Friday, August 21, 2009

I'm Done--My Kitchen is Now Clean!

Well, I finally finished organizing my kitchen and I'm actually pretty happy with myself! I even had 2 great little helpers, as you'll see in the pictures below. The first thing we did was round up some organizational pieces that we had found throughout the house. Next we took everything, yes, EVERY SINGLE THING out of the cupboards and the pantry and onto the floors. I then checked all the expiration dates and did end up having to throw out a few items. I also put together quite a big box of items to donate!


Finally after a few hours of pure determination we finished!:)
And here is the outcome of our hard work:







I can't believe how much room I have now--makes me want to go shopping! My stockpile had honestly dwindled quite a bit from taking vacations this summer and I guess just because it was summer. Plus, I had to throw out a few items and I donated quite a bit of items our family either didn't like or items that had short expiration dates. It's definitely a nice feeling to not have so much stuff anymore... especially stuff we weren't using in the first place!

For organization I used boxes and Tupperware containers! My favorite organizational piece, though, was the door hanging shoe organizer! Instead of shoes I put candy bars & candy (up high), granola bars, seasoning packets and other small items. I even put my car keys in one of the pouches! I absolutely love it and wish I had thought about using this sooner. It's a nice space saver too. I used a Wire shoe organizer also. I have it pictured above as well!

The other thing I did was get rid of all the clutter in my kitchen. I honestly have really started to like a bare kitchen. You have more space to work with when you cook and well, it just feels a lot cleaner. When my hubby walked in today he said it looked like we're moving. It made me laugh because it really does show how much my taste has changed since I started this frugal journey. I've become such a simple person and I just love it. I feel better and really have just been enjoying life! It's great and although my kitchen may be boring--it's clean, clutter free and simple!

I hope you all got some organization and cleaning done too!

51 comments:

Vicki H. said...

Wow!! Good for you! i love the shoe organizer too -- what a clever idea. For what it's worth from a stranger, i think it's absolutely great that you didn't spend a dime to organize, but rather were creative with what you have. Good work! Now you've got my wheels turning.... :)

Alicia said...

Your work is awesome and inspiring! So nice to know that other couponers sort, donate, purge and work to keep organized. It's important to me too. Congrats! Now, don't cook dinner... you worked too hard today :)

Lindsay said...

Check out shelfreliance.com It has great can organizers that are similar to the soup organizers at the store. It's nice because it automatically rotates your cans for you so, you end up using the oldest ones first. Then, no waste. Even more savings! Plus, you can size it for a custom fit.

Jessica said...

WOW! Good job!

Renee Richins said...

Nice. I'm now inspired to clean and organize my kitchen along with every other room in my house.

Anonymous said...

WOW! I need to get my act together too. I love how the emptyness ( less stuff) looks. And still have plently of food in your pantry! Awesome job. You are an inspiration to all!

Anonymous said...

it's not boring... it's fabulous! thanks for the inspiration. :-)

hopevierze said...

Wow! Looks amazing! Great ideas- you're motivating me... :)

Monica McCoy said...

looks awesome! I love to be organized after piles of food start to gather.

Susan said...

That photo of the little ones amongst all those cans, bottles, and jars is absolutely PRICELESS! Congrats to all of you on a job well done.

Anonymous said...

Love it!! The door shoe organizer is a great idea. I used one in my old bathroom for all my makeup and toiletry items cause we had NO storage in the tiny bathroom. Why didn't I think of it for the pantry?

Baker Tribe said...

I LOVE IT!! What a great idea for the door!! You have inspired me!! lol...now I just need to do it! Thank you for your ideas and your helpers are absolutely adorable!! What fun you guys had!! or at least it looked it!

Anonymous said...

Wow! from 1of your #1fan blog reader ;)here in CA (east Bay)
congrats! and more power to you, and thanks so much for the great deals! that you are posting every day!

Yzelle

Anonymous said...

it looks great!!!
my little boy has that same green dinosaur shirt...now if only my kitchen was as organized as yours! Good job!

Anonymous said...

NICELY DONE! Your kitchen looks awesome!
Char

Jannel said...

That is so great! I want your size stock pile!! Thank you so much for all you do with this site! You have helped me save a lot of money already (just found your site 3 months ago) and love all the great tips you give. BTW- adorable kids!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! You go girl (and the helpers too)! I love the hanging shoe organizers!!! I have one on the inside of the hall closet door and use it for hats, mittens, kids sunglasses - I love being able to see and get what I need at all times!

Click Clan said...

absolutely LOVe what you did. i am a simple person too who loves NO CLUTTER!! Love the clean kitchen and organized pantry!

i just cleaned my 3 car garage and organized the heck out of it. I absolutely love knowing that what is behind the doors are CLEAN!!!

thx for all you do. I check this site 10x a day or more ;)

Unknown said...

GOOD JOB!! Your kids are so cute! I am about to start cleaning myself and this was so inspiring! I think that it's wonderful that you were able to use things that you already had instead of running out for organizational tools. Thanks. I have been following your blog for about 4 months now, or to be technical subscribing and just wanted to say that I love how you are adding pictures of your family. It's so nice to put faces with your blog. I love your blog and have been telling everyone from co-workers, my mom- who loves it also-- to the cashier at K-mart who checked me out when I bought my Trio toys(she was amazed) to a couple in the aisle at Wal-Mart last night!

