kitchen revamp - progress report week one

I am making slow but steady progress on my kitchen revamp (emphasis on slow).  Starting can sometimes be almost overwhelming for me on a project as big as this.  I am much better at making plans over coffee than I am about implementing them.

Since I knew I didn't want to tackle painting the cabinets until next week, I decided to start purging and reorganizing what's staying in them instead.   I figured starting clockwise was as good a plan as any so I began with the food pantry.

The first thing I did was take everything out and start checking dates and tossing.  I always feel guilty for the amount of food that doesn't get used before the expiration date.  My general rule of thumb for non perishables is six months after the "use by" date. Anything older than that gets tossed immediately otherwise I move it to the front to get used as soon as possible.

I purchased a set of these white stacking shelves for $8.00.  Not only did they pretty much double the size of my shelf but I was amazed at how much they helped in the organization of cans.  If you remember, I was storing soda and water on the floor beside my pantry.  By rearranging and stacking I was able to make room for the water bottles and liters of soda on the bottom shelf.  I also cleared some space in the hall closet for larger bulk items that I'll share later.

I gave my daughter a shelf for baby food and the food she buys for her own snacking.  (Yes, she can eat anything she wants in the house but she likes her own stash of junk food.)  This cleared off much of the main kitchen counter top where they were kept before and gave her a personal storage area...a definite win, win.

I can't tell you how good it feels to open the door and see everything in order.  It has me excited to keep going throughout the entire house, as well.

I am hoping to finish off the rest of the cabinets today so that next week I can focus on painting.  I am a little intimidated by the whole process of prepping and painting the cabinets but I've read a few tutorials and I think I'm ready to tackle the job.  I'll be back next Friday with another progress report.

Have a great weekend.

xo, Patty