"Typical Tuesday"...on a Thursday :}

Well...I just couldn't wait another week to share with you all some more storage and organizational tips!  Especially since I've unpack and finished setting up my Kitchen Cabinets here at the "Love Shack"! 

I still have some decorative finishes to add but that doesn't really have much to do with the actual storage and how I've had to "maximize" every inch in this kitchen and laundry room.  So...first up, is a photo of the large sliding glass door that is at the end of the kitchen.  This slider sits between the laundry room door and the refrigerator door.  Ultimately I would have preferred a single french door and more wall space, but the light that comes into the house through this slider more than makes up for it.

Also note, that the house came with the "louver" window treatment...which I hate...but until I have time to figure out what rod I'm going to use for these silk drapes, we're keeping the louvers until we can weather proof the slider and remove them.  So in the meantime, I'm simply pulling the drapes together with a tassel to let some light into the house.  I've placed a plant stand here as well because I have to have real plants in my home and the stand holds some other everyday, useful items like towels and cleaning supplies.

Next up, you can see that we moved the refrigerator so that it is snug and tight, next to the cabinets.  This gives us more room to the left of the refrigerator to store my (much needed) step stool as well as keeping things from falling down between the counters and the refrigerator on the right side.

The tiny cabinet above the refrigerator is where I store seldom used items like coffee carafes, drink pitchers and baking and service-ware.  Next to the refrigerator is the stove and these cabinets and counter-tops are designated as the "cooking area".  This means that the upper cabinets hold my "Tupperware Modular Mates" with baking, cooking foods, i.e., rice, flour, and seasonings as well as my spice containers.

The cabinet above the microwave holds small cooking appliances, that sit on a vinyl covered wire shelf, while storage for condiments is provided on a plastic "terraced" organizer below the shelf, for easy access and reading the labels.  On the counter, I store my cooking utensils in metal "cache" pots while the everyday silverware sits in a white, wooden "knife" box.  The black rod-iron rails that I talked about in this previous post, hold items that we use all the time while cooking, like pot-holders, measuring spoons, cutting boards.  While the hanging rack holds spices that are often used ones like seasoned salt, cinnamon, etc.

While, stored under the spice rack, I've placed a "re-purposed" a tin container and it holds our "bread"...love it...functional and stylish :}  In the drawer next to the stove you'll find storage for mini-bowls for serving sauces, measuring cups, and misc. tupperware gadgets. 

While the cabinet below stores small sauce and frying pans with their lids, in and on, the two "slide-out" organizers...one metal and one plastic...for easy access.  Little plastic hooks hold my "strainers" which also double as "steamers" in my sauce-pots. 

Next, as we move around the kitchen, is the small drawer in the stove (underneath the oven since it's an electrical stove) is where I store the big, bulky roasting pans, racks and lids.

 
In the drawer, to the right of the stove, you'll find all of our knives and serving spoons along with some other bulky utensils that we use often...like a wine bottle opener, egg slicer, can opener, etc.  It only makes sense to have these "utensils" near the rest of the utensils that are gathered in the tin "cache" pots on the counter, as well as near our favorite cutting boards.

Directly below, in the cabinet to the right of the stove, is where I store my "pasta" and stock pots.  Here, in the back, you'll find the tallest modular mate containers, that hold my different pasta noodles and shells.  Then, all my cooking oils and special seasonings, are placed in a vinyl covered wire rack that I've attached to the door...for easy access while cooking.

Directly behind the "cooking area" in this tiny, powerhouse of a kitchen...which measures 11 feet x 10 feet...is the designated "clean-up area" (because it contains the sink and dishwasher).

Next to the kitchen sink, you'll find the tiniest drawer and cabinet that I think I've ever seen before!  So this section of the counter holds the "office" essentials that every kitchen needs...i.e., a pencil holder and coupon caddy.  While the small drawer catches all those little odds and ends like matches/lighters, mints/gum, measuring tape and small hardware.

 
The skinny cabinet below the drawer holds a plastic bag caddy on the door (from IKEA) and inside stores the tall baking sheets/pans while the "mini-shelf" holds extra bottles of wine...cool beans :}

Around the actual sink, I use "decorative" bottles to hold liquid soaps and "comet" cleanser.  Paper towels are on a marble pedestal for easy access next to the sink.  My small coffee/tea pot sits next to the sink (again...for easy access to the water when filling every day).  Next to the tea pot is a decorative metal plate rack which can be used to serve when entertaining, but in the meantime, it holds my daily "tea stash" on a modular mate carousel holder.  Underneath this plate rack, you'll find another black wooden "knife box" and it holds additional, daily-used silverware.  Hanging from the black iron rails...are some of my favorite tea/coffee mugs.  Beneath the mugs, is another tin "cache" pot that holds loads of teaspoons (am I the only one who collects these?) and a clear canister that holds "red-rose" tea bags (my favorite black tea).

