The Kitchen: The Heart Of Your Home

Whether you live in a traditional stick-built home, a trendy tiny house or affordable manufactured housing, your kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where the family gathers for meals, games, or midnight heart-to-heart talks over a cup of cocoa, It is where the nourishment of body and soul takes place, celebrations are held, and where creativity takes flight. Today we offer a few tips to keep the heart of your home beating strong. 

Keep it clean:

Nothing turns you off of eating - and cooking - like the grease, grime, and dried-on food residue that can build-up if a regular cleaning regimen is not followed. The risk of food poisoning or other food-born illness increases with soiled preparation surfaces as well. Wipe down counter-tops regularly with a disinfectant cleaner made for use in kitchens. Scour out the sink and run the food disposer regularly to prevent build up of mold or bacteria in the drain. Keep the floor swept and mopped regularly. Make a habit of wiping down the area around cabinet knobs and drawer pulls to keep them free of greasy build-up or grimy fingerprints.

Don't forget the refrigerator! Go through the contents regularly and discard any spoiled leftovers, out-of-date dairy and meat products, and limp or spoiled vegetables and fruits, Clean the inside of the fridge with a diluted white vinegar solution to keep it sparkling and fresh smelling. Re-line the veggie bins every so often with a fresh layer of paper towels to help absorb moisture and make cleaning easier. Cut the top from a box of baking soda and place it in the back of a shelf to absorb odors. Your refrigerator will be a more appetizing and inspiring place when it is clean and fresh.

Organize:

Even when things are "clean", if they are cluttered it can still feel like a mess. Gather some large glass jars and paint all of the lids a matching color that complements your kitchen. Use these to store dry goods on open shelving or pantry shelves. Invest in a few plastic containers with flip-top lids to store dry cereal or small items such as pretzels or crackers. A set of matching baskets with washable muslin liners can be a great place to store an assortment of bagged chips, cookies, fruit snacks and granola bars. And a basket of this type would be the perfect landing place for the family keys, wallets, sunglasses, etc., that collect on the breakfast bar or the end of the kitchen table.

Warm it up:

Clean is one thing - sterile and lifeless is another. Bring in some color and texture to liven things up. A candle warmer with a juicy scent such as berry or pear feels inviting and homey. Include artwork or a pretty wreath to add a touch of charm. Hang cheerful curtains in the window and consider potted herbs in the windowsill or an edible flowering plant in the center of the table. If you have a banquette, add a couple of brightly colored pillows for comfort and visual appeal. Display a few collectibles on a shelf to bring in some personality.

Now your kitchen can be a place where you can keep the family fed, nourished, and nurtured