One Parade

Organization Project: The Kitchen


If you’re a frequent reader of the blog, you may remember my quest for a bathroom overhaul. While I will soon update with progress on the bathroom, I’ve been so happy with the changes that I decided to go ahead and begin with the kitchen.

Old Kitchen

Before

New Kitchen

After

My goal with the kitchen is to make things easier for me while I’m in there. I moved my spices out of the cabinets and installed a picture rack from IKEA near the oven. Using my spices has never been easier! I frequently forgot I had spices, so having them visible is a huge plus and has allowed me to experiment. Not to mention, more free counter space is always wanted… So having them off of the counter makes it easier to clean.

I was able to purchase a white ceramic utensil holder from Bed Bath & Beyond, since the utensils I had didn’t all fit into the old bamboo holder I was using. I was then inspired to move the knives off of the counter to have even more space.

The bar area received the biggest change. I thought about what to do with that space for the longest time… It was the number one space for Josh and I to throw our knick knacks onto. I had to figure out how to give the space a purpose to prevent us from doing that. I ended up buying two placemats at IKEA, which instantly took up the necessary space and gave the sitting area purpose. I grabbed a decorative (but also usable) ceramic pitcher, white ceramic pot, and an artificial plant.

I tried my best to do real plants in my apartment, but they die within three days because we rarely get natural light through our window… Which makes me sad. However, even the illusion of plants makes me happy and can make a room look so much better!

So I’m much happier with the kitchen, especially considering it wasn’t that expensive to overhaul the space. Now that I look at the before and after, I realize the little things make a huge difference!

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  • http://log.shattered-memories.org Amber

    I like how your kitchen looks. So cozy and so simple. My kitchen always has nick knacks laying around from my boyfriend or from me. It just gets to be so easy to sit things around and forget about them. Love how it looks, though. Great job!

    • http://one-parade.com Marjorie

      Thanks so much, Amber!

  • http://briar-rose.net/blog Paola

    Love it! Counter space is such a big deal… I had NO counter space at our last apartment. Now our microwave is mounted over the stove and we have a ton more cabinets so it's easier to keep it clear and actually USE the counters… haha.
    My recent post Busy, Busy, Busy

    • http://one-parade.com Marjorie

      Thanks, Paola! From the pictures I saw on FB, your new place is ah-mazing. I want a microwave over the stove so badly… But this kitchen has much more space than what I'm used to, so I'm incredibly thankful. Counter space is the key to happiness. hahaha. Actually, doesn't the "after" picture look like I've moved in to the bachelor pad? I have arrived~! I'm slowly taking over and loving every minute.

      • http://briar-rose.net/blog Paola

        YES! You HAVE arrived! Before he knows it, the entire place will have morphed into an IKEA sample room!!!! Imagine if you'd been allowed to paint the walls~~ Anyway, I completely approve of the takeover. I'm still slooooowly phasing out all of David's "boy stuff" i.e. sword collection, skull decor, et al etc. I mean, I still let him keep a few things in a TASTEFUL manner… hahahaha. (*Paola and Marjorie do the Control Freak Dance*)

        Btw, did you know there isn't a single IKEA in all of Nevada??????????????? TRAVESTY
        My recent post Tune-In Tuesday: Pitter Pat – Erin McCarley

        • http://one-parade.com Marjorie

          Exactly! I actually have paint cards in a folder as a reserve for when we move into a place and I can paint walls, so that I know what colors I want. Is that bad? hahaha. (Don't answer that.)

          Let me just say… I am SO glad I'm not the only one phasing out my guy's stuff. I felt bad. Now I don't feel half as bad. (Control Freak Dance!)

          I don't know if I could live in a state without IKEA… It's just not doable.

  • http://riyuu.org Jenny

    Love what you did with your kitchen! Even though the changes were small, the difference is still noticeable. I'm a huge fan of live plants as well (especially flowers), but with 2 cats in the house, I really can't afford to have them get flower poisoning -__- Just out of curiosity, what's the candle scent you have in that photo?
    My recent post Be a giver, not a taker

    • http://one-parade.com Marjorie

      Thanks, Jenny! I can see how cats would be a problem… :( Designers say fake plants are a huge no-no, but they've obviously never had similar obstacles to overcome….

      The candle is Twisted Peppermint and it's from Bath and Body Works! It's minty with just a hint of sweetness. Perfect for the holidays, I totally recommend!
      My recent post Organization Project: The Kitchen

  • http://lolitium.net/ nyuu

    wowowow Your posts on re-decorating rooms are amazing! It's really helpful since most magazines or stuff would suggest outrageous renovations and other expensive things. Thank you for the inspiration! May I ask where you got the artificial plant? Ikea? I really want to buy the same one XD

    • http://one-parade.com Marjorie

      Thanks, Nyuu! :) I don't have money for outrageous decorations, that's for sure. hahaha. The artificial plant is also from IKEA! They have a section of artificial plants in the gardening area that are very realistic. I had to dig to find this one, because it was almost gone. It was only $6 and lasts forever. ;)
      My recent post Organization Project: The Kitchen

  • Alix

    You reorganized & decorated kitchen looks so nice! I'm impressed how a few key changes really transformed the space in a place that is warm and inviting! You're really talented when it comes to this. :)