Now...underneath the actual sink...storage here can always be limited because of the water pipes, sprayer hoses and garbage disposals...so we have to get creative...and you all know I LOVE A CHALLENGE :}

So...under the garbage disposal area I installed a "rubber-maid" plastic drawer, that slides out and holds many cleaning products.  On the door, I've installed another vinyl coated wire rack to hold paper storage products like foil and plastic wrap.  Under the water pipes, I've mounted two black/clear plastic drawers which hold sponges, scrubbing brushes and dish clothes.  Then to the left, I've installed an "IKEA" metal rack which has two sliding wire trays which hold liquid dish-washing liquid and other cleaning supplies.  While on the door, you can see a "turquoise" bin/cup from "IKEA" and it holds the sink plugs and scrubbers installed right next to a "contractors" left-over towel ring which holds my currently in-use, dish clothes...so that they dry out daily and do not smell (yuck).  There is a small open space between the bins where I place my box of trash can liners/bags.  Here's a closer look...

Next to the sink, you'll find a nice, large counter area with a set of two large wall cabinets above the counter/dishwasher area.  Under these cabinets, I've hung more of the black iron rails and besides hanging mugs, on the "racks" I've placed small "apothecary" jars that hold our vitamins.  If I do not place these "out in the open" then we forget about them and fail to take them...big waste of money :{  On the counter are a few larger jars with more medicines like cough drops and sinus pills that we tend to use more of this time of year.  You can also see tins and baskets holding paper cups, napkins and tissues.

In the first cabinet, to the left, I store the dishes that we use on a daily basis as well as some small appliances that we use in preparing foods, i.e., blender, food processor and steamer.  In the cabinet on the right, you'll find more modular mates that store the foods that we use to eat and snack on every day, i.e., cereals, crackers, coffee, etc.  Having these food items right next to the dishes that we use on a daily basis makes great sense for using the space and saving time in the kitchen.

In the single cabinet and drawer, below this counter, I store all my "plastic" food storage items like bowls, lids and bags.  The drawer holds all the lids (sorry, didn't take a picture) while in the cabinet, I've stacked bowls and attached another vinyl covered rack, to the door, to hold boxes of plastic bags for additional food storage.

Having both the daily dishes and the storage items next to the dishwasher makes clean-up and maintenance quick and easy.  Separating the "clean-up" and "cooking" areas in any kitchen makes them more efficient and enjoyable to work in. 

Last, but not least, is the laundry room...a.k.a. pantry...where I've installed more vinyl covered racks to hold more cans and staples.

 

Well...that's the end of my "kitchen tour"...and I hope that you all enjoyed it and found some "tips" that you can use to make your kitchen more efficient and/or organized.  I do miss my old pantry from the apartment, but this move has "forced" me to really access what I need and can use in this new space.  Which means that I've had to PURGE my modular mates...WHICH MEANS that I'm going to host a giveaway soon and put together a SET OF MODULAR MATES for one lucky reader to win.  Yes, I know that they are "used" but I will pick out the best of the bunch so that they can be re-purposed in someone else's kitchen.  I've seen many people sell theirs on ebay...but I just do not have the patience for that process...so I'm hoping that one of my readers will appreciate my gesture.  Keep reading for details in the near future :}   

Next week I can't wait to show you what we done with our tiny "foyer"...yeah...love it :}

Comments

[Jen]

Love! You have absolutely packed a TON of storage into your space!

xoxo,
Jen

[toni]

I Love it! I need to do under my bathroom sinks. :)

[Antivirus_man]

I liked your site, you are very interesting to write. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Jen]

Wowzers! Talk about oodles and oodles of organizing eye candy! Thank you SO much for linking up this week! You are incredible, and so is your kitchen! I can't get enough!

xoxo,
Jen

[RamonGustav]

I think you have a thorough understanding in this matter. You describe in detail all here.

[Bonnie]

okay..you are officially the queen of organization! wow...I have never seen anything like it! well done to you! I must send you my laundry room photos..I have taken them now..will try do it today. Have a great weekend Roberta!

[Debbie McIntyre]

You've been so busy and it's looking wonderful. so neat and tidy and everything in order. Thanks for the tour.
Mac

[Debra Bunker]

Good job Bobbi - I still can't believe you won't come organize me! LOL