Step into any great gathering, and you’ll quickly notice that the heartbeat of the party isn’t in the living room or even on the back porch, it’s in the kitchen. For Kim Burge, owner of Bee Organized Nashville, that’s exactly where the magic begins.
“A well-organized kitchen is the heart of the home,” Kim explains. “When everything has its place, hosting loved ones feels effortless, joyful, and stress-free.”
Her approach to kitchen organization is more than lining up bins and sorting utensils. At Bee Organized, she and her team work to create a balance between functionality and warmth, ensuring the space works both for everyday life and the special moments when family and friends gather.
Kim begins every project with sorting and purging, whittling down items to what truly belongs in the space. From there, she builds customizable systems where everything has a purpose. The result? A kitchen that makes both meal prep and entertaining smoother. “The goal isn’t just efficiency,” she says, “it’s creating a foundation for life’s memories.”
Her philosophy stems from her role as what she calls a “Memory Keeper.” For Kim, objects often carry the stories of late-night snacks, recipes passed down, or holiday meals shared. “Our kitchens are where life unfolds. By organizing them thoughtfully, you can focus less on stress and more on the moments that matter.”
Because no two households-or hosts-are alike, Kim and her team customize every layout. “If a system doesn’t fit your lifestyle, it won’t last,” she notes. That’s why she spends time understanding a client’s rhythms. Do they host casual pizza nights, elaborate dinners, or coffee with neighbors? Every detail informs how zones and systems are designed.
Her Favorite Hacks for Hosting Ease
A few tried-and-true tools that instantly reduce chaos:
- Clear bins and drawer dividers: Categories are visible at a glance, making tools easy to grab.
- Zone-based layouts: Grouping items into Prep, Cook, Coffee/Tea, and Serving stations ensures guests flow through the kitchen naturally, without crowding the cook.
- Dedicated hosting area: A bin or cabinet with candles, linens, serving pieces, and a lighter means set-up takes minutes instead of hours.
As Kim puts it: “When items are visible, it’s easier to take inventory. Store things at the store, keep only what you’ll actually use.”
Organizing isn’t only physical. It’s also emotional. “We know that clutter can be tied to memories and that letting go can bring up emotions,” Burge says. That’s why she and her team approach every project with compassion, confidentiality, and zero judgment.
The transformation can be profound. “The beginning and middle of a kitchen organizing job can be overwhelming,” she admits. “But when a client sees the space come together, especially during a move, it symbolizes a fresh start and a lifetime of new memories.”
Kim encourages broad labeling categories so systems adapt as life changes. She also recommends grouping and containing items throughout the kitchen so that even guests know where things belong. “If your mother-in-law wants to put away groceries or a friend helps with leftovers, the space is set up to make those moments easy and enjoyable.”
For Kim, the true reward is seeing clients experience not just a tidy space but also a shift in energy. A thoughtfully arranged kitchen doesn’t just reduce clutter, it creates room for connection, laughter, and harmony.