We’re Claire and Lisa and we run Order in the House, a Professional Organising and Decluttering business in Northern Ireland. We started Order in the House in 2021 to help time poor individuals, like ourselves, to tame the chaos in their homes so that they could enjoy their homes and time with their families once more.

We’re excited to be partnering with White’s Oats, local oat miller and breakfast cereal producer from Co. Armagh, on their ‘making good mornings’ campaign. We thoroughly believe that having a positive morning routine can improve your mood and affect the way you approach tasks throughout the day.

The environments we live in can have a significant impact on our mental health and wellbeing. For most of us, the kitchen is where the day really begins so it's important to have it as organised as possible to start your day right. Below are some of our top tips for organising your kitchen to create a calming space:

Declutter Countertops

One of our bugbears is seeing huge appliances and piles of post sitting out on countertops. While the popular show Derry Girls may have poked fun at people keeping their toasters in a cupboard, there is something to be said for keeping countertops clear. You should only have out on display that which you use daily, like a coffee maker that may be too awkward to lift in and out of a cupboard. Endeavour to keep countertops free of unnecessary items to create a clean and inviting space to start your day.

Create a designated Breakfast Zone

Have a station specifically for breakfast essentials like cereal, bread, a butter dish, bowls, spoons, small plates, and coffee cups. This makes it easy to grab what you need without searching through cabinets and restricts any mess to one section of the kitchen.

Meal Prep in Advance

Prepare breakfast items the night before - you could prepare some White’s Perfect Overnight Oats or 3-Ways Granola Bowl using pre-cut fruit for a tasty and nutritious granola bowl which can then be easily topped with yoghurt and seeds. This will save time in the morning and encourage healthier choices.

Organise Cabinets Strategically

Place those frequently used items at eye level and within easy reach. Store the less frequently used items higher up or lower down to maximise space and efficiency.

Use Drawer Organisers

Create zones in your drawers with dividers, this will help keep utensils organised and should enable you to find things quickly when cooking or preparing breakfast.

Label Everything

Words to live by. Create a system of organisation by using labels, that way everyone in the household will be able to easily identify flour, sugar and cereal. Labels should help you maintain order in the kitchen in the long term.

Create a Coffee Station

If you’re a coffee lover, dedicate a specific area for your coffee maker, mugs, beans and accessories. We usually recommend keeping all hot drink ingredients and accessories together. This streamlines your morning routine and adds a touch of convenience.

Use a turntable

Turntables are an excellent item for storing the likes of jams and condiments. They will save you from having to demolish a whole cupboard to find the chocolate spread, instead you need only spin a turntable.

Implement a Cleaning Routine

If you can manage it, dedicate 15 minutes to cleaning up and tidying the kitchen each evening before bedtime. Waking up to a clean and organised space sets a positive tone to the day ahead.

Maximise Vertical Space

Kitchens rarely have enough storage space so use any available space you have such as above high cupboards or empty walls. You could install shelves or racks on walls to store frequently used cookbooks or decorative items. Doing so will free up counter and cabinet space while adding visual interest to the kitchen.

Hide the mess

Opening your cupboards and gazing upon the well organised contents therein should be a source of joy. Hide anything that doesn’t fit with your aesthetic. Things like overstock food could possibly be stored in a utility room or in a high cupboard away from view.

Regular maintenance

Make it a priority to regularly assess and declutter your kitchen. Keep an eye on expiry dates, we recommend labelling jars with the date they were opened and keeping short-dated items at the front of your cupboards to be used sooner. Be sure to declutter and donate items you know you’re no longer using to keep your space functional and clutter free.

We hope that by implementing these tips, you too can create an organised kitchen that sets the tone for calmer and more enjoyable mornings.

To find out more about Order in the House you can visit our website – orderinthehouseni.com or check out our social media channels @orderinthehouseni