This great kitchen set-up offers loads of visual motivation. I really like how everything is lined up along the one wall. I usually don’t enjoy this kind of long kitchen, but the shape works really well here. Also the subtle Asian accents; especially including the window covers and wall image are really nice and soothing. So far as organization, you’ve got all that storage space behind the stand-up cupboard.

This design is the The Mizuya Kitchen Remodel from the fab Greentea Design.

Lost food is obviously food you can’t find. Lost food is a waste of time and money. Need some lost food examples?

• You know you have sage, you just know it, but where is it?
• You buy 10 cans of tomato paste because you think you’re out, but really you’ve got eight cans behind the cereal.
• Your food expires way before you find it.

This is lost food - and what it means is that your kitchen or your pantry or fridge could use some help.

Here’s a basic chore list that can help you to keep your food areas organized. Later this week, we’ll look at some more tools, but first you need a starter list.

1. Every two weeks clean your fridge and freezer. The goal is to avoid expired foods. If you only clean it once a month that’s not enough, because you likely go grocery shopping at least every two weeks, and you shouldn’t be buying doubles of an item.
2. ALWAYS make your grocery list in the kitchen. This way if you’re doubting that you’re out of an item you can check. If you absolutely must make a grocery list elsewhere, put little question marks by items you may already have and check before you go shopping.
3. At the grocery store don’t buy staples not on your list. I used to have issues with staple, because we make a lot of homemade breads, and use a load of spices. To avoid staple food issues I made a list of staples and tacked it to my kitchen wall. Before each shopping trip, I cross check the list with what’s in my cupboard.
4. Use clear containers in the fridge and freezer. If you can’t see it, it’s possibly dead to you - I know extreme, but you know I’m right. I don’t like cheese. Cedar, my son does. Because I don’t like it, I won’t think to serve it unless I see it. We used to have a lot of moldy cheese. I started using a clear container to store it, instead of the actual cheese drawer, and behold, no more moldy cheese!
5. In your dry food area store like-shaped items together. I.e boxes, cans, jars.
6. If you can’t find space for your groceries it’s time to re-think how to use what you have before you go shopping again. Make recipe lists around what’s already in your cupboard - use it up - then buy more.
7. Make your own pantry. I’ve always wanted a cool pantry, but never had one. I’ve used a shelf in the laundry room, a bookcase in the garage, and a hall closet to store bulk items and cans. If the only space you have is out in the open, you can tack a nice sheet or fabric over the shelf to hide the boring cans.

What’s your best tip for not losing food items in the kitchen zone?

[photo via stock.xchng - with minor Jennifer adjustments]

Our previous Declutter It blogger, Julie liked to do things like “Where’s my desk Wednesday” and “Tame those toys Thursdays” - special days at blogs are cool, but not for me. Ironically, I never stick to organized blog days. That said, I think we’ll be starting a new series here called “Motivation for Organization.” It won’t be on any particular day though. Mainly because when I find stuff, I find stuff.

The idea behind Motivation for Organization is that when I see a particularly well-organized and nicely designed space, it really inspires me to get it together. I suspect I’m not the only person on the planet that visual cues work well for either. I also suspect that my obsession with architecture and spaces in general, leads me to see quite a lot of spaces that may inspire you to get organized. Hence the new series. These will also be nice quick shots, you can take it or leave it (because I know we don’t all agree on design ideas). I’ll always link to info about how to design your own space like the one we’re seeing if you do choose to take it.

Today, I found a really nice uncluttered desk in a tidy little office nook that is part of a bungalow kitchen remodel. The desk has these great shelving aspects built in that can really help you to get your space organized, and the colors are soothing, not cluttering to your head. Note especially how the desk placement works to provide natural lighting. Overall, a great little organized office nook. I would suggest a more ergonomic chair though.

To learn more about this Sunset feature, read the entire kitchen remodel article.