Aug 13, 20204 min read

Organize with ANNI | Less is More

Less is more. When organizing, it can be easy to go overboard. We tend to think more bins mean more organized spaces, when in reality we may need to re-evaluate the utility of the things we already own. Your home is a space for living, and that’s where we want the focus. Everything you own and operate should be in service of the people occupying the space.

Keep in mind that because your system is serving you, and you evolve, your system will also evolve. The system you initially set up to organize your items is not concrete. It needs to be flexible and fluid enough to serve you at different seasons, yet provide enough consistency to follow the flow of your kitchen and make it more efficient. In other words, your system needs to adapt with you and the changes you experience in your dining spaces.

The more you can simplify your organizing system, the less complex it will be. For example, instead of buying a lot of small boxes in many colors, consider buying uniformly sized, stack-able boxes in neutral shades. This will give your system a more consistent look while also ensuring that it is easily adaptable to changes.

Here are six tips when it comes to making minimalism a tool to maximize your space.

1. Open shelving is a good option. When you are able to see your things, it is often easier to keep them organized. This type of shelving also helps because you will tend to only keep things you love and find beauty or utility in on display. It’s also an affordable option-- search "open" or "floating shelves" at Amazon or the Container store online and the options are almost endless.

2. Neutralize it-- Neutral colors and shades are often the more affordable options, and you can easily add an accent color to switch up the mood or go with the current season. Remember, the goal of your organizational system is not to distract but to support. Unless on open display, I find that gray, tan, and black and white are my go-to’s when it comes to fabric, bins, or baskets. Keep it simple and uniform, and remember that you can add details in to distinguish one bin from another, such as labeling, as you go. Neutral shades and soft tones can help bring calm instead of add to the chaos of your kitchen. In a room that sees a lot of movement, these neutrals and earth tones can help you feel more rooted and grounded.

3. Monochrome color palettes can help make things match. Not everything has to be the same. In fact, I prefer it this way! I love a system that from far away seems to have the same hue only to realize that up close there are different textures and small, simple patterns that make it unique. When you are buying things as you need them, it’s okay if your neutrals aren’t the same exact shade. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the same exact product you’ve used as a standby and are hesitant to part with, but switching it up a little but while sticking to the same color can add a little dimension without being too distracting. It can add something new and nuanced without taking away from the main idea.

4. You really only need one (or one pair) of everything. Our eyes are often bigger than our cabinets when it comes to what we have the capacity to store. Having one of everything ensures that your equipment gets quickly cleaned so you can use it again soon. It also helps your budget stay balanced and healthy as well. Additionally, it ensures that your things stay neatly organized and not overflowing out of cabinets, drawers, baskets, and bins. Don't buy duplicates unless you actually need and will use them in a realistic amount of time.

5. Minimize the amount of work to access your things. Organize your ingredients and equipment in a way that it doesn't take a lot of energy to find and use them. This will help you find ingredients or equipment you need quickly.

Here are several ideas of ways you can achieve this:

Make all your labels easy to read and in the same style and font.
Utilize your vertical space to make the most of what space you have (especially important in small spaces).
Use clear bins when you can.
Stack-able containers are best for items you don’t use as often.
“Step” shelves (such as tiered shelves for spices) or "lazy susans" can help you find ingredients or equipment you need quickly.

6. For fine dining, pick a simple style and stick with it. When it comes to dining room dishes and decor, clean lines and simple shades are often the best option. Pick a simple style that you can adapt to many occasions. For example, the set pictured below could be used for birthdays, baby or bridal showers, Easter events, Mother's Day, and even other holidays if you can get creative. Again, you really only need one set of items. Having a simple set that you can add small accents to on different occasions ensures that the permanent fixtures have a place in your home, and when needed, smaller, more transient items can temporarily spruce up your space. Basically, you want a good base of dining items that can provide a foundation to most events and activities. It’s okay to buy accessories, just be sure to account for whether they are disposable or will need a more permanent place in your storage.

With these tips in mind, it can be easier to organize your space, keeping more valuable things that you use regularly and getting rid of the rest that isn’t supporting a system that serves you. If you need some help, that’s okay! Book online with me now and get 25% off my organizing services, for less stress and more space for the things that matter. Don’t forget to tag me in your pictures on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn -- I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Use "#organizewithanni" so I can find you!