Why Kitchen Organization Lasts Only When You Reduce Item Types Instead of Portioning Them

The kitchen, which is used every day, is bound to get messy quickly even if it is organized. According to a video from the Organization King channel, the reason it is difficult to maintain kitchen organization is that there are too many types of items or the organization methods are excessively complex. To create a sustainable kitchen, one must focus on "convenient living" rather than pretty storage. The presenter in the video advises that instead of putting excessive effort into kitchen storage, it is more important to stick to the basics and spend the remaining time doing what you want.

The Reason for Not Portioning Seasonings

Many people portion seasonings into small containers for a clean appearance. However, the presenter in the video aims for convenient living rather than pretty living and recommends using seasonings in their original packaging without portioning them. This is because products that are well-labeled and have convenient containers themselves, such as chicken powder or pepper, are more efficient to leave as they are.

If you do not portion them, not only you but all family members can easily recognize and use the contents. The key to maintaining a kitchen is "convenient living," where all family members can easily find and use items, rather than creating pretty living. The presenter explains that saving the effort of portioning and utilizing the convenience of the original products helps in managing the kitchen.

Storage Methods: Revealing Rather Than Hiding

If daily tools such as rubber gloves, dishcloths, and dedicated detergents are hidden in cabinets, the process of taking them out and putting them back every time feels like a huge task. Additionally, buying new appropriate tools to store them can also be a significant burden. The presenter stated that they do not bother hiding items used every day but instead place them in visible spots for use.

However, if you want visual neatness, unifying the colors is a method. For example, if you unify rubber gloves or scrubbers in neutral colors like white, you can achieve the effect of the kitchen looking clean even if the items are out in the open. Rather than spending energy researching and purchasing tools to hide items, a practical alternative is to keep them in visible places while maintaining neatness by matching colors.

Utilizing Storage Baskets and the Importance of "Emptying"

The fundamental reason a kitchen looks cluttered is that there are too many types of items compared to the space. The presenter emphasizes that the most important thing is to own fewer types of items that match the storage capacity of the house. In this case, utilizing storage baskets provides two benefits.

First, it provides visual neatness. Second, it serves as a standard for checking inventory. By looking at the amount in the basket, you can set criteria for shopping, such as "There is still plenty of jajangmyeon, so let's not buy more" or "Since there are still somyeon and pasta noodles, let's eat these first instead of shopping." Also, if items are classified through baskets, anyone can easily find items even if the space is narrow.

Finally, the step that must be taken before starting organization is "emptying." Because if there are too many items, one cannot even dare to organize, so the beginning of organization is securing space by boldly throwing away unnecessary items. The presenter advises that simply opening all upper and lower cabinets to check the location of items, reducing the types of items, and thoroughly classifying them can make the kitchen clean. Once you empty it out, organizing will become much easier and more enjoyable.