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Kitchen Space
Saving Tips |
If your kitchen is tiny, there are many
inexpensive things you can do to make more space. Consider
your needs first, then your wants.
You need a workspace to prepare food. To free up space on
the counter or table, utilize any wall space you have. Open
shelving is great for storing dishes and very inexpensive.
Hanging wire baskets will store fruits and vegetables. If
you have any open wall, make it into a floor to ceiling 12”
deep pantry with shelving and inexpensive closet doors. A
curtain will also work to hide the clutter An out of the way
closet makes a great pantry for bulk items or seldom used
kitchenware. Buy adjustable shelves and hang them right in
the closet.
An island is a great workspace, but if you don’t have room
to build one, buy a rolling kitchen cart. This will allow
you to keep it in the center of your kitchen, or roll it to
the side when you don’t need it. You can use this for food
prep or as a buffet table for entertaining. Many carts now
have pull out counters and racks for hanging needed items.
Hang pots and pans on a rack to save space. Two decorative
wall hangers with a heavy metal rack will work just fine,
but be sure your hangers are sturdy enough to support the
weight of the pots. When hanging from the wall or ceiling,
you must use the wall studs as support. Do not use nails,
they will eventually work free.
Under the sink storage can be utilized with inexpensive
stackable shelving. Hang a small towel rack on the door
under the sink for your dish towels. Wire shelves can be
screwed into the inside of your cabinet for cleaning items.
Stemware can be stored under your upper cupboards. You can
use simple wooden strips with a ½” spacer under the
cabinets. Space the strips 2” apart and slide the base of
the stemware into the strips so the glasses are hanging
upside down.
Any container can be used on your counter to store wooden
spoons, spatulas, etc. You can use anything from a pitcher
to a flower pot for this purpose. A coffee can painted or
wallpapered will work just as well.
Cluttered cabinets can be eliminated using step shelves.
This allows you to see every item without digging around.
You can buy a full circle Lazy Susan to utilize corner
space. They are available in most home stores.
A great space to display decorative items or kitchen items
that are seldom used is above a doorway. Install a shelf
over the doorway or across the entire wall.
Never underestimate the power of organization. Clear plastic
containers are stackable and allow you to see what’s inside.
These items can use every available space without waste. I
often use these containers without the covers in my drawers
to organize them.
Spices can take up a lot of room in your cupboards. I used
the space between the upper and lower cabinets to make a 4”
deep spice cabinet with 2 small shelves. I had a door made
to match my cabinets, but you could use a small flat piece
of wood the same as your cabinet wood and stain in to match.
It doesn’t take up much of my counter space, and the spices
are easy to find.
A built in bench with a cover is a great place to store
hats, mittens, and extra shoes. It can also be used for your
kitchen linens. Utilize corner spaces with built ins for
extra storage that won’t take up a lot of room, or go to
your department store and look for corner cabinets.
Most importantly, get rid of any items you don’t need. How
many Cool Whip containers do you actually need to store?
That large kettle you use once or twice a year can be put in
your closet and used to store something in it until you need
it. Go through your cupboards at least once a year for
expired items. If you’re saving that 5 year old box of
pancake mix for company, throw it out and buy fresh bagels
instead. You’ll thank me when you don’t have to do the
dishes. |
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