Comments on: I Need HELP!!!

By: Bethany

Bethany — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:52:33 +0000

Oh, I was also going to say that I have a small stepstool that folds thin and fits perfectly in the space between my fridge and the wall/cupboards. I’m short too and it’s been great for being able to tuck away things I use infrequently but still need (like certain pyrex dishes or rare spices)

By: Bethany

Bethany — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:49:50 +0000

Some of my suggestions were already given, but I’ll second them anyway Our first place was downtown and had a kitchen that was literally smaller than our bathroom, so I definitely had to get creative. We got some metal/black standing shelves (three or four tiers) and bed bath & beyond and stored them in a corner of the dining area (right next to the kitchen). I used it for all of my big appliances (crock pot, etc) as well as pyrex/casserole dishes, portable grill, etc. It actually wasn’t too distracting since it was tucked in a corner and it was convenient for me. I also recommend the magnetic spice containers — I have a friend that made her own with winco containers and a piece of metal from the hardware store and she uses it to hold her loose leaf teas too. We store things like wine glasses in the space above our fridge and I used to have a cute basket to hold some nonperishables on top of the fridge (breads, chips, crackers, etc). When we moved to this house we bought a small buffet table off of craigslist to hold our china, some linens, etc and that’s worked really well. I store all of my baking pans and tins in the drawer under the oven and I used to have a hook next to my oven that held two hotpads. I kept the others with my linens and just rotated as I needed them.

I may have more, but those are some of my initial thoughts. Good luck!

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:37:07 +0000

I’m going to do just that-wander BB&B armed with a list of ideas!!! I’m glad you like the recipes!

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:36:15 +0000

It’s the bathroom and unfortunately I rent right now so moving walls is not an option

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:35:36 +0000

I weeded before we moved We’ll see once it gets here if I can weed anymore

By: Sara (Erin from DC's Sister)

Sara (Erin from DC's Sister) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:25:23 +0000

Hi Chelsea!
Having just moved to a new apartment with a different kitchen layout than the old one (this one even has a stove, last one didn’t – long story) I feel your pain. I literally went to Bed Bath and Beyond with an open mind and walked up and down every isle to see what would work for me. They have tons of solutions for drawers, cabinets and shelves to stretch the space. My only issue was I wanted to buy it all! I even found a magnetic towel bar that goes on the fridge, although I don’t think that would work for you with Lucy! Erin has this really cool plastic tiered spice shelf/tower thing that organizes all the spices in one small area and you can actually see what you have. It looks like you have some space above the cabinets. I put some bag spices and other small appliances that I don’t use much in some wicker baskets and set them on top of the cabinets. I don’t ever tend to look up, so they are basically out of the way there.
Good luck organizing!

P.S. I’ve been loving the POM recipes. Conveniently POM juice is on sale at Whole Foods right now.

By: Patty

Patty — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:50:54 +0000

Just one other idea that came to mind, Chelsea … what is behind the wall that the trash can is on? You might be able to have a contractor move that wall back 2 or 2-1/2 feet and just install upper and lower cabinets to match the existing ones with a countertop to match the others. Seems kind of radical, but I’m used to those kinds of things happening around here. Kevin’s a contractor and it’s not unusual for him to suddenly get a bug up his butt to move a wall or some other big re-building project. Funny thing is, I’m kind of OCD and get pretty uptight when anything is moved or changed! LOL! But, that might be your solution : )

By: Joanie

Joanie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:38:58 +0000

Chelsea, my thoughts:

* Find a ladder – my brother’s is rustic) and get some of those S hooks from Lowes. You can hang that in the middle of the kitchen from the ceiling and have some space there without having to spend a TON of money on a hanging rack.

* Target has a ton of affordable rolling kitchen carts. Mine has three wire shelves and a natural wood top to match my kitchen. It cost about $70 if I remember correctly. You can spend as much as $1000 on some of the ones on their site, but they are really nice, and are more like rolling “islands” so you could use it as an island, and if you are entertaining, you could roll it off to the side or even to the dining room.

* if you don’t like the idea of a cart or island, why not get a small hutch to put in there? You can probably cruise craigslist for a cheap one that someone’s just trying to get rid of. Even if it needs some refinishing, if you get it fairly cheap, it’d be worth it.

Our kitchen has space under the sink, where we store all our cleaning stuff. We’ve got four drawers and six cabinets (not counting the two under the sink), so I feel your pain. I’ve learned to cook with a set of four pots/pans, and our bakeware goes under the oven in that drawer. We put glass mixing bowls, my beloved glass measuring cups/bowls, the quesadilla maker and our silicone bakeware on the three shelves on our cart. I use the top to throw randomosity on. Our glassware goes into one of our cabinets, dishes and bowls go into another, and the other three are reserved for baking items/spices, flour/kids snacks/popcorn/etc. and the third is used for canned goods. Our freezer and fridge are PACKED with other foods. We also use the top of our fridge, but I don’t know if that is an option for you. We use it for wine/drink/bottled water storage. I do have shelves over each of my windows. One is where I put liquor and my nice caraffes and wine glasses and the other is where I store my cookbooks.

Can you weed out some of the stuff you don’t use and donate it to a women’s shelter in the area? And some of the food you won’t be eating, donate it to the homeless shelter or food shelter. They always love getting food.

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:10:45 +0000

I love the idea of putting all of Lu’s stuff on that shelf!!!

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:08:54 +0000

I would put any plastic storage containers/bowls/etc that you don’t mind Lucy playing with on that open shelf. Then she can play with them and put them away and it won’t be a big deal. You could even place a little bin on the shelf and put any utensils/measuring cups/etc in there that you also don’t mind her playing with. That would free up some space in the “one large drawer” and you could put your silverware in there. I like the pot hanger idea. My first inclination would be to install a shelf on that back wall, but the pot hanger just seems like it would look nicer.