Storage Tips for the Kitchen
by Ruby Hawk on Apr 22, 2009 with 25 Comments
We always need more storage in the kitchen especially if you live in a small apartment like I do. It’s all a matter of learning how to squeeze more into less space.
It’s easier to get to your much used items if you keep them close at hand. Such as flour, sugar,meal, teabags, spaghetti and so on. Store these on an open shelf in attractive glass or ceramic containers you can buy at your thrift or dollar store. It will give a clean decorative touch and you won’t have untidy boxes to clutter up your space.
If your kitchen drawers are crammed with small items that you have no other place for,choose a large pretty basket to drop all that stuff into and sit it on top of your refrigerator. If you want to glam it up tie a ribbon around it.
Image via Wikipedia
If you own a home you can create space for your canned goods. Get a handy person to cut out a piece of wall board from between two or three joints and install some 4 inch shelves. You will have storage for your canned and bottled goods. you can attach a shutter, or leave it open. To save even more drawer space fold and clamp your place mats and table cloths to pants hangers, that is if you have more hanging room. You might hang them from your wire shelves in the pantry or laundry room.
Now that we have made more space in your kitchen drawers let’s get to your recipe books. There is usually wasted space between your counter top and the bottom of the cabinets, so why not attach a shelf there and store your recipe books on it. I would only recommend it if the shelf can be high enough not to enroach on the counter space. I will tell you a little secret. I keep mine on a shelf over the stove.
To keep cleaning up supplies at hand I have small plastic baskets attached to the wall just above my sink to keep soap pads, soap, sink stoppers, and everything I need to clean up. It takes away the clutter and makes my kitchen look neat.
To store your herbs you can get a see through shoe bag and cut it to fit the inside of a couple of cabinet door and attach them on the inside. The pockets are the right size for your herbs, sauces, and whatever.
Image via Wikipedia
Or if you have drawer space you can lay them down there.
If you need more counter space just place a breadboard across an open shelf. It’s a neat trick to make more counter space,
More sites you might like to look at.
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Published in: Do-It-Yourself
Debra. | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Wonderful tips as always, Ruby. The way I shop and stock I’m always looking for space. Intelligent write.
Elizabeth Abbott | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Wonderful ideas. I’ll have to use some of them. Thanks!
Kate Smedley | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Excellent practical advice as always.
Betty Carew | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Wonderful advice Ruby
Evelyn Moore | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great ideas
Christine Ramsay | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
I must admit I have done a lot of these things already, as I now have a much smaller kitchen than before. A good and useful article.
Christine
Joe Dorish | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great useful tips Ruby.
Darla Smith | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Very helpful tips. Thanks for sharing.
DA Cournean | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Good tips Ruby.
OhSugar | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great tips, as always. I thank you for sharing your wisdom on so many topics.
Jenny Heart | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great ideas! Great picture illustration. Loved it!
PR Mace | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great article, Ruby. I always love to read your work.
Shari86 | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great space saving ideas.
Karen Gross | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great tips again, Ruby! I’m with Christine – just moved (well, a year and a half ago) and my new kitchen is much smaller. I got some of those big wicker baskets to put boxed stuff like cake mixes in, so the space above the cupboards looks nice. I also put sugar in glass jars with a piece of cloth and a ribbon for an old fasioned look.
NA Staffieri | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Great job, Ruby. Now if only I had more room to store my cakes and cookies.
Ruby Hawk | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Thank you my good friends, NA, get one of theose large wicker baskets Karen was speaking about . It should hold all your goodies.
Karen, I don’t know why I didn’t include it but I too have baskets on top of my cabinets. I keep all sorts of things in them especially my clean fresh jelly jars that are waiting to be filled.Your idea of cloth ribbon is just right for the old fashioned touch.
Poetic Enigma | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Wonderful Article,
With Great Tips,
Thanks For Sharing!
Jo Oliver | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
More useful tips by Ruby! You are just full of great info. My kitchen is so short on storage space.
Btw- did you see my A-Z Cocktail Party article?
Daisy Peasblossom | Apr 22, 2009 | Reply
Clever ideas–but my kitties would nest in the baskets!
emilywarden | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
Great tips. Our kitchen is tiny (so tiny that my refridgerator lives in the lounge!), so will definately be taking on board your ideas. Wicker baskets….genius idea. Am going shopping this weekend for sure!!!
Anne Lyken Garner | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
Ruby, these are great tips for people with small kitchens. Thankfully, our kitchen is just the right size, so storage space is not a problem for me.
Katien | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
Good tips. I do most of those things already, but hadn’t thought of hanging a shoe bag type thing with pockets onto the inside of a cupboard door, I might try that now. Thanks!
Judy Sheldon | Apr 25, 2009 | Reply
Kitchens never seem big enough, do they? Thanks for the tips.
CutestPrincess | May 12, 2009 | Reply
a very helpful tips…
ripitty_rap | May 13, 2009 | Reply
if you have problems with things being too small you should see what i have got.