Kitchen Organization – Second Steps

If you read Container Confusion, you have seen the basic process I follow when organizing most spaces (read the original article for more detail):

1. Declutter.
2. Review work flow (create specific zones and workstations)
3. Assess keepers (get things into their areas)
4. Sort (within each zone, sort out like with like, if it is not already)
5. Take measurements
6. Investigate storage alternatives
7. Contain (or implement systems)

DRASTIC doesn’t work right off the bat in most kitchens (or bathrooms) because you have so many built in containers that you are stuck with. But once you have all of those cabinets, the pantry and the fridge generally organized so that the kitchen as a whole works better for you, you can use the DRASTIC process to take your kitchen to the next level.

Finding the Second Step

You can do it systematically by going back through each cabinet, drawer or shelf one at a time, but I tend to organize in my own home in a much more relaxed way. Like Project Day. I find something that bugs me or that I want to change and look for a way to improve it.

I have given a few examples of some second step solutions that everyone can implement in the Kitchen Quick Tips, but I will give you another unusual kitchen example with the reasoning behind it that may help you find a solution that works for you.

The Dishwasher. In our home we actively do chores together. Even the big DIY projects. We always try to find ways for the kids to be involved and help out. We bond with the kids while we work when possible instead of waiting for the work to be done before spending time with them.  They gain confidence, learn a good work ethic, learn cooperation and learn other skills that will make them more self sufficient when they are grown. (It is easier than you think to find age appropriate ways for them to participate.)

So, the Little Man has always been right by my side when I was doing household chores. He would fold washcloths while I did laundry. He would use a little dust broom when I swept the floors with the big broom. Etc. But I was always fussing at him to stay away from the dishwasher because I was afraid he would get hurt.

It was the thing bugging me. And hurt his feelings. So for me it was worth the time to figure out a solution.

If you were to see me load our dishwasher, you would at first glance think I was MEGA anal about organizing. But in reality I just figured out a method of loading it that made it easier for my little guy to help me put away the dishes (and me too when he doesn’t help).  And I used DRASTIC to do it.

1. Declutter. – Got rid of all of the food scraps and other trash.
2. Review work flow (create specific zones and workstations) – This was already done. I just matched where everything went in the kitchen cabinets.
3. Assess keepers (get things into their areas) – Sorted all of the dishes, pots and pans, etc into piles matching their workstations.
4. Sort (within each zone, sort out like with like, if it is not already) – For most of the piles, it was already done. There were a few things I took a step further.
   1. I sorted through the silverware type things and put all of the sharp knives together, the tall utensils by which drawer/container they went into, and the prep utensils that seemed to mix in but actually went across the room from the others.
   2. I identified other dangerous items.
   3. I sorted the plates and other dishes into the big plates we use and the little, more sturdy plates he uses. The same for the cups/glasses.
   4. The food storage containers by the ones I use for leftovers and the ones that I have set aside to use in our breakfast station.
5. Take measurements – Mostly this was just about determining my limitations of where I could put things in the dishwasher and still have the rotating sprayer move freely.
6. Investigate storage alternatives – There were specialty products that are made for the dishwasher, but most of the investigating I did was trying to figure out how to place the items so they could stay together as they were previously sorted out and keeping their measurements in mind.
7. Contain (or implement systems) – In the end I came up with a map of sorts for where everything needed to go when loading. Every item has its own special home in the dishwasher.

I just had to figure it out once. Now when the dishwasher is done, I open it and grab the sharp knives and other dangerous items first thing. He grabs his little sturdy dishes while I grab the more breakable ones the rest of us use.  Since everything in the dishwasher always matches where it goes in the cabinets he quickly learned where everything went and can confidently put things away without having to repeatedly ask about where it needs to go.  And I do not have to go hunting for things after he has helped. It has worked beautifully.

It no longer bugs me.

So figure out what is bugging you. If a solution does not easily come to mind, use DRASTIC to help you find that second step.

If I can organize my dishwasher to make our lives a little better, there really is no limit to the many second steps you could find. If you wanted to.