The Organized Kitchen a Book Giveaway
Who doesn’t strive to be more organized?
In a small space, it is essential or I would drive myself crazy. That’s why I was so excited when Brette Sember announced she was writing a book on kitchen organization.
“The Organized Kitchen: Keep your Kitchen Clean, Organized, and Full of Good Food – and Save Time, Money (and your Sanity) Every day!” is now available.
You might remember that Brette also wrote “The Parchment Paper Cookbook,” which has all kinds of yummy recipes that can be cooked in parchment paper. A great book, especially for those of us who don’t have a dishwasher but still would like to have a nice meal after a long day without all of the clean-up.
“The Organized Kitchen” combines all of Brette’s kitchen wisdom, organization talents and even some good recipes to one book.
The book covers everything from the must-have utensils for a kitchen to how to store them and display them in the space you have to work with. She also writes about stocking your kitchen and working with storage space in your pantry.
“A familiar slapstick scene played out in kitchens far and wide is opening a cabinet door and being showered with plastic storage tubs and lids,” Brette writes.
I had that happen plenty of times in our house in the city, where I had plenty of storage space. The only reason it doesn’t happen at Our Little House is because we’ve replaced all of our plastics with glass, which doesn’t contain BPA, is more environmentally friendly and made in the U.S.
Replacing your plastics is just one of the tips Brette gives in “The Organized Kitchen” to keep you from wearing your plastic containers when you open your cabinets. She gives other pointers as well.
I haven’t read the entire book yet, I just received my copy this week, but I’m already half way through it and bookmarking tips that will help my kitchen be a more organized and useful space.
If you received book gift cards or Amazon gift cards for the holidays, you should put this one on your list, especially if you’re reorganizing those cabinets and pantry in the New Year. This would also make a great gift for that son or daughter who is getting their first apartment or wedding gift. Or, just buy this one as a gift for yourself!
The publisher has generously agreed to send one copy of “The Organized Kitchen” to one Living Large reader.
Please read the rules carefully:
Simply comment on this post between now and noon U.S. CST on Tuesday, January 3. Tell us your plans on reorganizing your kitchen and how the book may help. You MUST comment on this post and you MUST leave an email address where I can reach you should you win. I will randomly draw a winner and contact you directly. If you do not leave an email address where I can reach you, I will draw another winner. The winner will be announced on the blog next Thursday, January 5.
Good luck!
(FTC disclosure: I was provided one review copy of “The Organized Kitchen,” but have not been paid to promote this product.)
Organization….that is my one and only New Year’s resolution…no time limit other than 2012 and before insanity strikes! My house was gutted by a fire and is still in the process after 4 years of being completely redone. Everything is new but all the “homes” for things were gone. Now I find it is a never ending process. But….one closet down and omg a world of stuff yet to do. Happy New Year everyone, wish me luck!
I like your timeline: “Before insanity strikes!” Good luck!
I would love this book, as I could use all the help I can get with organization. Currently my cupboards ar so out of sorts and unorganized from my holiday baking and shopping that I have run out of room and things are stacked on my counters!
I affectionately refer to my kitchen as one of split personalities because the previous owners started a remodeling project, did exactly half of the room, and then quit. Shortly after they divorced and sold the house, but I have never been able to afford a full remodel. So half the kitchen is original to the farmhouse with the old sink, countertops and cupboards. The other side is new cupboards, new counters, new sink, etc. We did some minor work to fix things like taking down the old backsplash, matching the baseboards and a few other cosmetic improvements, but that is all so far.
But because of this, organization in my kitchen is difficult! I have already been making the switch from plastic to glass and I love it. Glass jars are so much prettier, aren’t they? lol
I had some stuff on the counters right after Christmas too, Katherine. We’ve now eaten our way into our cabinets again! 😉 I love glass containers. Good luck!
We live in a tiny old house so organization is constant & crucial. Always looking for good ideas!
Good luck, Thaniel!
My kitchen may be beyond redemption. I have cake pans stored in plastic bins in the garage, the laundry room……Other things stored in my office….It’s crazy!
This book just may be your kitchen’s salvation, Rhonda! Good luck!
I’m always looking for ways to improve my cabinet and pantry organization. It feels like I could be doing something different that would make more sense, I just don’t know what that is!
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Thanks for entering, Britni! Good luck!
