Knock down kitchen clutter by employing unexpected storage spaces.
Whether you have kitchen railings installed against a kitchen wall to maximize vertical storage space or have a traditional porch-style railing as an architectural kitchen feature, railings provide a myriad of kitchen storage options. Modern wall-mounted rail systems, often a feature of compact kitchens, can be found in a variety of metals and offer options for hanging storage when kitchen cabinetry or counter space is at a minimum. Does this Spark an idea?
Take Advantage of Hanging Space
Use S hooks to hang ktichen items from the railing.
Use easy-to-find decorative metal S hooks to hang utensils, pots, pans and other handled kitchen supplies from your kitchen railing. There are no rules here. Hang items for ease of accessibility in a manner that pleases the eye. S hooks can be found in hardware stores in sizes and colors appropriate for the weight of the hanging items and the decor of your kitchen. If the top of the S hook is too small to fit over the railing, suspend the hook from decorative wire that you first wrap around the railing.
Employ Planters for Railing Storage
Install an empty planter on top of the railing.
Traditional porch-style railings, often a feature of older homes, offer rail tops that will hold empty flower planters, offering an option for unique kitchen storage. Select planters that will enhance your decor and install them as you would to outdoor railings. To maximize space, divide larger planters using small baskets or plastic bins to hold utensils, spices, kitchen towels, canned goods, snack containers or anything else that might fit neatly in the space. Leave planters wide open to store larger items like dishes, serving pieces or bakeware. If you have enough room on your railing, flank two planters used for storage with one used in the traditional fashion to grow useful herbs or green plants.
This option will work on an installed wall-mounted railing system as long as the rail will support the planters and contents. Use small, lightweight planters on a wall-mounted railing to keep the weight at a minimum or attach the planters directly to the wall with appropriate wall anchors for added stability.
The Spaces Between and Over
Paint child-sized wooden hangers to use as railing storage.
Display vintage or colorful kitchen linens by hanging them in the open spaces of a traditional railing or over the available railing space of a wall-mounted railing. When a traditional railing is available, hang items on colorful child-sized hangers or painted wooden hangers suspended from the top rail to fill the open space between the posts. Hangers with pant clips or clothespins work well to hold items that don't fold, such as oven mitts, lightweight cooking utensils, wicker plate holders, plastic cups or sport drink bottles. This is a favorable storage option for lightweight or unbreakable items.
Tags: wall-mounted railing, hooks hang, kitchen storage, often feature, that will, traditional railing
