Thursday, January 6, 2011

Remodel Your Pantry

A shelving system that features the food adds a nice touch.


Every few years your pantry needs upgrading for visual appeal and to improve your storage system. Investing time and money in this project can make your entire kitchen seem more up-to-date. If your budget is limited, you can use creative touches such as paint and wallpaper. Organizational tools can include bright baskets or bins versus a complex storage system that requires detailed installation. Refurbish the pantry for a bright, clean look so that locating foods to cook is a pleasant task in the kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Design a new plan on paper. Sketch a new arrangement of shelving. Plan to construct upper shelving made of wood on three walls of the pantry, for example. Include a 2-inch section of wood molding along each shelf's outer edge as a lip to keep foods from tumbling off. Design the bottom floor section of the pantry to hold large bins for flour or potatoes.


2. Clean out the pantry and plan new lighting. Work on the pantry design after removing all of the interior items. Move all items to cardboard boxes in the garage, for instance, while you wipe down walls and prepare to clean and paint the interior. Route new wiring to add recessed lighting or overhead light fixtures.


3. Repair any interior problems and paint surfaces. Smooth out any dents in the drywall or plaster by filling with joint compound or plaster. Sand all surfaces as smooth as possible. Paint the ceiling white to reflect more light. Roll high gloss paint on the walls and shelving, so they will be easy to clean.


4. Hook up new lighting. Put in recessed lights or connect overhead fixtures. Use the correct type of bulbs, so the interior is easy to see from all angles.


5. Install storage containers or systems. Add sections of storage drawers between two shelves, if you want to store small food items in drawers. Place large baskets on shelves to hold packages of soup mix or boxes of tea bags. Install vinyl tubs with lids on the floor to hold the dry goods.


6. Finish up the pantry with pleasing decorative items. Hang a framed print of a 1940s soup advertisement or hang herbs on the interior of the pantry door. Add a peg or two for special chef's aprons made from striped cotton cloth. Place a bright green throw rug on the floor.







Tags: storage system, system that