My Mom Is an Organizing Genius, and I Found 19 Items to Make Your Kitchen as Clean as Hers

The author shares insights into her mother's highly organized kitchen, highlighting eight essential tools that contribute to its pristine condition. The mother, described as an "organizing genius," maintains a tidy kitchen despite daily use, even more so as an empty nester. The article presents a curated list of these space-saving storage solutions, suitable for various kitchen areas, including drawers, countertops, cabinets, and under the sink. First on the list is the YouCopia DrawerFit Expandable Kitchen Drawer Organizer, a versatile tool praised for its ability to declutter drawers. This organizer expands from 15 to 24 inches and features two adjustable dividers, allowing for the creation of seven custom-sized compartments. It is ideal for storing small items like measuring cups and chip clips. The Lodge 5-Tier Cookware Organizer is presented as an effective solution for managing cast iron cookware. This steel rack can be positioned horizontally or vertically, offering flexible storage options for countertops or cabinets. A customer review highlights its practicality in organizing a cluttered cookware collection. For dishwashing, the KitchenAid Compact Dish Rack is recommended. This rack is designed to be space-efficient while providing comprehensive features such as a removable flatware caddy, hooks for cups and stemware, and designated racks for plates and cookware. The OXO Good Grips Sinkware Caddy addresses the need for organized sink-side essentials. Its removable divider creates three sections for sponges and dish brushes, and a built-in drip tray with a drainage spout ensures hygiene and prevents water accumulation. Under-sink organization is tackled with the Delamu Under-Sink Organizers, a set of two two-tiered slide-out storage shelves. These are utilized for cleaning sprays, kitchen towels, dishwasher pods, and sponges. For pantry organization, the Skteet Clear Plastic Storage Bins are featured. This set includes four large and four small transparent bins, enabling easy visibility of contents and contributing to a well-managed pantry. The article notes its popularity, with over 6,000 units sold recently, especially given a 20% discount. The Sunficon Cutting Board Organizer is introduced as a solution for storing cutting boards, cooling racks, and lids, with the added functionality of a spoon rest. A user testifies to its effectiveness in transforming a cluttered cabinet into an orderly space. Finally, the W&P; Silicone Freezer Tray is highlighted for meal preparation and portion control. This 4-cup silicone tray has four 8-ounce compartments, suitable for freezing soups, sauces, and batters, ensuring perfectly portioned leftovers. #KitchenOrganization #HomeStorage #KitchenTools #SpaceSavingSolutions #AmazonDeals #CookwareStorage #PantryOrganization #DishDrying #MealPrep

The article details four organizing hacks for bedroom closets, inspired by the author's mother, who maintains an exceptionally tidy and functional closet. These tips are especially relevant for seasonal transitions, such as preparing for summer. The first key recommendation is to begin with a clean slate. This involves removing every item from the closet to gain a comprehensive view of all possessions. This method facilitates a thorough sorting process, enabling individuals to decide what to keep and what to donate. After emptying the closet, it is advised to clean the space thoroughly by vacuuming hidden crevices and wiping down all surfaces with disinfecting wipes. This step not only physically cleans the area but also mentally prepares one for the organizing task ahead, promoting a fresh start. The second hack emphasizes utilizing existing items for organization rather than immediately purchasing new storage solutions. The author's mother exemplifies this by repurposing storage bins without lids to house bulky sweaters and sweatshirts on upper shelves and using old wicker baskets for scarves, blankets, and other linens. This approach encourages resourcefulness and minimizes the need for additional purchases, potentially reducing clutter rather than adding to it. This strategy helps to avoid the common pitfall of acquiring more organizing tools than necessary, which can paradoxically contribute to disorganization. The third piece of advice focuses on investing in quality hangers. The article highlights that flimsy hangers often lead to clothes slipping off, resulting in messy piles on the floor and a constant need to re-organize. High-quality hangers, particularly velvet ones, are recommended to securely hold various garments, from silk blouses to heavy jackets. An additional tip involves buttoning the first button of tops to further secure them on hangers. This seemingly small detail can significantly improve the longevity of an organized closet, preventing clothes from ending up on the floor and creating frustration. Finally, the importance of organizing accessories is stressed. Although often overlooked due to their smaller size, accessories like hats, scarves, and belts can quickly contribute to clutter if not properly stored. The recommendation is to use baskets or specific accessory hangers to ensure these items are visible and easily accessible. Effective accessory organization prevents them from getting lost or creating visual chaos within the closet. By implementing these four strategies—starting with a clean slate, repurposing existing storage, using quality hangers, and meticulously organizing accessories—individuals can achieve a highly organized and functional bedroom closet, mirroring the efficiency and neatness observed in the author's mother's closet. #ClosetOrganization #HomeOrganization #Decluttering #StorageSolutions #BedroomDesign #HomeHacks #SeasonalOrganization #AccessoryStorage

