Having a functional kitchen is easier than you would imagine if you follow a few simple and logical steps. You need food storage space, food preparation space, places for your dishes and counter space. It doesn't matter if your kitchen is huge or tiny; the steps are the same. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Kitchen efficiency in four easy steps!
1. Food storage will take about half the space in your kitchen. Have the refrigerator, the pantry, and the bread, fruit, vegetable and countertop food items in one section or on one side of the kitchen. The storage system you develop will make food preparation easier. In addition, when you can see what you have, you know what else you need to buy.
Store items you need every day on the most accessible shelves in the cabinets and in the refrigerator. Try to keep similar items in the same area. For example, keep all the soup on one shelf, or all the cereal, crackers and dry mixes in one place. Have a particular space for beverages and a special space for snacks.
Fruits and vegetables look great on the table, and that also keeps them from taking up counter space. Keep your bread in a drawer or in a decorative basket.
Clear plastic "shoe" boxes with lids are perfect for storing spices and pre-packaged flavor pouches. These boxes stack in the upper cabinets so you can see what is in them.
2. Preparing food requires work areas near the sink and at the stove or microwave. Keep knives, cutting boards, sponges, towels and soaps handy, but not in the way. If you have a divided sink, use one side for cleaning and cutting fruits and vegetables, and put your garbage disposal on that side. Save counter space by putting the microwave on a shelf under the cabinet. Since food preparation areas must be kept sanitary, it can be helpful to store cleaning supplies under the sink.
3. Store dishes, glasses, cups and bowls in upper cabinets. Heavier objects like pots and pans, serving and mixing bowls, and small appliances such as the slow cooker or the food processor can go in the lower cabinets. Always put heavy objects in the lower cabinets. Use drawers with dividers for silverware and a drawer near the stove for spatulas and mixing spoons. Have a drawer for towels and aprons, another for serving pieces, and one for plastic and paper bags.
4. Countertops can be clutter magnets! Consider an under-cabinet toaster, coffeemaker and can opener. Keeping the kitchen sanitary is critical, but keeping it tidy will make everything easier. Cleaning spills is simple when there is nothing in the way.
Tags: counter space, food preparation, lower cabinets, upper cabinets, will make, your kitchen
