We live in a smallish home, which we love! Sometimes it can get a little crowded up in here. And I don't mean with people...I mean with stuff. Also, I like to see what I have...I'm totally an out of site, out of mind kind of girl. Our kitchen can turn into a cluttery mess if I'm not careful, so I've implemented a few fun kitchen storage ideas that keep the visual being in me happy, and the budget minded side of me happy too! I hope you can use some of these simple organizing ideas to make your kitchen a little more user friendly!
My favorite storage idea ever just happened a few days ago. I was cleaning out the drawers (we only have 4, so space is limited), and kept thinking that I wish there was a place that I could hang my measuring cups and spoons. I also kept trying to figure out what to do with my Grandmommy's rolling pin that I love so much...it just doesn't belong in a drawer. There I was staring at the small area between my stove and microwave when it hit me...a rod would be great there! I remembered that I had an IKEA BYGEL rail in my garage that I had brought home months ago. I had it hung in minutes and am soooo happy! I can easily access my measuring cups now, and my rolling pin has a new home!
I like having things close at hand when I'm cooking, so when I saw these pretty glass canisters at Homegoods a few months ago, I knew they would be perfect for the spices, kosher salt and breadcrumbs that I use almost daily. I place my most used utensils in a white crock that lives right beside the stove for quick use, and added a small white platter that holds my pepper grinder, olive oil and vinegar too. I leave the wire rack on the right side of my stovetop most of the time so I can place hot pans or dishes on them since we do not have granite countertops. And of course...my favorite chopping block is nestled behind out panini press for quick use!
I try to use absolutely every inch of space available to store things, and the side of my refrigerator is one of the best spots! I hung a silver 3M hook to hold my colanders and strainers for quick use. I also store a few of my most used spices in magnetic spice holders. My sweet sister bought me those cute magnetic salt and pepper grinders a few years ago...they are great to take outside for a cookout or just grab if we are eating in the breakfast nook. A couple of weeks ago, I hung the wooden board with a clothes pin to hold recipes that I am preparing. Why not use that unused space for more than hanging papers?
Aren't they just the cutest?
The space above our sink holds our Chalkboard Menu that I made using an old mirror...this keeps me from anwering the "What are we having for dinner?" question a gazillion times a day, and it reminds me of what I need to have prepped for the evening. You can see there are a couple of small colanders hanging on either side of the sink too...they are great for quick berry or veggie washing!
On the other side of the sink, we have a small coffee bar. Nothing fancy, just a spot to get your coffee or hot chocolate, add a little sweetener, and make some toast. It's nice to have all of these items in one spot.
***Note that my Keurig K-Cup holder is empty...I guess I better make a trip to the grocery store!
This little gem is a huge help in the storage department. I found it at a thrift store last summer, painted it and filled it with things that had no home or were jammed in drawers. It houses our plastic cutlery, plastic storage containers, cutting mats and a basket of cup lids for Tervis Tumblers and to go coffee cups.
I used a letter organizer to hold my cutting mats and all of those plastic storage lids.
So, that's our little kitchen! It's not big by any stretch, but it works for us!
Next week I'll be sharing some more storage ideas we have implemented in the dining area of our kitchen! I hope some of these ideas will encourage you to think outside of the box and pull out some of your favorite things too!
Here's a little extra tidbit for you...a printable Kitchen Conversion Chart that shows you How To Cut a Recipe In Half!
