Because everyone comes through the kitchen at least once a day, it is a great place to maintain centralized information for the family. I know this is a nonfood, non-eating item, but because the kitchen is in the center of the home it's a great place to keep home-base information.

• Put up a bulletin board to post notices or messages for family members.
• Post a list of important contact phone numbers (include numbers for everyone's cell, office, school, and doctor).
• Put up a calendar that lists events, travel, holidays and birthdays, so everyone knows what is happening with the family and when.
• Put up mail slots or baskets for each family member so they can get their mail. Let them know mail that is not retrieved in a timely fashion will go into the recycling bin.
• Have hooks for keys.

The Junk Drawer

Lot's of kitchens have a "catch-all drawer that is often referred to as the junk drawer. It can be hold anything from soy sauce packets to rubber bands, pennies, matches, pushpins and stray refrigerator magnets. I'm only going to say this once: NO. JUNK. DRAWER.

Product Manuals & Warranties

Create a file, binder or magazine file to store all printed information for your household products. Check online for the electronic version of your product manuals and warranties and create a Springpad notebook to store them all so you can ditch the hard copy. Alternatively, just snap a picture or jot down a note (digital or analog) of the important information you'll need if you talk to customer service, like model number or serial number.