When I reviewed Confessions of an Organized Homemaker, I mentioned that I planned to reorganize my kitchen to make it more efficient and useful. I decided to start with my baking center.
As its name suggests, the baking center is where the preparation to bake takes place in one's kitchen. I picked this area of my kitchen where the daily newspaper and mail used to accumulate. Not any longer! I have reclaimed this area of my kitchen for my baking center. I even moved my mixer over here from its storage place, not that I use it very often, but it seems to help define the space. I love how neat and tidy it looks now that there aren't papers strewn all over it.
Underneath the counter, I used to keep our generic Tupperware, mixing bowls, and other paraphenalia. I got rid of some Corningware and put our Tupperware with the remainder. Then I moved the flour, sugar, etc. from the pantry where it was fairly inconvenient to this cleared out space. I used to have to tote everything from the pantry to the counter and then tote it back when I finished. Not any more! I even have room behind the containers of flour and sugar to store the extra. On the top shelf far left, I keep my measuring utensils. I just have to pull out that box to get what I need. On the bottom shelf, I keep the one mixing bowl I use the most with the bigger and smaller one stored behind it. I also moved the spices that I use the most when I bake (e.g. cinnamon, nutmeg) to this area along with the baking powder and baking soda. All of that is stored in the box on the lower shelf. The lower right area is kind of a catch-all for now with the colander, cake plate, and extra brown sugar.
Granted, I have not been baking much lately because I haven't been feeling well, but I have enjoyed my new baking center the little bit that I have used it. And I look forward to seeing how well it continues work in the future.
What about you? Is your kitchen efficient and useful? Or have I inspired you? Don't worry; I'm not done yet. I haven't even touched our pantry which all of a sudden has so much more room in it without all of that flour, sugar, etc. in it. I plan for that to be my next kitchen project.
6 comments:
Looks good Nikki. We have some of the same storage containers; although I don't have any of those lovely Betty Crocker bowls:) It really is nice to have your supplies easy to reach from your mixing area. I need to reorganize my kitchen storage a bit, but I just haven't gotten to it yet.
Myidsmom, great minds think alike, don't they?! I had to save my money for almost six months to get those bowls, but I LOVE them!
Well I suppose you have seen my baking center. If not you can go click on the label organization on my side bar. I think its under there. Unlike you my bake center gets used constantly!! Its a continual challenge to keep everything cleaned and rotated. I have huge storage drawers and a drawer right under my Kitchen Aid that holds the canisters. I just pull open the drawer and all of my sugars, flours, chocolate chips baking candies, everything is right there without even bending over.
Reclaiming and repurposing space is fun to do. Enjoyed your tour of your corner.
What do you mean you're not a librarian? Look at these wonderful organizational skills. I love it! I will have to look at that book.
My sister and I love "flylady" -- have you ever heard of her? At first I laughed when my sister told me about her, but now I actually use some of her strategies. She's good for busy moms and working ladies too. Her website looks a little crazy, but honestly, her daily tips have been helpful to me and my sister.
http://www.flylady.net/
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Jen, I have heard of the Flylady, but her strategy just didn't work for me. I used the system at motivatedmom.com for a couple of years and loved it.
Nikki - I love the idea of a baking centre! I too have to get all the flour, sugar etc out of the pantry cupboard and walk it to the other end of the kitchen, to the bench I use for cooking.
You have definitely inspired me. And I am off to look at motivatedmom.com too. I did Flylady for a while, and I do still use some of her strategies, but not the whole routine.
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