I live in a rental with a small kitchen and have purged a lot of needless things in my life over the last three years (an ongoing endeavor heheh). There are so many tools and gadgets made for kitchen work, it would be nice to get another’s view on how to better organize what I have as well as what are the must-have items I shouldn’t try to get rid of.
It is a never ending to-do list, isn’t it!? Good luck on the drawing!
Oh, how our tiny kitchen needs organizational help! We’re constantly having to shift things around and conduct major hunts for kitchen items within our disorganized cabinets (of which there are few).
This sounds like a good book for you, Kelly. Good luck!
We just moved into this house in Oct. Although the kitchen is rather small, it has a ton of cabinet space. I am not utilizing it to its potential. I really need some good ideas on ways to use this space. Maybe even for more then kitchen storage?? I am learning so much from all of the pages and blogs Ive found through Facebook. Thanks 🙂
This book has MANY tips, Violet, and not just for storage. Good luck!
I live in an old country house, before things like pantries were included in floor design. I need to incorporate some good organizational techniques to make life simpler.
I don’t have an older house, but no pantry here either, Amanda. Good luck!
I have had years to accumulate so much, especially in the kitchen with multi-cookbooks and recipes, different baking pans and utensils, more dishes than I will ever use. This book, The Organized Kitchen, is a NEED and a WANT. So after 47 years of marriage, and just the two of us now living in a smaller space, this book will be a blessing to me. After all, being organized can make you happy!
Organized in a small space is a recipe for happiness, Audrey. Good luck!
Help! I need this book!
Good luck, Julia!
We are building a very small house that will be very energy efficient. The kitchen will be about 1/3 less than I was used to in my other pretty small house! I could use some tips for organizing in a small kitchen.
Good luck with your build, Denise, and with the drawing!
Economics and employment have forced us from our 1600 sqft home in the Texas hill country to another town and one bedroom apartment, complete with three dogs. Yeah, more info to use the space better would be welcome.
Economics have hit many of us, Brian. Good luck in your new apartment and with the drawing!
This book is a definite read for me. We’ll be moving to our 900 sqft cabin later in 2012, and I know everything in our existing kitchen won’t fit. (And yes, I have experienced the cascading plastic phenomenon!) I can use all the ideas I can get. If I don’t win the book, it’s a definite read on the Kindle.
Kerri – Do you need an additional email address beyond what we type in our reply form?
Kindle is great, isn’t it, Sheryl? You’ll appreciate it even more after your move! I have your address embedded, thanks.
I am not entering the contest because I know Brette (and interviewed her on my blog, too!) but I just want to say that these sounds like a terrific resource – I’m glad to know about it!
Thanks for stopping by, Merr!
i recently moved from an 800 square foot apartment to a 300 square foot casita. my kitchen consists of an office-sized fridge, a microwave, and two shelves for dishes and supplies. while i do have access to a larger kitchen i would love to find a way to make most of my meals in the casita (especially since it’s my first winter living somewhere that gets snow). i will say, i had no idea how wonderful and liberating small space living could be. love it!
Welcome to tiny house living and good luck, Lauren!
I have multiple sclerosis and need to organize my kitchen as my disease progreses the fatigue is terrible. This would be a blessing to win. As well I would love to learn more and share with other MSers to help them in life too! xoxo Blessings. email above.
I am moving to a smaller house due to my disease and need help in organizing what to toss and what to keep as well.
Good luck with your move and all you’re dealing with, Marianne.
Boy do I need this book! I have had to completely relearn to cook due to severe allergies. As such, my kitchen has been turned upside down as I learn to can, make sausage, learn gluten free cooking, and much, much more all while trying to work full time! I have had to add many new cooking items/utensils/flours/cook books, etc. We have even had to add more pantry storage in the hallway outside our kitchen to house the canned goods I’ve made. This would tremendously help in figuring out how to best utilize the space actually IN our kitchen! LOL!
Good luck, Renee. So many people have food allergies it seems.
I need this book. As a new mom of a one year old and another on the way. I want to make my new home’s kitchen as efficient as possible. Sounds like a great book to lend all my family and friends too!
I’m sure your friends and family would love it too, Amber, but once you get this, I think you’ll want to hang on to it! 🙂 Good luck on the drawing!
