No matter the size of your kitchen, it needs to be functional to be comfortable. As Morgantown WV’s premiere kitchen designer, we see kitchens of all shapes and sizes and we’ve become pretty good at spotting areas that hold clutter, wasted space, and generally stuff that’s just in the way.
Though always an option, you don’t have to completely renovate your kitchen to create a more useful space…sometimes a little organization can go a long way. With this in mind, here are 5 tips to make your kitchen more functional.
1. Use Drawer Organizers
Kitchen drawers can be some of the most chaotic spaces in a home. We usually have a dedicated and segmented drawer for silverware (a good start), but small tools like can openers, skewers, measuring cups and meat thermometers are often just tossed in a catch-all drawer and rattle around loosely until needed again.
Using drawer organizers can help create a neat, clean system where everything has a place and you can find what you’re looking for quickly without stabbing yourself in the hand with a partially buried shish kabob skewer.
Pro Tip: measure each drawer carefully before purchasing organizers (we have a variety to pick from) to ensure a good fit and minimize wasted space.
2. Organize Spices in a Drawer
While you’re getting your drawers in shape, dedicate one to your spices. Keeping spices in a handy drawer will help you easily find what you are looking for quickly and easily without having to pull everything out in order to check the back of the cabinet for that elusive paprika.
Pro Tip: label the tops of each spice container and set them in a deeper drawer standing up. This will allow you to fit much more into a smaller space while still being able to pull the right spice for the job on the first try. Want to take it to the next level…we have a drawer insert that organizes your spices for you in stainless steel containers.
3. Install a Double “Lazy Susan” in Corner Cabinets
Corner cabinets are often some of the most poorly used spaces in the kitchen. They are deep and cavernous, but items in the back are just not very easy to access. The “Lazy Susan” rotating carousel is a no-brainer for corner cabinets, but a multi-tiered Lazy Susan allows you to double your storage while still being able to easily access every item in your cabinet, no matter how deep in the back it lives.
Pro Tip: got an especially tall corner cabinet? Why not go for three tiers?
4. Use Smart Kitchen Technology
It’s not just phones anymore—it seems like everything is “smart” these days. From smart refrigerators to voice-activated toasters (yes, it’s a thing), smart technology can get a little overwhelming for many of us. However, companies like Amazon and Google make devices that can be extremely helpful in the kitchen. Forget how much sugar to add to your cookie dough? Ask Google. Want to set a timer for 15 minutes? Let Alexa do it for you.
Pro Tip: Voice-activated devices make great kitchen helpers, but look for a device that is water resistant and has a simple design that is easily cleaned—kitchens can get messy!
5. Store Seldom Used Items Elsewhere.
Take a good look around your kitchen. When was the last time you used that mixer, that crock pot, or that margarita machine? Those big items take up a lot of counter space; that’s valuable real estate, so don’t waste it on appliances you rarely use. Take a serious inventory of what gets used on a daily or weekly basis, then organize everything else in another storage space. This will give you more room to work in the kitchen, less clutter, and easier clean-up.
Putting It All Together
So there you have it: 5 tips to make your kitchen more functional. Doing these things may take a little time, but they are minimally invasive and require just a little bit of elbow grease. However, if you’re thinking that something a little more drastic is in order, contact us to talk about how a full kitchen renovation would benefit you and your family. Our designers can sit down with you and discuss your vision, concerns, budget, and timeline and answer any questions you might have.
It all starts with a FREE Consultation, so contact us today!
