Kitchen Design
Guest Picks: Organizing Your Kitchen for the New Year
Resolve to find a place for plastic bags, compost and piles of dishes to declutter your kitchen
I know what you're thinking, "Organize my kitchen in January — how cliche!" But here's the thing: between all the baking and entertaining that went down between November and December, your kitchen is likely feeling the wear and tear. Here are 20 products to give your kitchen the TLC it needs and get it up and running for 2012. — Clara from Channeling Contessa
Lipper International Bamboo Over-the-Sink Shelf
Oddly enough, I'd never seen one of these sink shelves for the kitchen until I happened upon this one on Target's website. As someone who is constantly moving around my sponges and dish soap, this could definitely come in handy.
simplehuman studio Grocery Bag Holder
Are you drowning in a sea of plastic bags from the holidays? This canister mounts to the wall or inside of a cabinet and neatly stores all those pesky bags. I wish I had this one on my Christmas list.
Range Kleen Oval Hanging Pot Rack, Black
OK, this pot rack is not the easiest thing to install, but it's a new year and it's time to come clean. Are your cabinets screaming for more space? Think how much you could free up by hanging your pots from this, not to mention how fabulous it will make your kitchen look.
Heritage Hill Jar, 2-gal.
I love the classic look of Heritage Hill storage jars, and if you're not short on counter space, they're perfect for storing (and displaying) the dried goods you use frequently. The wide mouth also makes them great for measuring and scooping from.
Large Green Rubber Gloves
Do you wash a lot of dishes? Yeah, me too. All that time in the water makes my hands unbearably dry, so I started wearing rubber gloves. Now my hands stay silky smooth all winter long. I'd love to wear these while I'm scrubbing pots.
OXO SoftWorks POP Container Set, Clear/White
If you are short on counter space like I am, these Oxo SoftWorks Pop Containers work just as well. Stack them any which way to get the most use out of every square inch of your cabinets.
Fingerprint-Proof Rectangular Recycler
It certainly says something when you're willing to spend over $100 on a trash can, but I'm all for it. Besides, what better way to get yourself to recycle? I love the design of this one from Simplehuman.
Stainless Steel Spatula Spoon Rest
Do your counters always seem dirty? Then I urge you to get a spoon rest. Mine is in use all day long, and though it's not too pretty, after a full day of cooking, my counters certainly are.
Banana Hook
For someone who hates bananas, I am really excited about this banana hook. If you don't have a lot of counter space, displaying fruit in a bowl isn't really an option. This little hook can be tucked under the counter and stores bananas beautifully without taking up any additional space.
Under Cabinet Stemware Rack, Chrome
Maybe it's just me, but the idea of displaying my stemware has become less and less appealing. Namely because I find that all the glasses do is collect dust. I love this way of storing them more discretely, and I can only hope they'd stay cleaner inside a cupboard.
Coastal Shades Dish Towel
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that your dish towels are looking a little shabby after the holidays. Clean ones improve the look of any kitchen, so, as they say, out with the old and in with the new!
eco-smart Cutting Board
Are your plastic cutting boards looking a little tired? Yeah, I thought so. It's always good to replenish with new ones, especially if you're cutting raw meat on them. These eco-smart boards use much less plastic than traditional ones, so you can feel good about this purchase.
Vacu Vin 3-Piece Wine Saver Pump and Stopper, White
Vacu Vin Wine Pumps allow you to keep wine fresh for up to two weeks. It probably won't take you that long to finish a bottle, but as someone who keeps a bottle on hand for cooking throughout the week, these are wonderful.
Method Gel Hand Wash Refill, Sea Minerals
I love Method soaps, and I recently started buying their refillable pouches because they're not only better for the environment, but also way more affordable. For hand washing and dish washing, their products are great.
Polytherm Undershelf Baskets
If I had to choose one thing most in need of improvement in my kitchen, it would be maximizing my cabinet space. I'll take three of these, please.
Riedel Microfiber Polishing Cloth
If your home was host to many holiday parties this season, your stemware might not be looking its best. This microfiber cloth would be great to have on hand for making sure your glasses are always sparkling.
MU Kitchen Pot Holder, Onyx
After a full year's use, my pot holders look like they've been through battle. January is the perfect time to pick up a fresh set. Do yourself a favor and get black — it hides the food stains better.
Brushed Stainless-Steel Compost Pail
Do you compost? I have a great service in my neighborhood that collects your compost each week, so I'm trying to get on board in 2012. This bucket would be a perfect place to store all the scraps for the week.
Drinkware Storage Box
I realize that a Drinkware Storage Box may not be the most exciting thing to add to your home, but I believe it's worth the investment. Most of us don't entertain at the level that we do during the holidays, so clear some space in your kitchen and tuck some glassware away in storage.
I don't know about you, but my knives are so dull, it's embarrassing the things they have trouble cutting! This electronic knife sharpener is just the thing I need to whip (or sharpen) them back into shape.
Next: New Year's Resolutions for Your Kitchen
Next: New Year's Resolutions for Your Kitchen