Would love to win this. We have a decent-sized kitchen but also a large family and cook most every meal from scratch. So, I’ve got some good equipment and am not sure I’m maximizing my space. Thanks for the opportunity!
Good luck, Cathy!
From the plastic containers popping out every time I open a cupboard, to wondering where to put the new mixing bowls I got for Christmas – I need help!
My kitchen is jammed packed and I just don’t know what to do about it!
I wish I did have a plan – but I don’t even know where to begin.
Sounds like you really need this book, Sarah. Good luck on the drawing!
I have a really large kitchen, but still have it full. I plan to go through and give away some of the duplicates I have as well as take items I do not ever use.
Good idea, Dee. I need to do the same.
We began with a small kitchen a dozen years ago. While it was passable then, it’s very much in need of an overhaul now that we have 2 kids and a very busy schedule. We know we need to create a more efficient kitchen space, but have been put off somewhat in not knowing where to start.
Our homes tend to get like that, Nelson, particularly with the addition of little ones. Good luck on the book!
Oh, this book is right down my alley. My dream is to get a tiny house built…like the tumble weed type. First step though is to get rid of the chaos within my current little home. Also, I live alone, so cooking in parchment sounds like a quick clean up way to cook for one! My email: boris@metrocast.net
Deirdre, the parchment paper book would be great for you. I suggest you check it out. Good luck on this drawing!
I live in a busy, busy home. All of us cook and every time one of my family members are in our kitchen cooking, I feel so unorganized, when they are unable to find this or that. Grrrrrrr…I need help getting this kitchen organized!!
I know how you feel, Carla. There’s only 2 people using our kitchen and we have the same problem.
I need help learning what I should part with and what I should keep. My kitchen is running over. I would really appreciate a copy of the book. Happy New Years!!
mschwarberg@rocketmail.com
Happy New Year to you as well, Melissa!
Hi I have moved in with my lovely partner – combining two kitchens into one !!! So much “stuff’ Given some to son. I’m sure I would get some tips from the book !!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on your new life with your partner, Kim!
I have no pantry in my kitchen and storing my canning jars and what I’ve canned is proving to be difficult. I also have trouble with tupperware. if I won the book, I’d use it to help better organize my small kitchen space to meet our needs and keep our countertops from looking so cluttered.
It does address how to store your plastics, Jolene. Good luck!
We buy a lot of bulk items and storage is always an issue. Then there are: the jars, and the appliances, and the cookware… This book sounds like the answer to help make it all accessible. 🙂
It will give you a lot of ideas, Davie!
We have a small kitchen and I struggle with organizing my empty canning jars, lids, etc. I know this book will help me organize not just these items but the remainder of my cabinets as well!
annetteATlannieeDotCom
Yes, it will, Annette!
Would love to have the book. Need to purge my kitchen cabinets big time.
Good luck, Susan!
Kerri- This sounds like a fantastic read! We’ve made some progress in creating storage in our small hundred year old kitchen by building a corner pantry. I’m curious about the author’s recommendations on storing small appliances though. Currently my lower cabinet is serving as an appliance garage but doesn’t hold larger ones like my portable roaster oven, dehydrator, and bread machine. Those are stashed in the bathroom closet.
I think there are some ideas in there that could help with that, Lisa!
My kitchen is always a disorganized mess. I need help! Plus, once I use the book to help me, I will offer it up to our sustainability lending library at work so that someone else can benefit!
That’s a great idea, Andrew! Good luck!
I’m currently downsizing and organizing to accomodate my disabilities. I’ve made some progress but now ideas are always welcome. I live in a small mobile so organizing in a small space is challenging.
It is challenging, but it’s all about only having what we need. Good luck to you!
This is great! I’m currently trying to downsize because I want to build a tiny house in the next year or so. I’m totally a kitchen hoarder of gadgets and anything else kitchen-related to try and make my life easier because I love to cook. Of course the end result is it usually ends up making my life more cluttered.
Good luck, Kelly, with your tiny house dream!
This sounds like a must-have book – I certainly need it for MY kitchen, which is always in need of an organization “fix.”
It is a great book, Sheryl. I think every kitchen should have it right next to the recipe books!
I am trying to figure out how to put pans away in old big cupboards that do not have shelves. Personally, I can stack them nicely but the ones that put the dishes away don’t seem to have this concept.
