You’ve probably never loved your fridge as much as the first day you had it — when it was empty and perfectly clean. Even then you probably didn’t love it as much as the ones in commercial photos.
But you can. Or almost as much. That’s the thing to know first. You have have a refrigerator that when you open it looks like a doorway to paradise, with angels singing “Ahhhhhhhhh.” Maybe not every day of every week, but most of the time. If not perfect, close to perfect. You can have this bright, resplendent think in your kitchen, just like the people in magazines and movies do.
The top four things to burn into your mind:
- You can do it
- You’ll love it as much as you think you will
- It’s not hard
- The secret is to be a copycat
What does it mean to be a copycat? It means you don’t have to figure this out for yourself. Just imitate what every refrigerator photographer does. There are four rules for having beautiful fridge, and all photographers of fridges know it. The rules are right there in any of the photos.
- Minimal stuff
- Neat stuff
- Pretty stuff
- Clean stuff
Not rocket science, but doesn’t it help to see it spelled out? Four things. Nail them and you’re there.
As usual, I recommend starting with anything that makes a big difference fast. Don’t worry about doing this perfectly. Just start taking steps. What are some of the first steps I would take? Take your pick form any of these and go at it.
Get rid of some big stuff — Anything that’s taking a lot of space is a candidate. That liter bottle with a splash of beverage still in it. That cooking pan with a dab of leftovers. That Bria water-filter pitcher you never drink from.
Get rid of the mystery — Condiments, sauces, dressings, leftover Chinese, that cheese you only had one slice of back whenever that was: anything you would hesitate to eat right now (or the next time you’re hungry), out with it. It won’t get better with time.
[To be finished]
I’m a lazy slob, and I’ve done it. My fridge is a joy to me at least half the time. Even at its worst, it’s nice. I went at least 30 years with a messy, unappetizing, squalid refrigerator. If I can put that behind me, anyone can.