8 Ways to Organize Your Dining Space
Whether you want to redecorate, clean, freshen-up your space, or re-design your whole kitchen, this post has ideas for you!
Making a Plan
The first step to creating your dream dining space is to figure out what is best for you! Is it a total remodel or a few touch-ups? Does something need completed right away? Maybe you just want your space more organized. Start with a design board to sort your thoughts (focus on an overall theme or color palette). You want to have a relaxing and refreshed space that is comfortable!
Two other important points to consider when re-imagining a space are TIME and MONEY. Create a realistic timeline so you can accomplish everything you want to get done without feeling overwhelmed. Set aside a half of a day or a full day for simple projects. If you need help from others for your projects, set a designated time you would like everything to be completed. Budgeting is not always fun, but crunching in those numbers will help you save money in the long-run.
MONEY SAVERS:
Look for clearance items or sale items
Purchase secondhand
Re-design a piece of old furniture or décor
Phone a friend or family member to help with the job
Invest time into a DIY project
Creating Your Space
Some of you may already have started these steps – and that is great! For those of you who are just beginning, start with something that fits your current lifestyle, something that needs done first, or something you may enjoy doing.
#1 CLEAN your working space
Throw trash away
Put items away elsewhere in the house that do not belong in the kitchen
Place kitchen items in drawers or cabinets if they fit
Clean the counterspace (even if it’s a small area to start with)
Clean counters with soap and warm water or a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner
#2 CLEAN your eating area
Remove all trash
Put items away elsewhere in the house that do not belong near the eating area
Move paperwork, magazines, toys, and “junk supplies” (such as paperclips, scissors, and writing utensils) that can be placed in other areas of the house
If these items cannot be placed anywhere else, consider placing them in baskets or bins to separate them from the eating area
Clean dishes, utensils, and cookware (place in drawers or cabinets)
Dust table or clean with soap and warm water or a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner (as recommended)
Re-organize table with coasters, placements, a table runner, centerpiece, a napkin holder, and/or seasoning shakers (such as salt and pepper shakers)
#3 ORGANIZE drawers, pantry, and other food storage
Throw away any food items that are expired
Donate, sell, or throw away (if unable to be used) any dinnerware, cookware, or utensils that have not been used in the last year
Dust or clean cabinets with non-toxic all-purpose cleaner (as recommended)
Lay down mats/shelf liners to keep cabinets safe from spills
Place organizers into drawers (for silverware, kitchen gadgets, pots/pans, spice racks, storage containers for food, etc.)
Organize your kitchen items in a way that makes sense to you (for example, glasses or mugs next to either a coffee area or fridge and cookware under or near the stove/oven)
#4 PURCHASE fun kitchen gadgets
There are many kitchen organizers, gadgets, and accessories in stores and online.
Gadgets: herb stripper, salad spinner, avocado slicer, apple corer, pineapple corer, spiralizer, stretch lids, spoon rest, etc.
Smaller Appliances: blender, air fryer, food processors, rice cookers, pressure cookers etc.
Cleaning Supplies: Scrub Daddy® or Scrub Mommy®, Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray®, microfiber cleaning cloths, under sink organizers, etc.
#5 CREATE a command center
Create a space that assists in organization
Hang up either a dry erase board, chalkboard, or whiteboard for to-do lists, grocery lists, or menu ideas for the week
Hang up a calendar
If you have kids you can create a list for chores and rewards
Place an organizer bin for markers, writing utensils, magnets, and binder clips
#6 PERSONALIZE your space
Decorate your kitchen with farmhouse signs, whimsical décor, natural wood products, or funky accents
Place a colorful or inviting mat down on the floor
Adorn the kitchen with matching sets of dish towels, mitts, drying mats, aprons, and/or pot holders
Even if you do not have a full “command center”, add a simple chalkboard or dry erase board for on-going grocery lists or meal ideas
Change up your seating (colorful stools? modern chairs? rustic bench?)
#7 START with a project
Add a backsplash
Hang short curtains
Paint your cabinets (fresh green or crisp white…maybe royal blue?)
Change the lighting
#8 EXPAND your dining area
Create a breakfast nook
DIY window bench seats
Organize a coffee bar
As said above, you do not have to rush into doing all of these at once. Take your time and set your own pace. Consider a realistic budget. Most importantly, have fun with it! This is your space to re-imagine → find what inspires you. 🌿
