It is a lot of fun to cook for the holidays and if you plan well, it can become an enjoyable experience whether you have people helping you or you are whipping up everything by yourself. But if your kitchen is small and disorganized, it can become stressful, especially if there are a lot of people trying to help you. It does not matter whether you are baking cookies or preparing for a large meal, there are different ways you can declutter the kitchen and make it efficient for holiday cooking. Let us take a look at them.
1. Declutter
Mess and clutter is a big sign that gets into the way of productivity and it is very true in the case of the kitchen. It is important to keep the kitchen clean, no matter when you are planning to cook. It can easily get cluttered and you do not need to be a minimalist to keep things tidy.
Before the holiday season, you can start by decluttering the countertops and the kitchen cabinets. You do not want things falling right out of the cabinet when you open the door. If you are planning to make upgrades to your kitchen like cabinet refacing, plan it at least a few weeks before the holidays.
The more organized you are, the more space you will have to work. Once you declutter the cabinets and countertop, you need to move towards other spaces like the pantry and fridge. If you have the time, you can also declutter the kitchen appliances. If the kitchen is streamlined, it will become easier to find the right ingredients and tools you need to cook.
2. Add labels
When it comes to organization, there is nothing as effective as adding labels for the areas in the kitchen. It will also help others know where the items are stored and will make the process of clean-up easy and convenient. Labeling items can increase efficiency if you are going to work with others. It is also helpful if you often work in a rush and have a pantry with shelves.
3. Work on the drawers
Whether you plan to have guests for the holidays or not, you can make the kitchen efficient for cooking by organizing the drawers. It is one place that is usually the messiest and when the tools or utensils are well organized, it will ensure that the preparation process is smooth and you do not have to hunt around for items.
4. Have separate zones
You can make the kitchen efficient for cooking by creating zones for various purposes. It is helpful to those who will have many people helping them out this year. Not everyone will be familiar with the kitchen and when you have zones, they will find it easier to help you. Keep similar items together and store the appliances near to where they will be used. The idea is to create a natural flow when it comes to work zones.
5. Have sharpened knives
Not many homemakers pay attention to the knives in their homes except when they use them and they see that it does not work. Sharpening the knives well in advance will make a huge difference in your cooking. Using blunt knives is not a good idea and it will waste your time and effort. Hence, ensure that the tools you intend to use are at par when cooking.
6. Use a spice rack
A lot of us often find ourselves in the middle of preparing a meal and looking all around the kitchen for the right spices for it. The kitchen has so many spices and they need to be organized. Even if you keep them in the pantry, it will be difficult to choose and get the right one at the right time. Consider having a spice rack to ensure that everything is in place.
7. Set up the supplies
You can make the most of the available space in the kitchen by hanging the supplies like pots, pans, and other cooking utensils. It will also become easier for others to find things. During the holiday season, do not store the pots and pans in the oven or on top of the fridge.
The holiday season is a lot of fun and this is the time when you are most excited to whip your favorite holiday dishes for everyone. If you want to prepare the best meal, you need to have the kitchen set. If your space is prepared, you will be well-prepared too.
You need to work in a kitchen that makes you feel comfortable and confident, even if you have others helping you. Through decluttering, having labels, and setting zones, you can achieve that. Do not feel overwhelmed looking at the number of things you have in the kitchen. Take one step at a time and focus on different areas of the kitchen on different days.