Maintaining an organized home often involves adopting a balanced approach rather than strict adherence to order. Small, consistent changes can lead to lasting organization. This principle is reinforced by professional organizers who utilize specific items to ensure their homes remain both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Four professional organizers—Meghan Cocchiaro, Tracy McCubbin, Melanie Summers, and Lucy Milligan Wahl—shared their top 17 everyday organization solutions. These solutions focus on efficiency, accessibility, and clutter prevention, making them applicable to various areas of a home. Label makers, like the Brother P-touch Cube Plus Bluetooth Label Maker, are essential for identifying contents within storage containers, ensuring that items are easily located. Meghan Cocchiaro emphasizes its utility for both personal use and client projects, highlighting its ease of design via a smartphone app and its versatility for different bin sizes. Rotating organizers, such as the YouCopia Crazy Susan Divided Lazy Susan Organizer and the iDesign Recycled Plastic Lazy Susan Turntable Organizer, are praised for optimizing space in cabinets, craft areas, and laundry rooms. These items prevent items from getting lost in deep corners and improve access, whether for spices, art supplies, or laundry detergents. Lucy Milligan Wahl particularly notes the benefit of undivided turntables for laundry rooms, accommodating various bottle sizes. Drawer organization is tackled with products like the Fabsome Set of 6 Bamboo Drawer Organizers. Melanie Summers explains their effectiveness in dividing drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and dressers, making them ideal for silverware, gadgets, and even vertically folded clothes. For laundry management, the Best Choice Products Double Laundry Hamper with Lid offers a practical solution. Lucy Milligan Wahl highlights its design, which allows for pre-sorting of clothes into two compartments and features removable bins for easy transport to the washing machine, all while maintaining a neat appearance in the bedroom. Clutter prevention is addressed with items like the Jonathan Adler Basketweave Square Tray, recommended by Tracy McCubbin. Placing it near the entrance provides a designated spot for keys, wallets, and sunglasses, preventing these common items from scattering. Rolling carts, such as the Amazon Basics 3-Tier Rolling Cart, offer mobile storage. Meghan Cocchiaro uses one to quickly clear art supplies and technology from her kitchen island, illustrating its adaptability for kids’ rooms, playrooms, home offices, and hobby areas. Clear plastic bins, like the Yihong Set of 6 Multi-Purpose Clear Plastic Bins, are championed by Melanie Summers for maximizing hidden storage under vanities and sinks. Their stackable nature and clear sides facilitate visibility and organization of cleaning supplies or first-aid kits. Kitchen efficiency is improved with items such as the Kobikobi 13-Inch Ceramic Cake Stand, which Tracy McCubbin uses to keep oils, vinegars, salt, and pepper within reach on the counter. Similarly, the Le Tauci Set of 2 Utensil Crocks keep frequently used cooking utensils accessible, especially in kitchens with limited drawer space. The YouCopia StoreMore Expandable Pan and Lid Organizer optimizes cabinet space by storing cutting boards and baking sheets vertically, making them easier to retrieve and utilize vertical space efficiently. To maximize storage in smaller spaces, the Simple Houseware 6-Pocket Over-the-Door Organizer is suggested by Melanie Summers for toiletries, accessories, or cleaning supplies, offering vertical storage with clear pockets for quick identification. General storage needs are met with Losyhu Set of 4 Wire Storage Baskets, which Lucy Milligan Wahl uses in her pantry for containing items, allowing for easy pull-out access and visibility. The Full Circle Ceramic Kitchen Sink Caddy helps contain sink-side clutter, keeping sponges and brushes tidy and allowing them to dry quickly. For garage or basement storage, the Mighty Tuff Pack of 3 Heavy-Duty Stacking Bins provide robust, stackable solutions for gardening tools, sports equipment, or muddy boots, designed for durability and easy cleaning. Finally, S-hooks, specifically the Dhylricher Set of 12 Closet Rod S-Hooks, are recommended by Meghan Cocchiaro for hanging various items like tote bags, belts, and hats on closet rods, utilizing vertical space effectively. For a polished look, the In Apple Pie Order Set of 8 Metal Clip-On Labels allow for stylish and easily updatable labeling on various bins and shelves, helping to define zones in pantries and linen closets. #HomeOrganization #DeclutteringTips #StorageSolutions #ProfessionalOrganizers #AmazonFinds #KitchenOrganization #BedroomOrganization #BathroomOrganization #SpaceSaving

