Tag: declutter

Getting Organised Week Two – Utility Room

Getting Organised week 2 Utility RoomI’m still following the A Bowl Full of Lemons #2016abfolchallenge to declutter and tidy my home.   Week 2 is the pantry, but as I live in a modern UK home, I don’t have one.   My utility room is a continuation of my kitchen, so I thought I’d attack that this week.Getting organised utility room beforeAgain, there is too much stuff cluttering up the place.   I did manage to free up one cupboard last week by moving things from here to the kitchen though which was a great starting place.getting organised utility room baking cupboard beforeI had some cleaning stuff in this cupboard and laundry bits in another which was also rammed full of other paraphernalia.getting organised utility room cleaning cupboard beforeA simple empty out of both cupboards meant that I could put all the cleaning bits together with the iron, and my baking tins could leave the surfaces and be put away behind closed doors with the batteries and screwdrivers.getting organised utility room cleaning cupboard aftergetting organised utility room baking cupboard afterThe other main cupboard had first aid, manuals, BBQ tools and the steamer and toaster which don’t get used very regularly.getting organised utility room cupboard beforeThe BBQ tools were relocated out of the way (don’t think I’ll be needing them in the next few months!), and Mr CG hauled out all the household paperwork from the many cubby holes in the house.   Out of date stuff was recycled or shredded and only the current paperwork was kept.getting organised utility room cupboard afterA good vacuum of the tumble drier, a hot wash with soda crystals for the washing machine and the job was done.Getting organised utility room afterThe ironing and washing were tackled the day after this photo and everything is now complete.   I just need to find a way of keeping my hangers untangled, so if you have any hints and tips…!

Week three is the dining room, which in our house is also the Craftyguidelets’ craft room.   I may need therapy after that!

Getting Organised Week One – Kitchen

getting organised before picturesI started #2016abfolchallenge on Saturday and the first room was the kitchen.   I took pictures around my kitchen and they perfectly illustrate my problem; clutter everywhere, nothing put away and too much stuff.Getting organised drawer 1 beforeThe first job was the cake tin drawer.   I thought this was a significant job to start with but one that could be completed successfully and therefore motivate me onwards.   10 loaf tins were reduced to 5, tins I’d bought replacements for or which had seen better days were shipped out.   The drawer was cleaned, the contents were put on my Sortly app so I know just how many tins of each size I have, and the contents were put back.getting organised drawer 1 afterSo pleased that I got everything back in, plus I added some tins from another cupboard so everything is now in one place.

And the cutlery drawer has gone from chaos to organised.getting organised cutlery drawer beforegetting organised cutlery drawer aftergetting organised baking cupboard afterThe baking cupboard looks lovely now.   I can see what I’ve got and it’s all stored nicely.getting organised spice drawergetting organised chocolate snack drawer

The surfaces have been cleared and I’ve re-zoned the areas.   The tea and coffee are now near the microwave and fridge and the mixers are closer to where I normally prepare food.Getting organised surfaces afterI am so pleased with how well I’ve done in week one.   Week 2 is the pantry which I don’t have, so I might move onto the utility room next.   The laundry room is week 13, but it comes after the playroom/toys which may need more than one week in this house!

Are you having a new year declutter?