Kitchen Project
This kitchen project required a complete cleanup in order to move to the organizing/decluttering phase (yes, we offer cleaning services too!).
Tackling a messy home can be an daunting task, especially when you are busy with other priorities. Some people find it difficult to even gather the motivation to tackle the cleaning part. In this case The Minimizer was called in to help on a per project basis starting with the kitchen.
Following the completion of the kitchen, our client has been able to keep that space in tip top shape for one month (as of today's posting date!).
Getting There
Our client offered us the opportunity to use his kitchen as a case study to let others (in a similar situation) know they are not alone!
"There's a whole psychology behind my chaotic mess that a lot of people (especially single parents) can relate to", he explains. "I work from home and when I hyper-focus on a job, everything else becomes secondary. Each day I'd tell myself I have to do the dishes and then postpone for the next day and then next week and then it becomes a month. By the time I submit a job to my client, the kitchen is trashed. Around that time, I'm ready to start on the next job...I look at the mess and don't know where to start... dishes need washing for me to cook...do I just focus on my work and order in and deal with it later? Hell yeah! and on it goes... I considered to call The Minimizer but it was embarassing, so I figured maybe at some point when I do clean up I can call for decluttering and organizing...but weeks passed and finally I made the call. Denise from The Minimizer reminded me that I'm not the only one that is too busy to deal with home chores and that she's no stranger to spaces that are as cluttered as mine. When she came in to take a look I explained that I am too busy to even be there while she's cleaning and organizing and then it dawned on me... I asked Denise to pretend she just moved into this space and to clean and organise it like she would at home AND THAT'S WHEN THE MAGIC BEGUN!
Figure 1.1
All spaces in the kitchen area (e.g. cupboards, pantry, drawers, stove, fridge, freezer) were prepared for a thorough, deep cleanup which also included checking expiry dates.
Figure 1.2
After going through all kitchen areas we decluttered and organized. Everything was setup to create a more functional flow for cooking, easy access, and to maximize space. Cutlery, cooking tools (like ladles, tongues, etc), and bowls were organized and placed in an accessible location (like a kitchen counter caddy). Spices were organized in smaller containers and stored in a single unit for drawer access (this minimizes mess and enables you to quickly access all your spices).
Figure 1.3
These items were debatable as to keeping or getting rid off and were identified as extras. Due to our client's time constraints we placed the extras in a see-through container for his review at a later date. After one month, we were told that the container with the duplicates hadn't been used which in a way confirmed that those items were more of a clutter than of use. Our client kept the container in storage for backup should the need arise.
Testimonial
"Denise thank you so much for getting me on track! It was the first step in starting to balance my life. It's so easy to lose track of time when you love your work (especially when working from home and you're single). The problem with me is that losing track of time equals a trashed place; which would hardly bother me since I'd be in front of the computer the majority of the time. However, I never anticipated the sigh of relief and excitement at the vision of a clean and organised space...I had normalised chaos."
Chris K.
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