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You’ve seen some pretty dramatic 'before and after' photos from me in previous newsletters (archives here). This month, the photos are less dramatic, but the impact of the changes from 'before' to 'after' is just as significant.
My clients and I had a similar focus in each of these kitchens -- to create open counter space and establish storage systems that would help maintain that open space.
Open countertops aren’t just about looking good! An open counter:
1- Contributes to greater functionality. Clearly, it’s easier to cook, bake, eat meals, and clean up when there’s plenty of work space.
2- Strengthens visual cues. Especially for ADHD brains, visual reminders really ‘pop’ when they are on an otherwise empty countertop instead of getting lost in visual clutter.
For example, if a client wants visual cues to remind her to drink more water, use up fresh produce, and remember to take meds -- a water pitcher, fruit bowl, and pill organizer will be visible on a clean countertop versus blending in with dozens of other items on a crowded counter.
3- Creates a calm aesthetic. After we store most of the utilitarian items (dishes, food, kitchen tools) out of sight in cupboards and drawers, then the items that remain become the visual focus, such as a piece of art, vase of flowers, or sleek espresso machine.
In the photos below, you can see these three outcomes. Each kitchen took one 4-hour organizing session.
We followed my standard approach: the client and I worked our way through each drawer, cupboard, and shelf to clean out, declutter, and sort by category. This creates space to store extra items previously cluttering the countertops.
Finally, we chose a few items for the countertops with an eye toward the three core elements of functionality, visual cueing, and calm aesthetics.
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