for a complete gut renovation

“The kitchen had been renovated shortly before Lindsay and Matt bought the apartment, so although the look of it wasn’t exactly to their taste, tearing everything out would have been impractical. Instead, they made just a few changes, which had a big impact on the look of the space.”

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-amp-after-small-changes-made-a-big-difference-in-this-little-kitchen-241101

Flu season can be a scary time for anyone. All those germs are getting spread all over by tons of sick people. It can seem near impossible to not get sick. The worst thing is when all these germs make their way to the kitchen. Here’s some tips on keeping those nasty germs out of your kitchen.

Key Takeaways:

• By following a few simple steps in the kitchen, you can minimize your risk of getting sick this flu season.
• Remember to wash your hands even more often than usual and change your dish towels daily.
• Be sure to regularly wipe down kitchen knobs and handles, sanitize your cleaning supplies, and disinfect your countertop.

“When was the last time you disinfected the refrigerator handle or the face of your microwave? Frequent touch points are hotspots for germs that can lead to cold and flu symptoms, but cleaning them thoroughly and often can help keep sickness at bay.”

http://www.thekitchn.com/5-tips-for-keeping-your-kitchen-germ-free-during-flu-season-240500?amp=&utm_campaign=xpost&utm_medium=web&utm_source=at

Kitchens are one of the most important rooms when selling your house, says Zillow Digs home design expert Kerrie Kelly. “They’re a big-ticket item that a lot of buyers find harder to deal with,” explains Ramona Griffin of G&G Interior Design. “If buyers can get a kitchen that’s good before they move in, that’s going to be better for them.”

Key Takeaways:

• Multiple finishes in the kitchen are no longer frowned upon and in fact are very acceptable providing it is not the appliances.
• All space is useable. Be creative and utilize vacancies as in the case of roll out’s utilized in the article for spices. The space the spices were previously in opens up for something else.
• Back splash is back in and with more choices you can be more creative. Back splash benefits include added color and dynamic to your kitchen as well as the practical use.

“Whether you want to make some updates to your kitchen before putting your house on the market, or are seeking design ideas for your next renovation, these five trends may help provide some inspiration.”

https://blog.allstate.com/5-hot-kitchen-design-trends/

Most kitchens are filled with items you will never use again. This can be old glasses that are cracked, or a busted drawer organizer. While most people just stuff them away you should make an effort to clear out your kitchen. This will leave you with more room to do all the things you love.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s time to get rid of the old, cracked, and discolored Tupperware you’ve been hoarding. And if your Tupperware doesn’t have a lid, get rid of that too.
• So your friends and family know you like to cook, and thus every holiday they get you either measuring cups or an apron, right? It’s time to ditch some of the extra measuring cups you have in the kitchen that you don’t use. You know the ones.
• It might seem like a waste to get rid of an old water bottle that’s still perfectly functional, but it’s best to listen to Marie Kondo on this one. If you have a new one (or a couple new ones) and haven’t used one of your water bottles in quite some time, it’s time to ditch the thing.

“It might seem like a waste to get rid of an old water bottle that’s still perfectly functional, but it’s best to listen to Marie Kondo on this one. If you have a new one (or a couple new ones) and haven’t used one of your water bottles in quite some time, it’s time to ditch the thing.”

http://www.thekitchn.com/10-things-to-eliminate-from-your-kitchen-right-now-233500?amp=&utm_campaign=xpost&utm_medium=web&utm_source=at