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De-clutter Your Kitchen for Divine Dining
Kathryn Bechen, Kathryn Bechen Ink
My
kitchen is always organized, but there's always room for an update,
too, as we all tend to accumulate things over time. I donated two large
plastic bins of stuff to charity from my tiny kitchen! Here's what I
did so it will get you motivated to get going on your own kitchen
de-cluttering campaign! Good Luck!
1. Open Sesame. I
opened every single cupboard in my kitchen and if anything had a chip,
it was put in a box to donate to charity. You can also use chipped
pitchers for flowers or to water plants if you don't want to get rid of
them entirely and if the chip is small. Think how to re- purpose things
as you go and then decide if they get donated, or stay for a new
purpose.
2. So Long Set. If a piece
of any set (three floral mugs instead of four, for example) was
missing, out went the partial set. I could have used the mugs for pens
on my office desk etc., but I already have some colorful mugs serving
that function in my office so I hope someone else enjoys them on their
desk!
3. White is Right. I've
decided that other than our set of rose-motif antique china, I now only
want to use white dishware and clear glasses and serving pieces and
then use colorful napkins, placemats, tablecloths, and napkin rings to
enhance my table setting. I like how nice food looks on crisp white
plates and if a piece breaks, I can find another white piece to go with
it easily even if it's not an exact match; I actually like a mix of
white and clear dishes with different textural designs. And it's less
expensive to update your table with new tablecloths, placemats, and
napkin rings than to buy new sets of dishes.
4. Drastic Plastic. Too
many plastic storage containers! Any that did not have lids or the lids
did not fit, I donated. You can also re-use them in drawers etc. for
separating small items like tealight candles, match books etc.
5. Let There Be Light. I
went through all my candles and got rid of any that had wicks that were
too short. I've decided that I'll also only use white candles now for a
nice uniform look, and I like to use different styles and sizes for a
romantic twinkle when I entertain. I use unscented beeswax candles due
to my scent allergies. I often put tealights in my antique stemmed
juice glasses and set them all along my bookcases for a soft white
ambiance.
6. Utensil Usage. I
decided I don't need three large meat forks! I only need one so the
others went into the charity box. Ditto stray knives and duplicate
measuring cups.
7. Recipe Reveal. Like
most people, I sometimes tear recipes out of magazines and put them in
clear sheet protectors and put them in a three-ring binder. I looked
through the binder, and I decided if I haven't made it by now, I
probably won't make it later. Trash time!
8. Bye Bye Bugs. I decided
I really don't need a hot pink mesh net contraption to cover food at a
picnic in case of flies! In fact, my hubby reminded me that we seldom
even have bugs in SoCal! He's right! Bye bye pink mesh bug cover!
9. Crazy for Christmas. Out went the Christmas-motif salt and pepper shakers. White ones will do.
10. Vase Vanity. I'm lucky
that people are kind enough to bring me flowers but after awhile the
vases proliferate and are duplicates. My new rule for vases is clear or
white, just like my dishware. Clean. Simple. Elegant.
If your kitchen cabinets
are groaning from too many dishes and appliances, ask yourself if this
is the style of entertaining and living that you still want to do
today. If so, go for it! If not, why not donate your dishes and kitchen
things you no longer want or need so that someone else can enjoy them?
There's a college student or budget-minded young couple setting up a
new apartment who would love to have them!
As for me, I'm off now to
set my table for breakfast tomorrow morning and I can't wait to eat off
my simple, but elegant, white dishes.
© 2009 by Kathryn Bechen, All Rights Reserved
Kathryn Bechen is an award-winning professional freelance
writer for national home and garden magazines, regional wedding
magazines, and creative entrepreneurs. Combining a B.A. degree in
English and Education with a certificate in interior decorating, her
biggest life passion is writing about order and beauty as a way to live
one's best life. She also enjoys writing and consulting for other
professional organizers and interior decorators. Visit her Web site at www.kathrynbechenink.com. |
