10 Steps for Organizing Kitchen Cabinets

Are we all totally sick of the resolution "I'm going to GET ORGANIZED!"? I know I am. I did manage to drop off a carload of stuff at the Salvation Army yesterday, but that was only because I'd put it in my car several days prior and needed my trunk back. The rest of my organizing efforts are somewhat in limbo at the moment.

One easy and satisfying place to start is kitchen cabinets. I'm not saying you have to tackle the pantry (that's for a day when you have just watched a Hoarders marathon and you are supremely motivated!) or that blind bottom corner cabinet where you throw the strainer in and try your best to slam the door shut as quickly as you can before it all topples out. Those are no fun. Just pick the one that already looks semi-decent and follow these steps.

1) Pretend it has a glass door on it and everyone is going to see what's inside from now on.

2)Take a look at the photos below for inspiration.

3)Remove EVERYTHING and scrub the shelves with some soapy water.

4) If your a contact-paper type of person, rip out the old and replace it with new. There are some really cute ones out there lately; I've seen them at Target (please share in the comments section if you have another good source).

5) Take a gander at the contents. Is there anything you don't use anymore? Donate it to charity if it's in good shape, recycle it if it's not.

6) Think about what you reach for the most often and make sure it gets a position that's easy to reach.

7) Arrange everything in a composition that makes you happy. You're on your way.

8)Perhaps take a cabinet full of glasses and line them up by color. Make sure all of the fronts are facing out and straight, Jeff Lewis-style.

9)Take a step back after one shelf is done and admire your work.

10) Make someone else come look at what you've done and congratulate you. You deserve it. No you can work your way up to that horrible blind corner cabinet.

BE BRAVE! AND GOOD LUCK!