Interior designer Natalie Jahangiri is one of Ideal Home’s new Open House contributors, sharing her ideas on decorating a home that fits a busy family life while still sticking to your aesthetic values. Check out the rest of his articles here.
Have you ever seen Sort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon? Because it is exactly How I felt when the entire contents of my kitchen/dining/kids play area was suddenly laid out in front of me, what felt like hundreds of boxes of pre-renovation life as I unpacked.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I am a very organized person by nature. Back when I lived alone in my first flat, friends would laugh at my strict “everything has a place” system, including, of course, the labels on everything. Oh, how times have changed. Children will do this to you.
And while I wouldn’t change it for the world, I still crave that sense of order, especially when I have three people constantly asking, “Where is this?”… yes Tom, that includes you!
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
The thing is, I decluttered before the renovation. But what I easily forgot was:
- Every millimeter of the old kitchen was filled like a game of Tetris
- I love Stuff… especially kitchen trinkets. Glassware, dinnerware, candlesticks, cocktail bits, hosting pieces, you name it, I probably own it (and want it on display).
- There was also a whole extra stash of “bits” living in the garden office
- This time, I really want to find things easily. No more dodging a waterfall of chopping boards just to get to the blender!
- And let’s not forget the chaos of kids’ toys, crafts, makeup and endless paper creations thrown into the mix.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Even though we doubled our storage and built in a dedicated area for the kids, I knew I needed help… and not from hubby this time. So I called in reinforcements… Hello Dunelm.
After crying out for help to make it Dilly Carter Level Transformation, the amazing Charlotte from the Dunelm team came up with a dream setup of organizers, boxes, dividers, jars, drawer inserts. Honestly, it felt like Christmas came early!
For me, it’s not enough to have a kitchen that looks beautiful on the outside, I want it to feel just as satisfying on the inside. And let’s not forget the new vaulted pantry… she needed some TLC too.
Label Maker is ready… Let’s hang.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
My favorite kitchen planning pieces
Inspired by my vision of an American style dream pantry, what I found made my life stand out in my new kitchen/dining space.
Edited Jeevan 8 Compartment Wooden Drawer Organizer
I Used this in several drawers, and they have been especially helpful for organizing my spice drawer and tea collection. Small compartments work brilliantly, they really help break up large drawers into clearly defined, easy to use spaces.
Set of 4 Oxo Softworks Pop Mini
And speaking of the spice drawer, it has become one of my favorite places in the kitchen. What was a bit of a chaotic mess is now neatly organized, making it much easier to find what I want. Airtight lids also keep everything fresh, which makes a real difference. I would highly recommend these delightful little pots!
Oh man, I have them all. big, small, small, Ribbedsimple, smoking… I have been collecting them for years. There’s something so satisfying about a good jar, and it makes storing everything so much easier. And don’t even get me started on labels, I love a label. So, Dunelm kindly sent me more jars (yes, more!) to help organize my dry pantry staples.
Stackable rectangular storage container
I don’t know why these look more satisfying than your typical cereal container, but with their sharp edges and clean shape, they look more sophisticated. Plus, they stack nicely, which is a game changer. The perfect solution for organizing my pantry cupboard snack offerings.
I honestly couldn’t have organized the kids’ closets of all shapes and sizes without these boxes. The bright colors really attract children, and the variety of sizes makes stacking and organizing all their bits and bobs an absolute dream. I love them!
For larger items in kids’ closets, this works perfectly. They divide the space nicely, making it much easier for them to find what they are looking for. They are also really well designed, so every time you open the cupboard doors it looks great.
And just like that, what once seemed like complete chaos now seems calm, considered, and (dare I say) actually enjoyable to use every single day. It’s proof that with the right systems, a busy family kitchen can look really good And Do the nice job too.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Now when someone asks, “Where is it?”… there’s a very good chance I actually know the answer. And honestly? That sounds like a total win.
