Think trying to organize the kitchen is a monumental task? Don't fret! These helpful hints will help you conquer the busiest room of your home.

1. Have a plan
Spend a few minutes coming up with a plan of action. Write down what your kitchen is used for: food preparation, eating, homework, projects, entertaining, etc. Write down what absolutely needs to be kept in the kitchen in order for these activities to happen, and use this as a guide of what to keep. Break down the project into smaller segments and tackle the tasks over a few days. You can simply check off your completed tasks on your list as you go.

2. De-clutter
It’s time to take a look at the mess that ends up in the kitchen. Find the source of the clutter, and you have discovered something that needs a place of its own. Create a place for everything. It might be a mail-sorting basket at the front door or a box to hold your current projects. Managing the clutter is a daily job. Once things have a place, enlist the whole family in helping things stay where they should.

3. Edit
This is a hard one. Take a deep breath as you go through each cabinet or drawer and get rid of things that ‘might be used someday.’ Ask yourself if the item has been used in the past six months. You don’t need it if you don’t use it. Get rid of past-date food and multiples of one item. Once-a-year things (like Christmas or other holiday ware) can be safely stored away in large plastic totes.

4. Fix it
Now that you have edited your list of essentials, take a look at your kitchen utensils. Do they need to be sharpened, adjusted, or fixed? Don’t put it off: fix it now. If a well loved item has seen better days and cannot be saved, replace it. As you organize, check every drawer and cabinet to make sure that they too are in working order.

5. Organize
New storage solutions abound! There are a myriad of dividers, racks and organizers available on the market now; these can be used to create custom organization of your space. Think utensil organizers, pot racks and dishtowel racks; visit a storage solutions store for inspiration.

6. Find more space
Think vertically. Can baskets be placed on top of your cabinets to hold less frequently used items? The walls between your counters and upper cabinets can be usable space. Can you introduce a wall-mounted hanging rack for wine glasses, everyday utensils, paper towels or cutting boards? Add a rolling cart for additional work area or a space-efficient set of shelves for decorative dishware and glasses.

7. Clear the counter
Leave only daily-use appliances on the counter. Clear counters will mean more preparation space and will make your kitchen look and feel bigger.

8. Clean the cabinets
This is actually easier than you think. Work across your room and clean and organize one cabinet at a time. Take everything out, wipe the insides and add plastic shelf liners. Wipe the contents of the cabinet and replace only what you need. Use a system that is logical for you. You will be amazed how easy it will be to find the things you use regularly.

9. Refresh the fridge
Organize like things together and find accessible space for the essentials. Look for items that are past their prime, forgotten storage containers, and sauces or condiments that are not used. Use stacking storage bowls for leftovers to reclaim space. Visit Inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/foodfacts/storagee.shtml for a guide to safe food storage.

10. Create a cleaning schedule
Create a checklist of cleaning tasks to be done weekly and semi-monthly. Having pre-planned tasks and handling them more often will make cleaning a no-fuss operation. Find the shortcuts that work for you: disinfecting wipes for food prep areas, plastic cutting boards that can go in the dishwasher, or easy mopping systems. It is possible to keep this hub of activity clear if you streamline and simplify your routine.