KITCHEN SUPPLIES

By the time I got to going through my kitchen stuff, I had read Marie Kondo’s book: “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”

But I had already been organizing things in groups anyways! Which was awesome!

Electrical Equipment – blender, food processor, hand mixer, etc. I kept these together in a bottom cabinet.

Casserole Dishes – were all together and I have 2 sets. I wish I didn’t. One set is the forever useful Pyrex Glass. The other was gifted by my parents and were colorful and nice. They do take up a lot of space, but I manage, keeping the ones I use the most right at the cabinet door.

Pots/Pans/Sheets – Pots I put under the oven, but pans and sheets were a pain until I bought a pots and pans organizer rack! It’s not perfect, but it makes it easier to get to stuff!

Storage Containers – I recently got PBA-free plastic storage containers. Once I moved into this trailer, I kept breaking the glass containers I had! Glass is scary to break when kids are running around! So plastic would be easier for me right now till I can find something better later. We also have silicone baggies for sandwiches and chips. They work well and I have had them a few years now! I would also keep water bottles as well as plastic wrap and aluminum foil in with these containers because they all store stuff!

Plates/Bowls – I use a rack since my plates came in 3 sizes. It’s so nice to not have to lift a set of plates off another set. I keep bowls and plates together if I can. Adding in kids plates and bowls made it feel messy, I can’t wait till I don’t need them anymore!

Cups/Mugs – Simple as that. I try and keep a few favorites as well as set mugs. Children cups are needed right now, so I don’t plan on buying glass cups anytime soon.

Silverware/Cutlery/Spoons/Spatulas – I have many old and hand-me-down utensils right now. But am gravitating towards what Korean women use in their Youtube channels. Wooden spoons? So neat! I plan to wait till later when we save money to get a nice set of all utensils that will last a while. Recently, any black plastic I had, I threw away. I guess research shows that there is something in it that leaks out onto food and it is harmful! So it wasn’t worth even donating.

Other Utensils/Tools/Baking Tools/Cloth – I don’t have many drawers in the trailer. So I packed in a box and put up high, the tools I don’t use often, like baking. In a drawer, I put tools in a box, surrounded by spices haha. Under that drawer is the bottom one. I put in that all the cloths, towels, and oven mitts, so in case my kids decide to raid it, it won’t hurt them.

Disposable Eating Supplies – Like paper plates, napkins, utensils, cups… These I collected (not voluntarily purchased) over the years, trying not to throw them away but to save and use them up when I can. I throw these in the cupboard above the fridge for now, since I am not using them. Later, I would like to transfer medicines up there, like my mother did. That is very high for any kid to reach!

Medicines/Vitamins/Matches/Candles/Vases – I have put them in boxes and high up in the top cabinets.

Pantry – Everyone has their own way of doing it. My sister has a huge hutch my dad made for her. She painted it a very pretty soft green color. Very vintage and rustic, as is her theme. She loves cooking and wants everything to look pretty with glass jars and labelled. Me? I would love to do that, but that’s too much work haha! My mother and I are alike: keep them in the boxes till we are done with them! I would rather “hide” things and display favorite things I use daily. And because I have limited cabinets, my pantry is spread out a little. I try to keep similar items with each other. Canned goods, carbs, baking, spices, oils, chips/snacks, tea/coffee, etc.

Organizing The Kitchen – That was a hassle and a half! When I moved into the trailer, the layout was not correct! It was difficult to figure out where to put things to make it all efficient! My dad said that kitchens work better when there is a triangle between the fridge, sink, and oven. Mine was in a straight line! So I put things I would use daily on that line. I put the things I don’t use much in the other kitchen cabinets.

Extra Things – Like fancy plate sets and wine glasses, I put in the window cabinets that just so happened to be in this trailer. Cast irons (we have a lot of for whatever reason), I put in the farthest corner cabinet because we don’t need them right now.

There! That’s my kitchen! It’s nice to group things together to control them. Especially in a small space. I don’t know HOW I did it in a one bedroom apartment before! Not much decluttering here, but I did declutter extra gadgets already that I didn’t care to use. Especially in the apartment.