Whole House Organization Challenge

Welcome to Week #1 of the WHO Challenge!  If you missed the post introducing this challenge, please click here. 

For everyone else, today I'm starting off slowly,with kitchen drawer organization.  This a slow start because my kitchen only has 2 - yes 2 drawers.  Let me show you how I tackled this problem.

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As I mentioned in the introduction post, I've attempted this personal challenge before.  Although I've never quite completed the whole house during the process, each year I discover new ways of organizing and setting up systems.  This, in turn, makes my home feel like it has been custom made - just for my Mister and me.  If you follow me on this journey, you will no doubt have a similar experience. 

But don't expect your entire home to look like Pinterest when you're done with this challenge.  That would be nice, but it's just not realistic.  You can expect, though, to have Pinterest-like "moments" in certain areas.  Let me explain.  

Below is my first project of this challenge.  It's the main utensil drawer in my kitchen.  Yes, the blue tray is hideous (and it's been that way longer than I care to admit).  So I took the drawer measurements and recorded them on this handy project worksheet (revised) that I created.  Then off I went in search of a bamboo drawer utensil organizer.

Notice the difference one simple change can make!  Before, reaching your hand into the knife section of this drawer without paying attention, could earn you a few "stripes".  But now, everything is so orderly, the drawer even looks bigger to me.

My budget for this project was $12.  Now, when I was contemplating buying the bamboo insert, I saw different versions of it everywhere.  However, when the time came to purchase it, I couldn't find even one - not one!  Exhausted, yet determined to start my challenge on time, off I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond, with my 20% coupon in hand, and I paid $15.99 plus tax for it.   The smaller knife holder beside it was an additional $4-5 dollars.  A mere five (5) days later, while browsing  through a TJ Maxx in downtown Chicago, I spotted a very similar one for $9.99.  Urrgh!  Lesson learned.

The second drawer in this kitchen is T-I-N-Y, and was already organized.  It's where I keep the brillo pads, sponges, lighter and a measuring tape.  Here it is below:

The glass containers are recycled candle jars.  To get rid of the excess wax, I placed the jars in a pot with water, on a low fire.  After discarding the melted wax, I re-purposed the containers, which fit nicely in this drawer.  Total cost $0. 

So I know what you're thinking.  What do I do with all of my other cooking gear?  See the photos below for my work-around solution.  

Yep! Instead of a junk drawer, I have a "junk jar" that holds all those little small kitchen gadgets like measuring spoons, potato peelers, cookie cutters, etc.  And instead of letting all those large utensils crowd my drawer space, I simply placed them in a decorative vase near the oven.  To read more about clever storage solutions that I use throughout my home click here and here.

So there you have it.  My first challenge has been completed.  My next project will be a lot more difficult.  On Friday, I'm tackling the pantry and other food stuffs. 

Are you still with me?  Please let me know in the comment section below.