Kitchen Environment Reset Guide

Simple ways to make your kitchen support your health, routines, and daily life

Your kitchen doesn’t need to be perfect - it just needs to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Small shifts in how things are organized can reduce friction, lower decision fatigue, and make everyday routines feel smoother.

Use the ideas below as inspiration. Take what’s helpful and ignore the rest.

FRUIT BOWL ON THE COUNTER

A simple but powerful habit cue is keeping a bowl of fresh fruit visible on the counter.

Why it helps:
• Increases likelihood of grabbing fruit as a snack
• Adds color and warmth to the kitchen
• Creates a visual reminder to nourish yourself

Tip: Keep it washed and ready to eat.

Crate & Barrel Acacia Footed Fruit Bowl (warm wood — classic + cozy)
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/carson-acacia-footed-fruit-bowl/s146354

Speckled Ceramic Bowl (soft, neutral, modern — budget friendly)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Beautiful-12-Round-Speckled-Cream-Ceramic-Bowl-by-Drew-Barrymore/9682852612

Distressed Ceramic Bowl (rustic, relaxed vibe)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-9-75-Ceramic-Low-Stone-Bowl-Taupe/5305297513

Wood + Marble Footed Fruit Bowl (elevated but simple)
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/wood-and-marble-footed-fruit-bowl/s144696

COFFEE OR BEVERAGE STATION

Consider creating a dedicated area for coffee, tea, or morning drinks.

You might include:
• Mugs
• Coffee or tea supplies
• Sweeteners
• Protein powder or morning supplements
• Shaker bottles or electrolytes

Having everything together creates an easy morning flow.

HEALTHY CONVENIENCE + VISIBILITY

Make the foods you want to eat most the easiest to see and grab - whether in fridge or cupboards/pantry.

Ideas:
• Keep grab-and-go proteins front and center
• Make healthy snacks visible
• Store prepped foods at eye level

Environment shapes behavior - visibility matters.

FRIDGE FLOW + “LUNCH DRAWER”

Create a dedicated “lunch drawer” or shelf for ready-to-go foods.

This might include:
• Prepped proteins
• Cut fruit or vegetables
• Yogurt or snack packs
• Individual containers
• Leftover portions ready for lunches

This reduces decision fatigue and makes busy mornings easier.

You may also consider:
• A leftovers zone
• A prep shelf
• Easy access to proteins

HYDRATION STATION

Keep water bottles, shaker bottles, and drink mixes easy to see and reach.

When hydration tools are visible, you’re more likely to use them.

Options for organizing water bottles:

Bamboo Water Bottle Organizer (SpaceAid / Target listing)
https://www.target.com/p/baby-bottle-drying-rack-with-20-hooks-space-saving-vertical-bottle-holder-organizer-for-countertop-spaceaid/-/A-1007377082

Clear Stackable Bottle Organizer (Container Store)
https://www.containerstore.com/s/kitchen/pantry-organizers/shelf-organization/everything-organizer-collection-stackable-bottle-organizer/123d

Bamboo Bottle Organizer (Walmart)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/BHG-BAM-BTL-ORG/11695107177

COOKING FLOW + CLEAN-AS-YOU-GO SETUP

Small details that reduce friction:
• Dish soap and towels within reach
• Trash or compost easy to access
• Tools stored near where they’re used

When cooking feels easy, you’re more likely to do it.

SMALL APPLIANCE STRATEGY

Decide what stays out and what gets stored.

Daily use appliances deserve easy access. Occasional tools can live farther away to keep counters calm.

For example, I keep minimal appliances out - coffee maker, olive oil container, salt & pepper, but otherwise…everything else has an “away” so I can cut down on clutter.

CABINETS - MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU

If cabinets feel like deep boxes where things get lost, consider adding pull-out drawers or sliding shelves so everything is visible and reachable.

My favorite cabinet organization hacks:
Vertical Spice pull-out organizers:
https://verticalspice.com/

IKEA drawer organizers and pull-outs:
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/kitchen-drawer-organizers-24257/

LANDING ZONES

Identify where things naturally land - groceries, mail, bags, water bottles - and create intentional spots to prevent clutter buildup.

Options for organizing the loose items (keys, sunglasses, etc):

Marble Catchall Tray (Target)
https://www.target.com/p/marble-catchall-tray-threshold-8482-designed-with-studio-mcgee/-/A-94685940

Acacia Wood Tray Organizer (Walmart)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-Acacia-Wood-Tray-Organizer-Walnut/5220248587

Bamboo Charging Station Organizer (Target)
https://www.target.com/p/modern-innovations-bamboo-charging-station-stand-for-multiple-devices-natural/-/A-1008698024

Natural Woven Tray (Crate & Barrel)
https://www.crateandbarrel.com/scallop-natural-woven-fiber-small-tray/s396808

Options for organizing mail etc: