Work in progress!

I did a small-ish shop from Daiso to get bins to reorganize the kitchen cabinets. 

Let's take a peep at what I have done so far. I will need to get more things, probably have to go to a few Daiso outlets to explore what they have! 

My loot: Bins and baskets!

Already the top shelf looks much neater with everything stowed away! 

Being a short person, I will need to get myself a stool to access the top shelf. I can't wait to get my label maker out to label every bin! 

Baskets with handles to categorize snacks and such in the fridge. The idea is to have a basket for everything in its category. 

Tips:

1) Get a few of the bins and baskets and not a lot in one go so that you able to estimate the sizing for the space that you working on. Downside is that you will need to make a few trips to the store, but then it will minimize any 'oops' purchases.

2) Get everything in one color, preferably in your kitchen color theme so that everything looks cohesive and neatly organized. (Hey, isn't that the idea?)

Excited with this project! There's lots to do and a few more trips to the stores to get everything I need. So stay tuned! 

Kitchen mess Part 1

Hello! 

Let's take a peek at our (I mean you and I) very first project together! I live alone in a 3 bedroom HDB flat. It was a little bit of a rickety mess, especially the kitchen, so I had that fixed up along with some other things such as electricals. But that's another story for another day, perhaps. I officially moved in on the 1st of September 2015 when there were still work to be done! 

The almost complete room in the whole apartment would be the kitchen. It's pretty much a fully functional (albeit minimally stocked) kitchen, however I really am not happy with how everything is being put away. Well, it's more like how I chuck things away after every grocery shop, more like. 

Here's what my kitchen looks like. Well before I installed my sink mixer and get the stove fixed. 

Pretty decent storage space, I would love more because I don't have a storage room to stow away my vacuum and all the bits and bobs. It just forces me to have less clutter and unnecessary stuff lying around. 

Let's get into the organization (and non-organized) situation we have going on. 

So much wasted space! Yes, my nan decided that I should inherit this Corelle dining set. Not really the color scheme I am going for, but it is very functional for when I am entertaining some guests.

I then purchased a shelf insert from IKEA. Costs S$7.90 and it instantly doubles up the shelf space. 

Link : http://m.ikea.com/sg/en/catalog/products/art/50177727/ 

I am still not happy with how this space is used, I am working out of better solutions to even further maximize the space and with easier access to what I need. 

Next would be this monstrosity of wasted space. I LOVE my ramen and it's my ultimate cheat meal of unhealthy eating. So don't judge! 

I bought another one of those IKEA Variera shelf inserts so as to double up the shelf area to put my drinking glasses and mugs. I hate how this looks. So disorganized and everything doesn't have  its own space.

Need I say anything more? My cooler bags for packed lunches and picnics have no proper homes so this is my only solution at the moment. My coffee and tea are just chucked in a cubby carelessly. A sad sight, really.

I don't even know what to categorize this into. Condiments? Well, kinda. 

And another weird cubby filled with an can of tuna and a jar of pasta sauce. And gum. Okay okay, I have run down my last grocery shop because I haven't gotten myself a fridge then. All I got were essentials and simple food items but running down the cupboard is a good way to clean up, clean out and organize things. 

An empty space which I used to put my spices which already has a new home (next blogpost!). Now how do we deal with this odd shaped space? Hmmm.

Storage situation under the stove looks like this. Crockpot, food processor, bread maker, air fryer and hand mixer. Oh, and my little traditional mortar and pestle. This I know, can be worked on the least because I do not have any store room to stow them away. Oh boy!

My contractor was genius. He suggested that I move the gas cylinder to where the sink is. That left me with the space under the stove for storage and it is also for fire safety reasons. The stove and oven can get hot. Heat + gas cylinder = not a great idea. At the moment, it's neat enough but it could be very much improved with a little imagination. 

Phew. Now what? This is where I will take you on a journey to transform my space and hopefully inspire you to do so too! 

Introduction

Motivated by the organizational videos and blogs based in the U.S. (and totally envious of the availability of dollar stores!), I decided, 'hey why not have the same application here in our very own sunny (and recently, extremely hazy) island'. 

I am a reforming clutterbug and with the new house, it comes with a clean slate and loads of possibilities to really declutter and organize my space! 

In this blog, I will be taking you on shopping trips to where you can get organized on a budget, (hey, less money spent, awesome organized space. Win-win, don't you think?) ideas for small spaces and organization tips. 

I really am excited and totally looking forward to doing this with you and for you guys! 

Till later! xoxo