Weekend Project: Kitchen Cleanup

Your kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in your apartment, making it also one of the most likely to accumulate clutter and develop disorganization. Keeping your kitchen clean and organized will not only improve the look and of this space, it will also reduce the time and effort needed to prepare meals.

Tackle Your Countertops First

Your countertops are one of the first features you see when you walk into your kitchen. However, countertops are also one of the places where clutter and dust is most likely to accumulate. Clean countertops will enhance the look of your apartment’s kitchen and make this space feel even larger and more luxurious for a kitchen environment you’ll love to occupy. Quartz countertops are one of the easiest materials to clean—all you’ll need is a damp cloth to wipe away most dust and dirt, but mild dish soap and warm water can be used to address any stubborn stains. Once your countertops are clean, dry them with a second cloth to prevent water spots. Reducing the number of items you keep on your countertops will ensure that your kitchen always feels large, welcoming, and uncluttered. Pick two to three of the gadgets you use most frequently to set out, and keep any additional items stored inside your cabinets for a cleaner look. If you want to keep items such as utensils, cutting boards, and trivets handy, consider installing hooks to make use of your kitchen’s wall space and turn these necessities into a personalized display.

Organize Your Pantry and Cabinets for Convenience

Behind the doors of your pantry and cabinets, disorganization can easily take over. While your kitchen may look neat at first glance, overflowing or poorly-organized cabinets will increase the amount of time it takes to prepare meals and can even result in wasted food if you lose items in the back of your pantry and inadvertently let them expire. The best way to organize your pantry and cabinets is to remove everything and start from scratch. Before replacing any items, take some time to wipe down your shelves with a damp cloth to remove any dust or crumbs. For greater convenience, store pots, pans, and other bakeware near your stove and oven, and keep plates, glasses, and utensils near your meal preparation areas. Any dishes or glasses that are damaged should go into the trash, while lesser-used items such as party platters should be kept on upper shelves, leaving your lower and more accessible shelve open for everyday items. Placing cleaning supplies inside a bucket or caddy keeps these items together and contained so you’ll spend less time cleaning. As you replace food in your pantry, check each item’s expiration date; throw away all expired items, then replace foods with the longest shelf life at the back so you’ll pull out the items that expire first when cooking. Grouping like foods together in zones, such as spices, baking mixes, cereals, and snacks, will make it easier to find what you want when you open the pantry door.

Alta West End is pleased to offer luxury apartments in Houston, TX, with everything you need to enjoy a comfortable and modern lifestyle. Our apartment kitchens include quartz countertops, pendant lighting, custom cabinetry, and large under mount sinks to increase comfort and convenience every day. You can check out our full list of amenities or explore our one- and two-bedroom apartment floor plans on our website, where you’ll also find our online gallery and contact information.

Creating an Effective At-Home Workspace

Setting plays an important part in your ability to focus on a single task and see it through to completion. At-home workspaces can be large or small, but should always deliver exactly the tools you need to get the job done. Whether you routinely work from home or only need an at-home workspace occasionally, creating an effective home office in your apartment will provide the environment you need to foster creativity and focus.

Start with Your Desk

The centerpiece of any workspace is the desk, which makes this feature the foundation of your home office. Your desk will lay the groundwork for the look and feel of your home office space, regardless of whether your workspace is part of a larger room or located in a room of its own. Choose a desk that accommodates your needs—if you tend to do all your work via computer, a smaller desk may be appropriate, but a larger horizontal surface might be necessary if you need to spread papers or other items out as you work. The size of your desk should also fit the space available for the best aesthetic balance, as a desk that is too large or too small in the wrong place can affect the larger overall look of the room, especially if your workspace is part of a living room or bedroom layout.

Choose a Comfortable Chair

The idea of an at-home workspace is to create an area where you can focus in comfort. Seating plays a vital role in your ability to concentrate for extended periods of time, as an uncomfortable chair can lead to pain, stiffness, and fidgeting that interfere with your physical health and your mental focus. While it may be tempting to choose a chair based solely on appearance, make sure to test any chair you are considering before you buy it. There are several chair designs that marry comfort and style to allow you to make the visual statement you want in your workspace without compromising on healthy long-term posture.

Add Personality

While any at-home office should center around the tasks you need to complete, adding personality to this space can boost comfort and creativity for a more effective working environment. There are many ways to imbue your workspace with personality, including colorful office accessories, an appealing area rug, and motivational posters or photos. Although you should avoid cluttering your desk with too many accessories, one or two well-placed items can make the difference between an impersonal at-home office and a space that blends in with the personality and style of the rest of your apartment. Flowers and plants have been shown to increase workplace productivity; you can put this concept to work for you in your at-home office by adding a few simple flowers and houseplants to your desk or work area. Popular indoor plant species that require minimal care include orchids, bamboo, and succulents.

The Grand Estates at TPC has the luxury apartment living experience you’re after near San Antonio, TX. Our modern apartment community is located just north of beautiful downtown San Antonio, offering life against the breathtaking backdrop of Cibolo Canyons. You can take a peek at our long list of amenities or click through our apartment floor plans when you check us out online for a closer look at everything our apartments have to offer.