Storage In Kitchens? Why Granny's Larder Is Actually A Good Thing

Cluttered Kitchen? Time To Get Some Tips From Granny's Larder
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If cooking dinner typically involves you darting around the kitchen in a haze of smoke, surrounded by chaos, it could be time to rethink your kitchen storage arrangements.

Yes, proper organisation of your cupboards – think granny’s larder, with its perfectly ordered shelves of labelled jars – could be the solution to domestic harmony and a smoothly run home.

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“The kitchen is the heart of the house,” says interior designer and founder of JC Décor, Jemma Cowen. “It’s where we entertain, prepare food with our families – and arguably the room that sells a home. Therefore, it’s so important for this space to be organised and clutter-free,” she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

Vicky Silverton, founder of professional organisation and de-cluttering firm, You Need A Vicky, agrees: “The kitchen is the hub of the house - a gathering area, an area people head to frequently throughout the day, and, if you’re a family, most likely a busy area,” she says.

“That’s why having a streamlined kitchen that works well – and stays organised – is key to family life. With a few simple tips you can turn chaos into a smooth flowing, practical room,” says Vicky.

From using beautiful vintage pieces for extra storage space to getting clever with kitchen cabinets and maximising the space you have – however small – Vicky and Jemma share some of their favourite kitchen transformation tips.

We can't promise it will improve your culinary skills, but it will certainly make cooking a more pleasurable experience.

Kitchen Storage Solutions
Take Inspiration From Granny!(01 of10)
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“The old fashioned larder meant food was easy to see and access. Keep this in mind and, if possible, store your food in a double cupboard.” says Vicky. “Avoid pile-ups and, although it sounds over the top, store tins in lines and categorise. When you buy a new item, put it to the back of the cupboard – you want to use the product that goes out of date first.” (credit:Wikstrom, Jeppe via Getty Images)
Start With A Blitz(02 of10)
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“First, go through your cupboards and have a good clear out of food to get some space back,” says Vicky.“Kitchen cupboards are usually full of Tupperware with no lids, random gadgets and tins of food that have seen better days,” adds Jemma. “As with your wardrobe, if you can’t remember the last time you needed it, either throw it away or donate it.”The same goes for surfaces: “There’s nothing worse than a cluttered work surface so either find it a home in a cupboard or throw it away.” (credit:Chicago Tribune via Getty Images)
Create Zones(03 of10)
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“Zone your kitchen into activity areas and group your utensils and food appropriately,” suggests Jemma. “For example your oven and hob should be your cooking zone, so organise all of your pots and pans, spices, oils and cooking utensils within this space.”“Put coffee and tea in one area or cupboard, along with your cups and mugs, with teaspoons in a pot next to the kettle – if the utensil drawer isn’t nearby,” adds Vicky. “This prevents people getting on top of each other in the chaos of breakfast time."Also, keep sweet treats out of the way, with healthy foods at eye level – and anything you would like your children to access, store low down. In other words, store practically.” (credit:MIMOHE via Getty Images)
Go Vintage(04 of10)
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Beautiful vintage pieces can be a stylish way to incorporate more storage into a space. “In my kitchen I have an antique drinks trolley which stores alcohol and some glassware,” says Jemma. “A random item that usually lives at the back of the cupboard only to come out on special occasions is the cake stand,” says Vicky. “I have a beautiful glass stand I use in my kitchen to display my fruit.” (credit:Harvey Edwards via Getty Images)
Think Outside The Kitchen(05 of10)
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“Anything that isn’t day-to-day, find another home for,” says Vicky. “If your kitchen cupboards are cluttered with BBQ, picnic and dinner party items then they need to find a new home. Box them up, label them and put them somewhere accessible, such as the garage, an under-stairs cupboard or the loft.”Jemma, who has a small kitchen, says: “I store all of my ‘posh’ items, used for entertaining, in a cupboard in the sitting room. These items are not used on a daily basis so do not need to be in the kitchen.” (credit:Fuse via Getty Images)
Maximise Your Storage Spaces(06 of10)
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“Look inside your kitchen drawers and cupboards and you’ll be surprised by the amount of wasted space,” says Jemma. “Try using cupboard steps, drawer dividers, baskets or hooks inside the cupboard, to make better use of the space.”“A simple fact most people miss is that most shelves in your kitchen cupboards are designed to move,” says Vicky. “Play about with heights and utilise your cupboard space in a much more practical way. Suddenly the oil and vinegar that have been cluttering up your workspace will have a home!” (credit:Kim Sayer via Getty Images)
Recycle Jars(07 of10)
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"Jars are something many people seem to collect but never use," says Vicky. "Wash and recycle them for storing teaspoons next to your kettle or the seeds you buy in packets that don’t reseal – or even to store that leftover smoothie you made in the morning, in the fridge for later." (credit:Oli Kellett via Getty Images)
Get 'Russian Doll' Containers(08 of10)
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A simple but effective idea from Vicky is: "Avoid a Tupperware mountain by buying cleverly in the first place with Tupperware that fits into each other, saving storage space and time! Then store lids upright to the side." (credit:serezniy via Getty Images)
Create New Space(09 of10)
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“Try putting some simple shelves on the wall, filled with your glasses and cook books, or baskets containing uglier items,” suggests Vicky. (credit:RubberBall Productions via Getty Images)
Have A 'Spares' Cupboard(10 of10)
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"If you buy in bulk, avoid keeping all of your excess items in your day-to-day food cupboards," says Vicky. "Have a 'spares' cupboard - one go-to place to check before you go to the shops and accidentally buy what you don’t need." (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)