Storage Ideas for the Kitchen

What Do You Need?

The storage space you need in the kitchen depends partly on your shopping routine. If you rely on daily shopping at local or convenience stores, you'll need less space than if you buy a trolley-load of groceries once a month. How heavily do you depend on frozen foods? Can you manage with a small freezer compartment above the fridge or can you justify a more substantial freezer?

Keep On Top of Your Recycling

Regularly consign newspapers, bottles, and cans destined for recycling to the garage, shed, or cellar, if you can. Avoid storing in thin plastic carriers, which tend to split. Instead, use stackable plastic crates or baskets, or, if floor space is at a premium, hang plastic laundry bags or canvas holdalls from hooks, and sort your papers and rinsed bottles and cans as you discard them.

Install Storage Grids and Racks

Make the most of wall space by fitting a wire storage-grid, peg rail, or row of hooks for frequently used utensils. Position within easy reach, but far enough away from the hob to avoid grease splashes. A wall-mounted wooden or metal plate rack provides permanent storage for crockery. Ceiling racks can hold colanders, jugs, ladles, and even pans, though be sure to leave enough headroom.

Use Furniture That Can Be Stashed Away

A kitchen trolley on castors can be parked under a table when not in use. For extra flexibility choose one with a butcher's block on top and drawers or shelves below. Folding bar stools provide breakfast seating that can be stashed away.

Make Use of Unit Add-Ons

Make use of kitchen unit add-ons. Possibilities include adjustable shelves for cupboards, clip-on baskets, and trays for pan lids. Many items fit any standard unit. Also look for drawer dividers to sort cutlery and utensils; covered tidies for cleaning materials; tiered racks and carousels for pans, lids, crockery, baking tins, and groceries. Augment existing kitchen units with free-standing cupboards, extra shelves, or a drop-leaf table that could act as a food preparation area.