5 Clever Ways to Organize Your Kitchen for Thanksgiving
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A well-organized kitchen can make all the difference if you’re hosting this Thanksgiving, helping guests to move seamlessly from preparing plates and pouring drinks to moving in and out of the dining area throughout the evening.
Streamlining your space and making organization a priority starts with a little prep work ahead of time. Consider these ideas:
- Declutter: Free up valuable space on countertops, in the pantry and around the dining area by moving seldom-used kitchen tools, equipment and gadgets to storage. By freeing up room, you can keep essentials within reach – like pots and pans – to save time and hassle on the big day.
- Maximize cabinet space: Take advantage of every inch of your cabinets with tiered shelving or pull-out organizers that are helpful for storing plates, bowls and other dishware.
- Use a spice rack: In the days (or minutes) leading up to Thanksgiving, you’re likely to reach for spices and seasonings at any given moment. By using a spice rack on the counter, you can keep those spices at arm’s length so both you and guests can quickly prepare complex dishes.
- Create a utensil space: Rather than having guests hunt down knives, forks and spoons in the drawers you normally keep them in, set up dividers away from the meal prep area. This keeps traffic moving when loved ones are serving themselves, avoiding everyone cramming into the kitchen at the same time.
- Set up a drink station: Similar to keeping utensils separate from food prep, setting up a beverage cart or table with ice, cups and libations helps keep the line moving. Consider using plastic cups and setting out permanent markers so guests can label their drinks.
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