Kitchen Capsule

​Have you heard of the capsule wardrobe? It’s a great concept that helps you minimize your closet by maximizing your outfits.   You get about 30 pieces and then you can mix and match to make about 200 outfits.  There are many services out there that create capsule wardrobes but I like the site – Classy Yet Trendy and of course there is Project 333, which I highly recommend. 
 
So why am I talking about a capsule wardrobe when the title of this blog is the Kitchen Capsule?   Because it occurred to me that you can apply the same concept of a capsule wardrobe to the kitchen.  And you should.   It will cut down on excessive items in your kitchen!  
 
I recently worked with a great friend who was cleaning out her kitchen.   She started pulling out her plates and we counted – 15!   Not to mention her fancy set for guests (10 more) and of course her Christmas dishes for the holiday (8 more).  This is a single lady who lives by herself in a small condo.  Why does she have 33 plates? 
 
Next we got into her wine glass collection and it was a collection…we lost count after 20.   They are all lovely and special, but when you have more than 20 wines glasses you might have a problem.
 
Why am I counting dishes and wine glasses – because I think you should have less.   My friend should have:
4 everyday plates
2 wine glasses
a set of silverware for 8.  
That’s it! 
 
In my house – a household of 4.  We have :
8 everyday plates
4 wine glasses (the kids don’t drink)
and a set of silverware for 12.
 
I’ll admit that I also have a set of fancy dishes that I registered for when I got married.  I bring them out on special occasions like Christmas or when my Mother In Law comes to town.   But my everyday kitchen cabinets are lean.   We don’t live in a tiny house where space is at a premium, but we do live in a world with too much.  Everywhere.  I do my best to minimize where I can.  
 
Now you’re probably thinking – Maria, what if I have company?  Good question.   I have 8 everyday plates so that means I can 4 more people over.   If there is more than that I bring out my fancy plates.  If there is more than that I order pizza. 
 
You can tweak these numbers for the number of people that live in your home – and use your kitchen – but the general numbers stay the same.  2 plates per person.   Dishwashers are amazing things and they really do conserve water better than hand washing.  I run mine every other day – to keep on top the dishes and make sure we always have plates available for dinner. 
 
I’d love to have this Blog open up some conversation about the Kitchen Capsule – how many plates and wine glasses do you have ?  How many do you think you need?  Can you do with less?  
 
I don’t want you to get rid of things just to get rid of them.  I love sentimental items and want you to keep things that spark joy for you.   But having less actually helps you celebrate the things that are special to you.  You can display the sets of dishes that are really special to you – say your Grandmother’s Thanksgiving dishes – knowing that you have less over all. 
 
The Kitchen Capsule is just an idea to get you started.   I love the idea of the Capsule wardrobe but I legit have too many clothes that I love to whittle down to 30 pieces.  So let’s get started!  What can you release from your kitchen today? 
 
Contact Bliss This House to set up one on one coaching or in service organizing.  We’re here to help!    Please leave a comment – I’d love to hear your thoughts.