There are lots of suggestions in this book, Valerie. Good luck!
I have one corner cupboard in my kitchen that is a nightmare. Technically lots of space as it’s so deep but it’s turned into the junk place, with everything just mushed together in there. I need to figure out how to use that space to best advantage!
I had one of those cabinets in our house in the city. It is easy to just push stuff back there. I had stuff in there I know I hadn’t seen since we moved in 17 years prior!
We’re working now on building our tiny house and self sustaining farm and this would be a huge help! I’m already trying to make most things from scratch but I need help organizing everything and I plan to try canning next year!
Good luck on your build, Jennifer!
I want to have a Tiny House”, I am currently practicing the downsizing part of my journey. When the opportunity arrives, I will be ready to go! This book will help me follow my dream. My fingers are crossed!!!
Good luck, Kathleen! There’s lots of pointers in the archives of the blog that might help!
I’m on a seemingly never-ending effort to streamline my two-bedroom apartment (which doubles as my workplace) into an organized, peaceful space. Organizing my kitchen may (perhaps!) mean I could actually use it for something other than storage!
I know how you feel, Carol. Before we built the studio, I was also working in Our Little House. Good luck with your reorganizing!
A friend shared your FB post and I’m so happy to start exploring your site. I am looking to de-clutter our home for many reasons. Organized spaces work better and create a more peaceful place for the family. I plan on donating items to my local Snowline (profits from sells go to cancer research). There is no better place to start then the kitchen. It is the center of my home where kids do homeowork, friends chat over coffee and many of meals are prepared. I would love to dive into this book and start 2012 anew. Thank you for the oppertunitly. -jennie
Welcome to Living Large, Jennie! So happy you found our community and good luck on the book drawing!
I just moved into a condo with a much smaller kitchen than my 121-year-old house. My biggest problem is finding accessible space for pots and pans and bakeware. The corner cupboards have space but it’s almost impossible to get to and installing lazy susans doesn’t seem to be an option. I also have some challenges with food storage because I don’t have a pantry.
This book may give you some helpful pointers, Dixie, good luck!
What address do we need to enter into our “contact” list at our email, so if we win, your notification email will not go into our spam or trash??
fivecoat @ ozarkmountains.com
I had to downsize ten years ago when we moved to a townhouse, but I’m suffering from “stuff creep” and need to get it under control. (You should see where I keep the parchment paper — now an essential since the Parchment Paper Cookbook came out!)
Ah, do tell, Vera! 😉
I am in overwhelm. I am trying to sort, pare down and simplify. –get rid of and give away. And ORGANIZE. I never learned much about cooking or orgazinzing a kitchen or what tools to have–as from birth until fairly recently, for one reason or another, I was always packing and moving, packing and moving, and lived most of my life as if we were camping out. I am now 70 yo, settling in, living alone, and want to create a pleasant, functional, comfortable, and more stress-free environment–one I can share with others, who will also feel comfortable in my home. This book sounds exactly the help I need for the kitchen. Thank you for the opportunity to win it.
It’s a great book, Brenda, good luck!
We will be relocating to a much smaller home this coming Spring, and am in the process of either re- purposing some items, finding homes for some and donating the rest. Limiting the amount and deciding what is essential, the two biggest obstacles in getting this important job done. This book would be an awesome guide and incentive. Really enjoy your blog.
You’re welcome, Monica!
I too have moved. The home we moved from was my Grandmother’s (20+ yrs), then my parents lived there for 6 years, my kids and I for 5 yrs. We downsized, so have lots of Kitchen items with sentimental value and usefulness. Needing help in getting everything organized, and getting rid of the things that aren’t useful. Thanks so much on your writings and encouragement on “living small”.
Thanks, Katrina. Good luck in your new home!
My mess of a kitchen could defiantly stand the help I would get from this book.
I need your email address, Lusanne. Thanks!
moved from a house to a small apartment, very small kitchen. I have pans, bowls and baking pans still in boxes in a closet. This book would be awesome as far as getting ideas for being able to actually use my pans and such instead of having to dig them out every time I need them.
Maria, Sounds like you could use the pointers in the book to help. I’ve got you in the drawing as your email is embedded in your comment. Please, everyone, remember to leave your email address in case you win. If I cannot contact you by email, I will have to draw another winner!