Kitchen Essential

Kitchen Storage Behind Closed Doors

Cupboard storage ideas are only as limited as your imagination.

• Glass doors can often be incorporated into cupboard design — these are generally at eye level to show off colour-coordinated china and glassware.
• Plastic-coated wire baskets are popular for storing numerous items from pots to vegetables.
• A tea-towel rack may be useful in a small narrow space.
• Storage units under the sink are useful for dishcloths, detergents, brushes and scourers. These units can be small baskets or swing-out compartments.
• Many kitchen designs now incorporate a fridge or a dishwasher behind a cupboard door — uniformity can easily be achieved with this clever design idea. When planning kitchen cupboard storage, consider items that are in constant use, those used from time to time and items that can be relegated to top cupboards or difficult corners. Make sure all your cupboards open in the most convenient way.

Kitchen Storage Drawing the line

Deep pan drawers are specially designed to hold saucepans, colanders and sieves, making them easily accessible. Very wide deep drawers can be useful for plastic containers. Shallow drawers are handy for cutlery and rolls of plastic wrap, aluminium foil and paper. Moulded plastic trays can assist with storing cutlery. Consider whether or not you require the space to store tea towels, tablecloths and napkins in the kitchen. Very small drawers can be used to store spices, balls of string, matches and piping tubes or other small items. Positioning drawers near the cooktop (hob) is often sensible for storing those indispensable items that you may need close at hand: thermometers, spatulas, ladles, tongs, timers, brushes, skewers, string and pot holders.

All drawers should run smoothly on runners.

Kitchen Storage Just hanging around

It is surprising what can be stored in overhead space if you are lacking floor or cupboard space. Plastic- coated or plated wire racks hung from the ceiling or the wall are useful for storage and display of pots and skillets. These should be hung within reach but above head height. A stainless steel wall rack can house cooking utensils and bottles of frequently used spices, oils and vinegars.

Generally this is situated near the cooktop (hob).

Place hooks on the underside of shelves to hang cups, or hang a spice rack wherever it is most convenient. Tie up bunches of herbs and hang them from a shelf or curtain rail. A suspended plate rack is a solution for drainage and display. Decorative plates can be attractive when hung on a bare wall. Using a little imagination you can achieve very practical and attractive solutions.

Kitchen Storage Cost and practicality

Open shelving is one solution to low-cost storage. This need not lack style. Inexpensive glass jars containing ingredients can be very attractive in line. Colour-coordinate your plates and glassware, and use shelving to display much loved items. Keep cookery books where they will be used. Anything that you may want to hide away can be curtained off or placed in inexpensive plastic tubs fixed on runners (colour-coordinated of course!).

• A noticeboard is helpful to leave messages on and keep favourite recipes at hand.
• A magnetic strip can be attached quite simply to the wall near the cooktop (hob) for safe storage of knives.

Kitchen Storage Storing Small Appliances

How many times do you think about baking a cake or preparing fresh fruit juice, but the thought of rummaging in the back of a top cupboard and lifting a heavy appliance down is enough to make you change your mind?

• A sensible idea to consider, if space permits, is an appliance cupboard. This is generally a narrow cupboard situated above the worktop, allowing you to use the appliances and store them at the correct height. A concertina door that folds as it opens is a space-saving option.
• Another option is to have fitted a pull-out shelf that actually extends your worktop space for an electric mixer or food processor, or a fold-away mixer shelf that stows the mixer in the cupboard below the worktop when not in use. These shelves are often slightly lower than worktop height for easy viewing into a mixing bowl.

Kitchen Storage QUICK-FIX PROJECT

Sideboard drawer divider

Are your heirlooms in a clutter? Consider dividing your sideboard drawer into made-to-measure sections to neatly contain its contents. First measure your drawer and cutlery, then draw up a plan of how best to divide up the drawer, allowing room for candles, bottle openers, carving knives and similar dining room needs. The sections are cut from plywood strips of a suitable height, then all are nailed or glued together to create a lift-in/ lift-out drawer divider. Line the bottom of the drawer with a layer of fine batting or felt before fitting in the divider.

Kid’s cooking drawer

Make a handy activity top to fit your kitchen drawers — your child will have a special worktopfor painting or cutting out, or for assisting the master chef at those critical moments.

Pull-out bins

Encourage recycling of waste products like glass, metals, plastics and foodstuffs. Some units have a chute situated near the sink to place waste products into the bin, so the cupboard need only be opened to empty the bin.

Recycle your glass jars as canisters: paint the lids a colour that coordinates with your kitchen.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Practical storage in the Kitchen, Pots, Pans, Bags of Groceries and Delicious Comforting Aromas continue…

• Conquering Clutter (continue...)
• Practical storage in the Kitchen, Pots, Pans, Bags of Groceries and Delicious Comforting Aromas
• THE ABC OF COOKWARE Part 3
• Pots and pans in your Kitchen, Home Shopping Guide
• THE Perfect Kitchen Layout (Major Traffic Position)
• Essential Kitchen Cutlery Part 3
• DIY KITCHEN UPDATE continue...
• The natural kitchen
• Bohemian
• Conquering Clutter

Trackback URI | Comments RSS