December 24, 2010

Win Back Your Kitchen Area With Efficient Storage Solutions

Recent machinery has inevitably found its way into most kitchens areas. It has enabled almost any other process and cooking method to be automated and also is a great help to busy housewives everywhere. Although it has solved a lot of problems, this has also introduced a complete set of latest ones. As we accumulate kitchen appliances, we run out of space to store them. Before you realize it, your kitchen is a cluttered mess and you can't even get a simple bowl while you may need it.

Kitchens used to contain only the barest of fundamentals:
- An oven and also a heater, usually combined in the gas range
- A few pans and pots
- Cabinets
- Counters and also a table

That was that. Things used to be much simpler and additional spaces abounded.
Contrast that to the modern kitchen, that resembles a laboratory more than anything else:
- A microwave
- A Kenwood
- A blender or food processor
- Sandwich maker
- Electric kettle
- A refrigerator or/and freezer
- A dishwasher
- Washing machine and dryer combo

And that is not even counting the myriad of gadgets: the potato slicer, the mandolin, and also different specialized pans and pots for cooking pasta and such. This is kind of ironic because as the kitchen gadgets are increasing, the quantity of time we spend cooking is really getting less and less. We could attribute this to a hectic city life-style, however a bigger factor is the abundance of ready-made food alternatives. Fast foods compete with delis and full-service restaurants for your food budget.
Thus we accumulate stuff in our small kitchens. It can only lead to clutter. Enter kitchen storage solutions. You could use ingenious methods of maximizing what little space you have as well as making new ones when all is spent.

- High ceilings are best for extended cupboards. Store seldom-used items and hazardous washing chemicals away from kid's reach.
- Hang pans and pots for a "country" feel. Also think about displaying old plates.
- Have a particular shelf made for bigger items like your microwave. Not just will you've an exact place for easier access, your countertops would be free for food preparation and other devices.
- Have your oven fitted into cabinets so that the floor space it is occupying can be used for another things. A stove can be put on a corner and the surrounding area can be used for food preparations.
- Glass doors on cabinets could make searching for things lots easier. You may look for say a bowlor plate at a glance without even opening this.
- Do not be a pack rat. Rather than holding onto something just due to you may require it someday, just donate it to charity. The space you save and the goodwill you gain will all be worth it.
- Washing clothes and cooking do not really go jointly. Move your washing machine out of the kitchen and also down to the basement.

Remember, you can win the battle against clutter. Just be a little innovative and do not permit a few challenges stop you.

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