Strategies used to maximize space and minimize headaches
Many people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) struggle to maintain an organized and controlled kitchen. From overflowing cabinets and stuff all over the place, to misplaced and duplicate items, it could get overwhelming, fast. It’s already difficult enough for someone with ADHD to get a healthy dinner on the table on time because meal prepping happens at the end of the day, when your medication runs out and your brain is fried from a long day. Wasting time looking for your stuff can send just about anyone to opt for less healthy take out options. Having an organized workspace will make it so much easier to cook.
Follow these 6 hacks to make your kitchen a less cluttered, more inviting, fresh looking, and stress-free environment!
1. Hidden Spaces
Hidden spaces can be used as a great asset when it comes to maximizing space in a kitchen. Hooks can be placed inside cabinet doors, on the wall, or in any subtle location in order to hang oven mitts, cooking utensils, or any other accessories, without them looking out of place. Utilizing hidden spaces allows for there to be an even distribution of items in one location, making the space less cluttered and items to be easily accessible at all times. When things are easy to access is it increases your likelihood of putting stuff away. 2. Space Makers
Space makers can also be used when it comes to maximizing space in a kitchen, especially for items that can’t be placed in a hidden space, such as plates, bowls, or pots. Having everything stacked on top of each other is sure to cause a headache, and a potential disaster when trying to grab something that’s not on top. Space makers, small metal shelfs that fit in cabinets, allow you to put as many items as possible in one location, while making them very organized, easy to access, and easy to distinguish. Frying pans can have their own designated mini shelf when you use a corner unit while place settings can all fit in one cupboard.
3. In View to Cue
People with ADHD are very visual. Often times, we leave things out on the kitchen counter to remind ourselves to do a task, like taking our medication. Keeping the little things in view can help not misplace items that would otherwise be hidden inside cupboards. Using large utensil holders can help keep spatulas, serving spoons, whisks, or any other cooking utensils that are used most often in view while not making the space look cluttered or out of place.
Baskets can also be used to keep vitamins or pills in view without having a mess on the counter. By having these things in view, it allows for them to be accessed, tasks to get done and items placed back with ease.
4. Divide & Conquer
A junk drawer can be transformed into an un-cluttered, organized space even if we store just about anything inside them. All it takes are a few dividers, or containers to keep drawers tame and tidy.
Simply place dividers or small containers with no lids inside the drawers and designate a specific section for each item. When you need to grab something out of the drawer, it’ll be in plain sight as opposed to having to go digging inside the drawer to try and find something that may not even be there! Dividing drawers saves that time by providing you with the ability to see everything that’s inside, within a few seconds, while being visually pleasing. When your friends come over, you can show off your new “junk drawer”.
5. Container Control: Using Caddies
Containers can be used in cupboards to store dry items that come in bulk such as cereal, oats, seeds, nuts, or chips, in order to maximize space. Containers are easier to fit and stack, they keep your food fresh, bugs out, and they can also be labelled making it easy to see exactly what everything is and where it is. See through containers are best for people with ADHD. For items that can’t go in containers, caddies can be used to keep similar items in the same place. Instead of having to move everything around in the cupboard to get something from the back, pull the caddie out and take what you need, then put it back. Once again, this allows for everything in the cupboard to be organized, easy to find, and more importantly, easier to clean!
6. Control the Spread
Often enough, we don’t seem to notice how many papers, letters, bags, boxes, and junk we leave on our kitchen counters. The cluttered junk keeps piling up and eventually there’s nowhere else to put it because there’s too much there. Setting rules and limitations with your spouse is a very good strategy to implement in order to limit the number of unnecessary items on the counters. A small area of the counter could be designated as a drop zone for the spouse with ADHD to leave key items in view as reminders. The rest of the counter should be empty and organized. If need be, use some painters’ tape to designate the zone that the ADHD spouse can drop their items in. If the line is crossed, you have permission to call in the “border patrol” to remind them to clean up!
With these hacks, nothing can stop you from having the perfect, clutter free, organized kitchen. There will be no more headaches caused by something being lost or misplaced, and now your kitchen can be a place of pride rather than shame. You then can focus on becoming the next family chef!
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