Organize Kitchen Challenge Results: Before & After Pictures For Hall Of Fame
We've had a lot of participants in the organize kitchen challenge this week, and I have to say I'm so very proud of each and every one of you.
Honestly, there are a lot more participants in this challenge than what I have featured here. We're up to five different pages of pictures so far because so many of you have shared your accomplishments with me in the comments and also on the site's Facebook wall or directly onto the site. Each person who's participated should feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in what you've done. So, keep up the good work.
As you know, this week's challenge is all about kitchen organization, and specifically about clearing our countertops and sink. If you haven't participated in the challenge yet, you still can (whenever you want -- not just this week).
In addition, I accept hall of fame submissions at any time, not just during the week the challenge is running, because whenever you accomplish this task in your home you should be able to show off! You can submit your hall of fame submission here if you're interested.
So, without further ado, here is part 1 of the hall of fame for week #1 of the 52 Weeks to an Organized Home Challenge.
Rachael is our first hall of gamer, this week in the organize kitchen challenge.
Rachael says:
I got rid of the things we don't use anymore, items that didn't belong in the kitchen and freed up space in the cupboards for items that were hanging around on the counter.
I still have some things to buy (i.e. hanging wall baskets for fruit/veggies...curtain for the kitchen window, etc.) but for now, this works!
Taylor says:
Great work Rachael! You can tell from the picture you have so much more room to work and spread out now! That's wonderful, so keep it up!
(By the way, to see each picture enlarged just click on the thumbnail.)
Miranda shared her pictures on the Facebook page as well.
She explained that some of her decluttering and organizing had to do with switching stuff around to where it made more sense on a different countertop.
Really thinking through where the best place to place things is a big part of organizing, and strategically adding it to the right area can save you a lot of time and hassle daily.
No Pictures Of My Organized Kitchen Since I Was So Excited!
by Shannon
(Warsaw, IN. USA!)
Shannon is also in the Organize Kitchen Challenge hall of fame, even without pictures (I don't require them, just encourage them!).
Shannon says:
I got so excited to start this challenge I went straight to the kitchen and got busy! Hints no before picture.
I have to admit that I have no appliances on my counters to start with so that section was a breeze. My hardest part was what to do with everything that needed a new home.
We are pretty big crafters in my house and my counter is where it all goes down. So gettin all of those supplies organized and stored back where they belong was a challenge!
It is done and I will be trying my hardest to keep it this way. I just love walking in and seeing clean counter! Thank You So Very Much!
Taylor says:
Thanks so much for sharing your accomplishment with me Shannon. It sounds like you did a great job.
I know what you mean about making a new place for stuff that is accumulating on your counters being tough. Of course, if it already had a designated space which was easy to get to it most likely would't be accumulating to begin with. We all suffer from this problem now and again, so please don't think I'm singling you out!
That is why thinking of the functions of your kitchen is so important, and to be intentional about what you do there. Otherwise, little problems creep in and become huge messes if we're not focusing on them. I'm glad you've reclaimed your space for what you want it to be used for!
The Countertops Are Clear And Now My Kitchen Gives An Ahhhhhh Feeling!
by Diane @ Where Do I Get Started?
Before
After
Diane, at the Where Do I Get Started? Blog shared two different blog posts about her accomplishments with the first challenge to organize kitchen countertops and the sink (here is a link to the other one too).
My favorite line from her blog post said:
What amazed me most about this challenge was that it took me a very short time to make my kitchen have that ahhhhh.. feeling!!!!!!!! It really was about just taking the time to put stuff away . . .
You can see even more before and after pictures over at her blog, so go check them out! Great job Diane, keep up the great work!
LisaT shared her "after" pictures with me, as part of this Organize Kitchen Challenge.
LisaT says:
I'm so glad I got this done! It just makes me happy walking into my kitchen!
I didn't get a before photo, but that's probably a good thing - will get one for the next challenge! I'm very proud of the after though! Thanks!
Taylor says:
Congratulations Lisa! It looks wonderful, and there looks like there is so much room now for you to do what you want in there.
I noticed you have coffee mugs hanging on the wall in your kitchen from your photos. Those hooks are a great way to keep something you use often handy and easily accessible, but still off the flat surfaces of your counter to give you more room. It is a great way to utilize what is otherwise unusable space.
Definitely send me more pictures after the next challenge. I want to see even more success!
It Only Took A Couple Of Hours To Find New Homes For Things And Clean Up!
by Tina
Counter Before
Counter After
Table Before
Table After
Tina showed her accomplishments in this week's Organize Kitchen Challenge.
She says "it only took me a couple of hours to find new homes for things and clean up!" It is amazing what just a few hours can do, isn't it! Plus, all the time spent organizing should be thought of as an investment since it will pay you back in time saved, later, several fold!