Sarah said...

absolutely AWESOME!! You have to feel so good about what you accomplished and how it looks!!!

Unknown said...

Your kitchen looks fantastic! I love your spice rack. Where did you get it?

Jenny said...

That's awesome! I love how use put the pouch mixes in that over the door organizer.

Anonymous said...

Super! Please come over and do my kitchen! LOL... Your kids are adorable! Once again, I love your site and thank you! I have been stockpiling "free" deoderant to donate soon and pay it forward! Thanks!

fishinglady said...

I am proud of you, looks like the kids had fun too.

Anonymous said...

I am a Professional Organizer and LOVE the idea of the shoe hanger for the small items. That one I'm keeping in mind for my clients.

Amy C said...

Your kitchen looks awesome! Well done!!!

trash2cash4u said...

I love using the shoe organizers, too!! We have our washer/dryer in one of those glorified closet things instead of an actual laundry room and I put pet supplies ( treats, shampoo, heartworm meds, etc.) in an organizer on the back of the door. I recently added one to the back of my hubby's closet ( the kind that hangs on a rod) to store razors and cartridges! My husband had converted the closet in an extra bedroom into another pantry which is great for stockpiling, but that is our nursery now, so things get kind of interesting!!! =)My daughter's crib has tons of Huggies wipes under it now thanks to WAGS.Oh, and I also have about 8of those under the bed plastic organizers with body wash, deodorant, oral hygiene products, etc. and it really saves on storage. I just have a sep. bin for each type of product so I can keep up with what I have.

Anonymous said...

Wow that looks great! I am going to use that shoe organizer idea. Thanks for the inspiration!

Michelle said...

Ok, now I am going to fish around my home and see what I find to organize with. Wish me luck. Thanks for getting me off of my butt.

Abby said...

Love those over the door shoe organizers. We use ours in my girls room to store their Barbies in!

Anonymous said...

You have inspired me to do what I have been dreading - - clean out my pantry! I can't even walk into it anymore I have so much food. Thanks for the motivation!
Deanna

Anonymous said...

I have the same coffee maker! Love it.

Jennifer said...

I love the idea of the shoe organizer! We have absolutely NO closets in our current home, but I'm gathering ideas for the new home we'll be moving to in a couple of months. Thanks for the inspiration!

Danielle said...

Definitely loving the shoe organizer. What a great idea!!

And that is a kitchen in the new homes in TT?? LOVE IT. Man, what a change from the old stuff.

Sandra said...

Good Job! Love your kids, they are adorable! :)

The shoe organizer is a fantastic idea! Too bad I can't use it although I want to now! LOL I have a sliding door pantry, so it wouldn't work for me. *sigh*

Joe Money said...

I love your shoe organizer.
Thank you for shareing your idea.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the inspiration. I also started organizing my kitchen, but was extremely busy and only completed one cupboard. I will definitely finish. Your kitchen looks great.

Anonymous said...

I am very impressed! It's wonderful that you worked with your kids. Often I'd think that it's easier to occupy the kids while I do some work, but I've started getting them all involved, too, and I'm happy that we're all together and they're learning about helping. You are quite amazing.

Maranda said...

I like it. It looks comfortable. Just knowing that there isnt a pile of something waiting for your attention is liberating, like a weight off your shoulders.

Anonymous said...

A few years ago, I purchased a couple shoe organizers at a garage sale for super cheap, but never ended up using them. A few months ago, I started also using the organizers by hanging them on doors in our storage room in the basement. I put all our sample size freebies, as well as other smaller items. They work great!!

Anonymous said...

Your kids are adorable!! Your lucky to have good little helpers!!

Dawn said...

The shoe organizer is great. I have one too. It is the perfect size for granola bars, fruit snacks, bags of chocolate chips etc. I also have one pocket for tea bags, one for those packets of soy sauce/ketchup etc.

64belle said...

nts, can they come and help me. You all did an amazing job. Congrats

Kathleen L said...

You're kids are adorable!! You have inspired me as well to get more organized. That's great that you are donating extras to needy families. I am sure it will be appreciated.

momma-lana said...

The shoe organizer is an awesome idea! Wish I had a door where I could do it! It always feels so great to organize the stockpile- always feel so much more in contraol of what I have after I see it all too. A fried uses a shoe organizer for all the crayons, scissors, staplers, etc and I love that idea too.

Coupon Fairies said...

wow I love they way you did your Kitchen

Anonymous said...

very minimalist. good job!

SimpleInspiration said...

Nice work! I love the shoe organizer idea. I started writing all expiration dates large on the box in sharpie marker when I bring packages in the house, that way I catch them early enough to either use or donate them. I hate throwing out food (don't we all?)

k said...

I did it today! Thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Your kitchen looks great :)

Where did you find the shoe organizer ?? I found several but not as nice as yours :)

tks..Diane

Rachel said...

I have to tell you that after I saw your pantry I went right out and bought a over the door shoe organizer. My kids love how everything is where they can reach it. Thanks for the great idea.