Dream Book Design

Cleaning Up The Kitchen And Correctly Storing Produce

I don’t know if y’all are like me in the sense that your house, specifically your kitchen, can get messy really fast. It is the place that we spend a ton of time and the first place we unload after walking in the door. Its the place that friends congregate at, and I start crafts in. It gets cooked in every day, Bray has his bath in everyday, etc.
I hate when its dirty and messy, more than any other room in the house. I want it to look like a designer kitchen at all times, but then I am brought back to reality. I cannot have my counters completely empty at all times. I won’t put my soaps, scrubbing pads, and bottle cleaners under the sink at all times. I have multiple appliances that I use daily that I want easy access to. So this is to show what a difference a little cleaning and reorganizing can do.
This is before I changed it all up:

The main reason I was inspired today to finally clean it all up and out, and switch locations of items, was the need for more storage of fruits and veggies. You see- I have almost always kept all my produce in my refrigerator. Everything. That was until I started reading multiple sites from Pinterest telling me that there are actual proper ways to store produce, and that I was doing it all wrong! Whoops! I tried out some of the recommendations and wanted to hit myself for doing it wrong for so long! Now I have a large metal basket that can store any and all produce that needs to be on the counter, and I have a print out of what should go where on the side of my fridge.

image via

I also decided that I needed to get the coffee maker off of the main kitchen counter since we use our espresso machine way more than our coffee maker nowadays. It’s not because we prefer espresso over normal coffee, the maker just stopped working properly and we haven’t replaced it. I could look for the Best Coffee Maker that’s within our budget but the espresso machine will do for now. I moved the espresso machine and syrups to a corner, so just call us Starbucks;) We are also thinking of buying a new coffee machine soon, so we might not have this one for much longer. One of our friends recently bought the best grind and brew coffee maker for her kitchen and has inspired me to do the same. Do you have any recommendations? We have started to check out some of the reviews on The Full Moon Cafe for some coffee equipment inspiration. An espresso moka pot has already caught my eye. There is just nothing quite like a good cup of coffee is there?

And the coffee maker to the bakery counter:

I finally organized my cookbooks and baking items, and moved the sugar, flour, and oats to the bakery counter as well, instead of on the main kitchen counter.

This is what it all looks like now, while keeping it realistic. Yes, the Vitamix is not a pretty sight, but we use it every morning- so it stays. Sure, the bottle cleaning brush isn’t beautiful, but its necessary. I am just glad that I moved the not daily items to the bakery counter, and the really necessary stuff stayed put. I know some of y’all might be giggling over my kitchen towel attached to the dishwasher. I am completely unable to hang a normal towel on the bars because the dogs think they are toys. I however cannot crochet, so I am left to buying towel like this from thrift stores, or from my mom…which leads to some ugly but practical towels! Oh well! I am mainly glad that I learned that how you store produce makes a ridiculous difference, and now I can enjoy my tomatoes, avocados, etc. at how they actually should taste!

Have you done any easy changes in your house that make a huge difference in not only looks, but ease of daily use?

Comments

  1. Jenny says

    I put my dish soap in an oil/vinegar dispenser. That way I can keep it out in the open and in reach (a.k.a. next to the sink) and it looks kinda pretty/decorative at the same time

  3. Jess @ Spool and Spoon says

    I saw your dremel saw max hiding out in one of the before pictures… I love that thing! Your “before” looks like my “present,” which means I really need to go home and tackle that mess (even though it’s been on my to-do list for weeks now). Thanks for the motivation! The kitchen looks gorgeous.

  4. Anonymous says

    Hello! Your kitchen looks great! What is the name of the paint color? I am having a hrad time with greys at the moment..I have so many samples..yurs is the color I am going for.
    Thanks so much!
    [email protected]

  5. Anonymous says

    Oh, and the change that makes a lot of difference, is using the clear canisters..which I see you do as well. My husband also made me a long box type storage out of old barnwood, for my cookbooks, which also gives me more storage space on top, like another shelf.

  7. adrianne says

    Jenny-that’s a great idea for the soap! We have so many soaps up there now:hand,dish,and baby wash cuz we bathe him in the sink!
    JessH-you’re awesome! Thanks for the links!
    Jess-good eye! We haven’t used ours yet-I’m sure we will love it!
    Anonymous- the grey is Benjamin moores Stonington grey. It’s the color theoughtout all the main living areas in our home-we love it. Your cookbook holder sounds awesome!
    Liv-thanks so much:)

  8. Clair says

    It looks great! Not having to do with this post but if you’re still on the fence about crib bumpers, have you heard of wonder bumper? Those might be a solution for you…

  9. Care Agency UK says

    It is really hard to clean my kitchen. Even if I clean the kitchen, it will be in a same mess in few next hours. I love your kitchen. I also started to read articles from pinterest, hope it will help me.

  10. John mills says

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