A Busy Family’s Journey to a Functional Kitchen
In a home bustling with four kids of different ages, a kitchen isn’t just a kitchen—it’s the heart of the household. It’s where meals are prepped, snacks are grabbed between activities, and groceries accumulate over time. For our client, the kitchen had reached a tipping point.
Groceries piled up, supplements stacked in corners, and the pantry became a maze of forgotten food. New items were placed in front, pushing older ones to the back The result? Expired food, wasted money, and a space that no longer functioned the way it needed to for this busy family. It was overwhelming, frustrating, and impossible to tackle alone.
BEFORE
Our Approach: Overhaul to Elevate
We knew this project needed a full reset. After evaluating the space, our team broke the work into three intensive organizing sessions for the different spaces within the zone:
Day 1: The Kitchen – Clearing out and zoning every cabinet, drawer, and surface.
Day 2: The Pantry – Sorting and reworking the flow of food storage.
Day 3: The Hutch – Repurposing storage to make it more functional.
Before making any changes, we took a full inventory of the kitchen, pantry, and hutch to understand the space, how it was being used, and what was working (or not working). This allowed us to identify congestion points and areas that needed dedicated zones.
To ensure a smooth and efficient process, we also created a detailed strategy and sketched out a plan before getting started. This roadmap helped us stay focused, saving time and guiding each step so we could move seamlessly through sorting, purging, and organizing. With a clear direction in place, we were able to bring order to the space without second-guessing or backtracking.
THE BIG SORT
Tackling a space this overwhelming meant a structured approach. First, We pulled everything out—yes, everything!—so we could see exactly what was in the space. Using a systematic approach, we sorted items into categories, allowing our client to see exactly what they had.
Understandably, this process was emotional. Like many of our clients, they felt frustrated seeing expired food and realizing how much money had been spent on unused items. But instead of letting that frustration keep them stuck, we helped them move forward. Expired items were tossed, donations were packed, and we reassured them that this was a fresh start.
To avoid handling items multiple times, we used Post-it notes to mark designated spots before putting anything back. This allowed our client to walk through the new setup, give input, and ensure the system worked for their family before finalizing placements.
To make this kitchen work for everyone in the family—from the busy mom to the youngest snack-grabber—we designed clear, accessible zones:
Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers: Everyday cooking essentials, pots, pans, utensils, oils, teas and frequently used kitchen items.
Pantry: Meal ingredients, dry goods, and snacks with easy-to-see storage solutions.
Hutch: Previously a cluttered mix of craft supplies, it became a streamlined space for serving dishes, cookbooks, home essentials, and emergency items like flashlights.
By defining these zones, the family gained a natural flow to their kitchen. No more searching for pasta or wondering where the snacks were—everything had a clear, intentional place.
AFTER
The Result: A Kitchen That Works for the Whole Family
What was once a chaotic, frustrating space is now a functional, intuitive kitchen that supports this family’s daily life. With organized zones and clear access points, they can now:
Find what they need without digging through clutter.
Maintain the system effortlessly.
Feel at peace knowing their kitchen serves them, not the other way around.
At Space by Space, we believe organizing isn’t about having less; it’s about making space for what truly matters. For this family, that meant creating a kitchen that keeps up with their fast-paced life while fostering a sense of calm and order. Mission accomplished!
