Your Most Effective Kitchen Zones

The kitchen is often the most tempting place to dump mail, paperwork, coupons and newspapers creating an active zone for clutter to build up.It's important to define:

1) what's working and what's not working,

2) what items are most essential and most of all,

3) what's causing the problems.

To create a natural flow of activities that goes on in your kitchen, arrange your kitchen around strategized zones: food serving zone, cooking preparation zone, food & utility storage zones etc... Other possible zones could include an arts & crafts zone for small children who enjoy staying near the kitchen to do activities.

With this utility cart, I sorted through items, grouped them into categories and purged non-utility items. The cart can now be easily rolled out of the way when not in use. In the second set of pictures, the homeowner wanted to "see and use" his bar again. I freed up space in the cabinets below, tossing out "non-bar zone" items and designating those cabinets for stemwares, entertainment pieces & special events supplies.

As you're considering where to house your items, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Use deep drawers for bulky appliances, large pots & pans or chafing dishes.


• Use shallow drawers for flatware, wraps and bags and dish towels.


• Keep cooking condiments closer to the stove for handy access and food preparation.


• Use a cleaning caddy under the sink for organizing cleaning supplies.


• Group items according to assocations: coffee, tea, sugar near the coffeemaker or teapot.


• Keep plates, bowls in separate stacks on cabinet shelves.


• Arrange glassware and fragile items in cabinets where they breakage will be minimal.


• Use decorative glass jars or baskets on the countertops for snack items or fruits.

Once you've created your kitchen zones, managing it becomes easier. I learned this from my dad who can work his kitchen with his eyes closed! As a professional cook, he always stressed a "ship-shaped" kitchen. Everything in it's place so you can do your best cooking and entertainment. To my dad, I say "Thanks!" And to you, I say, "Salud! Here's to good eats in your kitchen."