Mornings have a way of going wrong in the kitchen. The cereal is in one cupboard, the bowls are in another, and the spoons have vanished into a drawer on the far side of the room. Everyone is half awake, and someone always ends up hunting for something. A single breakfast corner, where everything you need lives together, can turn that scramble into a routine that almost runs itself.
Choose the right spot
The best place is near the table, or at least near the fridge and the kettle. Look for a stretch of worktop, a shelf or a low cupboard that can be dedicated to breakfast. If you have children, a low shelf is ideal, because they can reach it themselves. Before you start, clear the spot completely and wipe it down, so that you begin with a clean slate.
What goes in the corner
Gather the things the household uses every morning: bowls, mugs, spoons, cereal, oats, tea, coffee and the toaster. Put spreads and jams in a small basket or on a tray that you can lift straight onto the table. Keep the heavier items low and the light ones higher. If some things are only used at weekends, such as a waffle iron or special plates, store them elsewhere and keep the corner for daily use.
Give children a part in it
A shelf at child height with bowls, cups and a couple of cereal boxes lets little ones help themselves. They learn to set the table, and you get a few extra minutes. Decant cereal into tall containers with a lid, so that it stays in good condition and is easy to pour. ## Set it up the night before
If mornings are truly tight, lay out bowls and spoons the evening before. Put the tea bags or the coffee ready next to the kettle. This takes almost no time, and it makes the start of the day so much smoother. When breakfast is over, everything goes back to the corner, and the worktop is wiped down. A tidy corner is a small habit with a big effect on the rest of the day.
