Marie Kondo-inspired tips to organise your kitchen before Christmas

As Christmas fast approaches (how does it come around faster each year?), many homeowners look to refresh their living spaces. According to Metro, UK homes are known for being the smallest in the world. At the same time, they are perhaps the most expensive. For this reason, most of us know the significance of maximising the space we have available.

Good organisation is a great start. When it comes to refreshing your home, your kitchen is as important as any other area, and is certainly a room you’ll spend a lot of time in during this festive period. Marie Kondo’s KonMari method is the ideal approach to decluttering and organising your kitchen space ahead of the big day.

In this article, I share some tips inspired by Kondo’s philosophy to help you organise your kitchen before Christmas.

 

Declutter by Category

Hoarding is not just a habit; it is a disorder that can make your home and life chaotic. Southwark Council highlights the downside of clutter and hoarding, yet countless people struggle with these issues. If you are among them, you may end up with clutter and endless useless stuff even without realising it.

The KonMari method guides homeowners to declutter by category instead of location. You can gather all items in your kitchen and sort them into three main categories, such as cooking utensils, appliances, and eating implements. With this approach, making informed decisions becomes a breeze.

When decluttering, get rid of anything that may compromise safety. Some brands of pressure cookers have been recalled due to their defective designs making them prone to exploding. You may wonder: can a pressure cooker explode? The surprising answer is that it can explode and even cause severe injuries so it may not be something you want in your home.

TorHoerman Law notes that injured victims can file claims against manufacturers for being negligent. Common design defects include faulty gaskets, malfunctioning seals, defective lids, and poor ventilation. A cooker with such defects should not be in your kitchen.

 

Organise with Intention

After decluttering, the next step is to organise your kitchen thoughtfully. Kondo recommends grouping similar items together and designating specific zones for them. For instance, you can keep cooking oils and condiments in one area, and store all baking supplies on another shelf.

I’d highly recommend considering how your cupboards are organised too, and what storage solutions you have. Are all your utensils simply shoved in a drawer, or do you have a utensil holder/space available? Are your baking trays taking up lots of space in a drawer, when they could be organised in a cupboard with a special baking tray holder? These simple solutions can actually save you a lot of space and make finding things much easier.

Shelving may be an essential in your kitchen too, to hold more items that you can also access easily. Floating shelving looks great and can be used to store the things you want to be on show, such as beautiful pottery or special mixing bowls.

Maintain a Festive Pantry Efficiently

According to Yahoo, a well-stocked pantry is a critical element of Christmas cooking and entertainment. Items that become particularly sought after at Christmastime include duck/goose fat (for the crispiest roast potatoes!), dried fruit mix, chutneys (for your cheese board), fresh nutmeg and cinnamon and spiced rum.

 

Definitely don’t neglect your pantry when it comes to organisation. Include it in your general kitchen declutter to ensure there’s no out of date food in there. Marie Kondo suggests categorising pantry items by type, such as grains, tins, snacks, and drinks. Storing all items in clear containers means you can easily see what they contain, but also allows you to grab an item without a load of tins falling on top of you.

Additionally, ensure your pantry is not overstuffed. The best piece of advice I can give is to keep the cupboard at about 70% capacity for easy visibility and access. Remember to check expiration dates and discard items from time to time.

Keep Surfaces Clear

You’ll absolutely need all the surface space you can get over Christmas. Before you know it, there’ll be baked goods, gifts, and leftover food covering your entire kitchen so be sure to make sure there’s as much space as you can get.

Perhaps considering moving appliances that usually live on the worktop that you might not need over Christmas, like toastie makers, blenders or coffee machines, as well as any other general clutter.

Once you’ve done this, do a bit of a Christmas spring (winter?) clean. Wipe down all the worktops to make them safe when making Christmas favourites, like cookies or Christmas cake, and, as Kondo says, to create a more inviting cooking environment. Be sure to move appliances out of the way, like toasters, and clean behind them.

Bring in Festive Elements

When organising your kitchen the Marie-Kondo way, bring in some joyful elements for the festive vibe. You can start with the beautiful dinnerware that you reserve for special occasions. Use it more frequently during the holidays, even when your special guests are not invited.

You can also hang some fairy lights on a shelf and set a wreath on the kitchen wall. Small plants around the floor and on the countertop also bring happy vibes to your cooking space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KonMari method?

The KonMari method was devised by Marie Kondo, and the philosophy encourages individuals to keep only those items that “spark joy”, while removing items that don’t in order to declutter and only keep items you really need in your home.

Additionally, it states that things should be organised by category rather than location.

How can I maintain my organised kitchen even after Christmas?

Organising your kitchen should not be a seasonal project. You can maintain it even after the festive season by adopting a routine for regular decluttering. Assess your belongings to understand whether they serve a purpose or bring you joy. Eliminate anything that doesn’t!

What should I do with items I decide to discard?

Discarding stuff is never easy, but you should do it mindfully. The items you no longer want or need can be donated if they are still in good condition. You can even earn some money by selling them online or at a car boot sale. Commit to recycling or disposing of broken items responsibly.

If you are looking for a kitchen reset this festive season, applying these Marie Kondo-inspired tips is a good idea. With this, you can create a kitchen environment that looks beautiful and enhances your cooking experience. Embrace the joy of organisation and enjoy a clutter-free space this Christmas and beyond.