The declutter diaries – The Kitchen Drawer Posted on January 6, 2016December 20, 2021 By Becky Okay, I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and say that this post *might* not be of interest to the average person, but it WILL interest those awesome folk like *cough* me *cough* who get off on a bit of New Year home organisation. “WEIRDO!” I hear you cry. Well maybe, a little, yes, but I am someone who absolutely thrives on an organised life, and that includes my home. One of my personal goals for 2016 has been to dramatically declutter our home. Whilst to the unfamiliar eye it looks clean and (mostly) tidy, to me it is starting to feel a tad cluttered with STUFF. We haven’t ventured on ‘The Hoarder Next Door’ territory yet, but little things, such as too much stuff in drawers and too many toys, are really starting to boil my piss. Stuff be gone! Although this is easier said than done. Whilst in all seriousness I’m really not a hoarder, nor am I overly materialistic in the sense of needing stuff purely for show, I do like my things. I like looking around my home and items telling a story, and reminding me of good times in our lives, so I know I will find it hard to ‘let go’ of certain possessions. I’m a bit of a ‘just in caser’- I like to hang onto certain things like craft materials/books/clothes ‘just in case’ I might need them one day. I also unashamedly like pretty things, which is why I happily use some of my vintage homeware and/or display it on our dresser, before it gets sold in my little online store. I keep hearing loads right now about Marie Kondo, and her methods of clearing up your home and binning everything lest it fail to ‘spark joy’. I’m actually quite keen to get the book and have a nosy, but in the meantime I’m going to clearing out our house ‘Freeman style’ i.e be pretty ruthless. If it hasn’t been worn, loved or used in the past 6 months it’s outta here. I’m going to document what I’ve got rid of, how I done it, and how (if at all) binning the clutter has improved our lives. So here goes! *************************************************************** First up- our everyday cutlery drawer: Looking at the above photo, I can’t believe we let guests over Christmas brave this drawer! <faints> And I also can’t believe it took so long to notice how cluttered it had become, and so full of utensils and cutlery that we really don’t need. I took everything out and gave it a good wipe and clean (one of life’s mysteries is how clean cutlery, fresh from the dishwasher, can actually make a tray like this grubbier than you’d think). Once out, I started going through everything that was in this drawer, thinking about what we actually used on a daily basis, and when we last used the least used things (are you following me?!). After some brief deliberation (no one has all day to do this sh*t), I managed to get rid of: An extra pizza cutter 6 old dinner knives 6 old dinner forks 2 on last legs dinner spoons and forks a rusting parmesan grater (we have another one of these, non-rusting) 4 big scary knives (we have lots of other big, scary knives in a knife block) 2 extra garlic crushers (how much garlic does one family eat?) 1 extra peeler And ta-dah! We were left with this: Not a major improvement, but much better, and I feel less tense every time I open the drawer, which let’s face it, is a LOT. Now if someone can just tell me where I can dispose of several big, scary knives without getting arrested, then I’ll be set! Already tackling an area has made me feel better, and I’m hoping the feeling will continue. Next stop, the food larder, kids toys, and my toiletry drawer in our bedroom! BeckyMeet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness. Home Organisation declutteringhome organisationhome organizationtidy home
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My kitchen drawer looks very much like your before photo (I’m a weirdo too I like a fresh start in January and like posts like this) ???? good luck with de-cluttering Reply
I am with you on this post! People say that my house isn’t as bad as I say it is but it’s things hidden! Drawers, cupboards and toy boxes! Everytime I open them I get so annoyed! I bliz my twin girls bedroom yesterday and I feel so much better for it. Loads of ‘stuff’ gone, cleaned and much more organised. If they don’t feel better for it, I do! Reply
Happy new year lovely!!! And I am definitely one of those weirdos who like this kind of post!!! I re-organised our kitchen cupboards a couple of days before Christmas and felt like a new woman!!! Absolutely ridiculous how happy, having a good sort out, makes me!!! This year is my year for sorting and chucking — funnily enough I was reading reviews about that book yesterday. Is it all hype do you think? Am really tempted to buy it!!! Love your new look blog by the way xx Thanks for linking up with us #HomeEtc Reply
Happy new year! Hmmm I’m not sure about the book, I think I may try and borrow from the library first. From what I’ve read, I like the concept, but not sure I can go around touching things and thanking them for all they have given me and the joy they bring/brought! x Reply
This was pretty much my main goal of last year, the crap had well and truly taken over. I’ll never be a minimalist type, I live happily in a bit of mess, but I did make a lot of improvements to our house and it felt good! Reply
We’re like kindred spirits!! I love doing things like this and always feel better afterwards. My husband thinks I’m crackers and rarely notices any difference, the big spoilsport. Reply
Your before picture looks like our kitchen drawers, they are a mess. And how do they always fill up with crumbs when they only go in clean!!! I have to admit I am a complete hoarder, I haven’t used half of those utensils but I keep them in there, just in case! xx Reply
You know I’ll enjoy this post 😉 I did my plate draw last night… it felt wonderful! Cutlery and utensils are next z Reply
Fab! Funny how clean cutlery can make the holder grubby isn’t it? I am totally not a tidy person but I recently had a clear out of my bedroom following the Konmari method recently. Very cathartic it was too! It’s my last post on my blog 🙂 xx #hometc Reply
Ahh I am also very guilty of being a ‘just in case-r’!! My cutlery drawer looks similar to your before picture… (in fact most of my drawers/cupboards are a heaped up mess!)…love the after and everything looking more streamlined! Good luck with the rest of the declutter, you’re off to a good start! #HomeEtc Reply
I’m hearing lots of Marie Kondo right now too and not sure I can be doing with it. But I think I may just be worried about what I might find 🙂 #homeetc Reply
I love a good tidy of the cutlery drawer to settle the mind! You know what I was expecting to be in your list of things you got rid of though, as I always get rid of so many? Those plastic syringes you get with Calpol!!! They multiply in my drawers. Love the sound of that book, I need more things that spark joy and to get rid of things that don’t! x #homeetc Reply
I read the Marie Condo book last year and I think giving the house a full Conmari is in order this year – it’s when I get to books it’ll get really funny! Reply
I am with you for sure!!!!! This sort of thing really bothers me (far to much) I hate, hate, hate clutter and mess and love anything that means being more organised!!! We have too much plastic baby things and I need to get rid of those, and way to many broken knives! You have inspired me 🙂 Thanks for linking up and welcome back! #HomeEtc Jess xx Reply
We only have one drawer in our kitchen. I have no idea who designed the thing! So hubby has installed some pull out wire drawers under shelves in other cupboards and I’ve got so many utensil holders on the sides too. Love a bit of organisation x Reply