Summer entertaining is in full swing! Anyone else’s kitchen starting to feel a little cluttered and claustrophobic? No need to spend a lot of money on fancy storage or remodeling. Here are a few simple ways to de-clutter and make room for the important things – like food and party guests!

Your cooking area should not double as an office.

Eliminate the papers and pens scattered over the countertops and table.  Use a whiteboard to write notes to family members or keep track of grocery items you need to buy that week. Corkboards are great ways to keep track of invitations to upcoming parties or to post a recipe so it’s easy to refer to as you cook.

Need even more help so these trivial notes and schedules don’t invade your cooking space? Check out the Betty Crocker edition of Cozi, a free online tool that maintains your calendars and lists so they don’t become kitchen clutter.

Create a friendly fridge.

Keep your fridge food organized by expiration date. Food that expires soon goes in the front, with fresher food towards the back. Put a list on the outside of the fridge saying what leftovers are inside to encourage people to eat up! Group similar items together, for instance, put beverages all on the same shelf.

More shelving? Yes, please!

Pantry organizers like door racks, wall racks, or undershelf baskets generally run cheap and provide much-needed extra shelving.  Try a wall rack made especially for spices to keep those jars off the counter and out of the cabinets but still within reach.

Get rid of appliances you don’t use.

This is easier said than done, of course.  But really, when was the last time you used the elaborate juicer you got as a wedding gift?  If it’s been over a year, then give it away. Regularly assessing your space will free up the countertops and cabinets for things you use on a daily basis.

Hook it up.

Adhesive hooks can be placed on cabinet doors to hang cooking utensils or potholders.  Hooks are also helpful in the pantry – hang up your aprons or canvas shopping bags to get them off the shelves and floor.

Avoid the Tupperware avalanche.

Do you fear an avalanche of plastic containers every time you open the cabinet? You’re not alone. To avoid this, invest in a set of 6-10 good quality, microwave-safe storage containers in varying sizes and get rid of the rest. Stack the containers within each other and have a separate pile for the lids.  Having a limited number will also motivate you to get rid of old leftovers because you’ll eventually need those containers for something else!

For more tips, check out these blogs about kitchen organization:
http://www.kitchenbathworld.com/?p=50
http://busymomsrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/01/tips-for-organizing-your-kitchen.html

How do you keep your kitchen orderly on a budget? We’d love to hear your tips and tricks!