I also like that she cleared off her kitchen table as part of the challenge. This area of our homes, along with our counters are typically where we dump all types of items and Tina says hers was just the same way. Look at that beautiful clear table now! I know she and her family will now be able to enjoy some nice meals there, which is well worth the effort of clearing it off.
Great job Tina, and please share more of your accomplishments on your blog in the future!
Do You Want To Be Included In The Organize Kitchen Challenge Hall Of Fame?
If you'd like to get featured for your efforts on this challenge, or for any of the other challenges in the 52 Week Organized Home Challenge, please submit your pictures, stories, and accomplishments.
There's no excuse for me to live the way I do! by: Jo
There's no excuse for me to live the way I do!
I admire you all for what you all trying to do to better your life, live a more stress-free life and and enjoy it more.
For me, there is NO EXCUSE for the way I live. I don't like to cook, therefore, there is usually NOT a lot of cleanup in the kitchen (I pretty much live on yogurt, cheese, sandwiches I can make quickly, cereal and fruit.) So, there's no excuse for my kitchen to be in any sort of disorganized state.
SECONDLY, I can certainly afford a cleaning lady but I'm too ashamed to let anyone into my house.
THIRD, I have so many clothes and changes of underwear that I really don't need to do laundry but once a month. Great! But the bad news is that it piles up!
FOURTH, I've been divorced for the past 30 years so I don't have to contend with another person's clutter. Basically, I'm pretty hopeless, but I am encouraged that if I read this website daily, I may be able to pull my home together, and also my office, since I am self-employed.
THANK YOU ALL FOR your encouragement.
Where do you put the fruit? by: Allen
My wife and I are able to keep the counters pretty clear but what do you do with fruit? I see no fresh fruit on any of the counters in the pictures. Some fruit should not be in the fridge so where does it go? I'm serious about this because at this time of the year we get fruit flies and I am trying all kinds of things (thanks to Google) to rid of them. My grandchildren and I love to eat fresh fruit - but where can we store it?
week 1 kitchen question by: Judy
I'm new at this and a bit confused.
So this week we need to clear kitchen counters and keep sink clean. We will clean drawers, etc. in future weeks?
response re Judy's question by: Taylor
Hi Judy, and thanks for joining the challenges. Yes, in Week #1 we focus on part of the kitchen, the counters and keeping the sink clear, then in week 2 we move onto other areas of the kitchen, including drawers and cabinets. Here's a link to week #2.
Shelf by: Jonie
Something you could also do would be get a small curtain rod (or even a shower curtain adjustable rod that wouldn't require nails or screws) and put a pretty curtain up to hide the glasses.
Where to put the breads? by: Denise
We cleared the counters for the holiday, so that step is done. But we have a corner for the toaster, but no where to keep the loaves of bread and English muffins. Any suggestions?
plan on posting some before and afters by: Shar Stewart
I love the first week of tackling kitchen counters. Since it's nighttime here, I will post a before and after in the morning.
I needed this push to stay organized and declutter. Thank you so much!
I'm starting in 2017 by: Karen
Pictures here have really got me excited to start 2017 doing this challenge!!
I'm motivated by: Jennifer
I can't wait to start this evening! The pictures posted have really given me inspiration. Thank you.
Excited to start new habits by: Tecla
Hi, I am so pleased that I came across this on Pinterest and very ready to give this a go! I think this will be a great motivational tool that will keep me going even on bad days. I suffer with depression and find it hard to keep up with day to day living and this is the best tool I've come across yet with the added bonus of support and regular updates. Shall try to send a few photos too, although my kitchen will be a bit different looking as I am in the UK and there are some differences in appliances!
Gaining Control by: Calli
I'm so excited to see these before and after pictures. It shows me that it CAN be done and I don't have to continue to live the way I do. My husband was a collector and an artist. He would see something and bring it home, then see something (usually the exact same thing to me) and see another use for it and...bring it home...again. After his passing, I have decided to get control of our home. My 11-year old daughter shouldn't have to live like this either. I can't wait to start decluttering and clearing the countertops tonight.
Keep Like with Like by: Anonymous
Having zones in the kitchen and keeping items that are used together near their point of use simplifies life and makes food preparation so much easier. Zones might include food preparation, dishes, flatware and glasses near sink and dishwasher, baking zone, small appliance storage near point of use but off the counter. I realized that I was storing small appliances that I was using regularly on shelves in the garage while using high value storage areas for thing that were infrequently used. I switched these items around and it is a win!
What an amazing 1st week by: Cindy
What an amazing 1st week. My kitchen looks huge now. My cat got up on the counter for the 1st time because there was room to get there. Once my husband yelled at her with his deep strong voice she hasn't been back up since.