Search:

Amber’s Home and Office Organizing Blog index

Kitchen Question from a Reader

Question: I have a big problem with my messy kitchen. It has also become the place where I keep bags of merchandise to be returned to the store. I have tried to find a better place, but right now, they stay under the desk in my kitchen, where a chair would normally be. They look horrible. Do you have any suggestions for where I can store the bags? I have tried to keep them in hall closet, the garage, and in the trunk of the car. None of those seem to work. 

My Answer:

You might be surprised, but bags or boxes of items to return to stores or ship back to online stores is very common. I’ve even on occasion packed up boxes with the return items and taken them to the post office for my clients. Ideally, I’d suggest reducing buying items you’re not fully sold out on keeping. For me, I find that returning items is a huge time waster so when I shop I am extra careful to try clothes on, measure first instead of guessing, and researching options on the internet before shopping. I know there’s no perfect solution and returns are bound to happen, but I’d still encourage you to pause, look at your shopping cart, and consider putting any items back before leaving the store or before checking out online. 

Now to get on to the solution for the returns.... 

1. Have you considered measuring the space under the desk in the kitchen where the chair normally is positioned? After measuring the space, would a lidded basket or container suffice? This decorative carrying tote might work too. This would give you a place to hide items but in a pretty way. I don’t think I’d suggest moving your “return spot”. If you’re used to using the kitchen and that system works, don’t change the system.... just modify it. 

2. Although it may seem impossible to make kitchen cabinet lower space to old returns, I would still try. Here’s how. Take a glance at each item and pull out items that you use only once, twice or three times a year. This might include a turkey roaster, pasta maker, bread maker, icecream maker, a large stock pot, etc. Look to see if you have any doubles of anything. If that’s the case, take those out too. 

3. Lastly, a little while back around Christmas time, I wrote Running Errands  which explained how to get errands accomplished fast and efficiently. That blog post might help you list out the returns but keep the bags and boxes somewhere other than the kitchen without forgetting about them. 

 

 

*Screen Name:
Question or comment:
This is a private message or question
	* denotes required field