The article presents 39 kitchen organization and design tips from Martha Stewart, aiming to help individuals create a functional and stylish kitchen regardless of its size. A core principle emphasized is the efficient use of every available inch of space and ensuring items are easily accessible. One key recommendation is the use of shelving instead of traditional upper cabinets to create a lighter, airier feel in the kitchen, while also keeping frequently used items within reach. Martha Stewart herself uses this approach, noting that it allows regular access to all her kitchen items. The tips cover a wide range of kitchen areas and organizational strategies. For cabinets and storage, suggestions include grouping similar items for easy retrieval, such as keeping wooden utensils in crocks and pans on overhead racks. Martha also advocates for curating and displaying prized items, like antique copper dishes, which can serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Specific design elements like 'bird's beak' shelving supports are highlighted for their streamlined appearance. Practical advice extends to creating dedicated zones, such as a coffee and tea station where all related items are stored together, including an espresso machine, cups, and various teas. The article details how she organizes her drawers for specific purposes, such as flatware with rectangular compartment organizers, office supplies, hardware basics like lightbulbs and batteries, and baking essentials like pastry bags and cookie cutters in clear plastic boxes. Silver flatware is recommended to be stored in shallow, tarnish-controlling flannel-lined drawers without dividers. Kitchen islands are presented as versatile components, with Martha favoring a combination of a stationary and a rolling marble-topped island for different functions like prep work, informal dining, and buffets. She advises designing islands to be at least 4 feet long and 2.5 feet wide, with sufficient working space around them. Island storage can be optimized with features like upright steel slats for baking sheets, drawers for aprons and utensils, and cubbies for towels. Other general organizational tools include using attractive baskets and bins on open shelves to corral items and adding adhesive pads for smooth sliding. Countertops should remain tidy, with frequently used items like fruits and vegetables displayed, but always ensuring ample workspace. A large cutting board kept handy on the counter is also suggested for convenience. Additional tips include using glass kitchen cabinets for a furniture-like feel and to allow light to penetrate, storing knives in drawer-fitting wooden blocks, and keeping a kitchen first-aid kit readily available. For dish towels, the recommendation is to store them in a nearby drawer, neatly folded. Miscellaneous tools like measuring cups and can openers can be kept together in a drawer with wire basket dividers. A rolling cart is suggested for additional, portable storage, especially useful in small kitchens or as a bar when entertaining. For pantries, a tall cabinet can substitute for a walk-in, with non-perishables grouped and shelves labeled and protected with stainless steel sheeting. Sink basins with plastic bins are advised for water-saving soaking, and high gooseneck faucets make filling large pots easier. Strategically placed electrical outlets around the island, thin additional shelves in unused wall spaces, and a counter wall for pastry stations are also mentioned. Finally, the article touches on pet-related organization, suggesting baskets for pet sweaters and coats, airtight plastic containers for dry pet food with clear labels, and a tray for pet food bowls to catch spills. The importance of safety is highlighted with the recommendation to keep fire extinguishers readily accessible and regularly tested. #KitchenOrganization #HomeDesign #StorageSolutions #KitchenTips #MarthaStewart #FunctionalKitchen #SpaceUtilization #DrawerOrganization #PantryOrganization

The author embarked on a deep cleaning and decluttering mission in their sister's kitchen as a thank you for accommodating them and their cat. The process revealed a surprising array of items that were either out of place, no longer functional, or simply unnecessary. To avoid immediately discarding potentially sentimental or useful items, the author collected everything in a designated 'decluttering bag,' promising to return anything specifically requested. As of a month later, nothing has been missed. Among the first items removed was a 'Happy Birthday' banner, specifically a Pokémon-themed one. While indicative of past celebrations, its current utility in the kitchen was non-existent, making it an easy item to place in the decluttering bag. A significant portion of the decluttering focused on rusty silverware. The author observed various pieces of cutlery in the drawer, actively identifying and removing rusted forks, knives, and even a Mason jar lid. These items were deemed unsuitable for food contact and promptly bagged. Instruction pamphlets for kitchen gadgets were another category of items that saw substantial reduction. The author acknowledged the common tendency to keep such pamphlets but pointed out their redundancy, especially when instructions are readily available online. Six pamphlets, along with a coffee maker descaling packet, were added to the bag. Miscellaneous hardware, including two unmarked sandwich bags containing screws and rubber parts, was also removed. The author noted the absence of clear identification for these parts and, finding them alongside instructions for a knife holder that might have been related, consolidated them into the decluttering bag. Two AA batteries found in a brown bag presented a mystery regarding their purpose, condition, and presence in the kitchen, leading to their immediate inclusion in the decluttering bag. Similarly, an unused toothbrush found in a drawer was added, with the speculation that it might have been intended for the cats. Water filters, initially removed from a leaky showerhead, were surprisingly stored in the kitchen. These were the only items the author planned to retrieve from the bag, intending to reinstall them with plumber's tape. A cheesecloth, mistaken for old-timey gauze at first, was also removed due to its incongruous storage with Tupperware. Beyond these specific categories, the author discovered a variety of other inexplicable items. These included two wet stone angle guides, seven cake testers, a plastic hook, a plastic carabiner for measuring cups, a rubber nozzle, a tote bag (distinct from the sister's collection of reusable grocery bags), pet conditioner, and two unidentified plastic items, one featuring spiky metal parts. These assorted items highlighted the extent of the kitchen's disorganization and the accumulation of unrelated objects, many of which were likely left behind by a previous roommate who was a professional chef. #KitchenOrganization #HomeDecluttering #DeepCleaning #KitchenCleaning #HomeImprovement #OrganizingTips