12 Tips, Ideas & Gadgets to Ace Kitchen Organisation
Handle space crunch with these simple, ingenious ideas that offer maximum utilisation of space in your kitchen
When designing kitchens, one must aim at having everything within arm’s reach. It is extremely important to organise your kitchen in a way that all your pots, pans, ladles, spices and plates are at hand and will go back to their designated spot at the end of each round of cooking. With the help of these solutions, you will find that life is simplified and more organised.
Another way of organising space in existing cupboards and drawers is by creating sections using wooden pegs.
Tip: This is extremely helpful for drawers where hurried pulling may allow delicate cups, saucers, plates or other crockery to slide about, topple over, collide and chip on impact. Peg stands lock them in position and can be useful for stacking bowls over plates and so on.
Tip: This is extremely helpful for drawers where hurried pulling may allow delicate cups, saucers, plates or other crockery to slide about, topple over, collide and chip on impact. Peg stands lock them in position and can be useful for stacking bowls over plates and so on.
A half-height pull-out larder exclusively designed for spices ensures the smallest of spaces are put to good use. These pull-out spice racks display neatly arranged spice jars and can be built close to the stove.
2. Invest in a double sink
I think one of the essentials in a kitchen is a double sink. It allows ample space for washing and cleaning (of vegetables and dishes). In joint families, where more than one member is involved in cooking, this could be a real space and time saver.
I think one of the essentials in a kitchen is a double sink. It allows ample space for washing and cleaning (of vegetables and dishes). In joint families, where more than one member is involved in cooking, this could be a real space and time saver.
Having a pop-out drawer to hold cleaning tools will give you easy access to scrubbers, wipers and gloves to clean the kitchen platform and sink area at the end of the day.
3. Utilise corner spaces
When designing or renovating kitchens, do not forget to utilise the corner space to stack away your go-to appliances. A cubbyhole for regularly used appliances, such as the kettle, toaster and mixer-blender, can clear the kitchen surfaces and create a well-kept, organised space.
When designing or renovating kitchens, do not forget to utilise the corner space to stack away your go-to appliances. A cubbyhole for regularly used appliances, such as the kettle, toaster and mixer-blender, can clear the kitchen surfaces and create a well-kept, organised space.
4. Install sockets within cabinet areas for smaller appliances…
When creating cabinet spaces, factor in the wiring and switch outlets. You can store small appliances out of sight and even use them right next to these spaces. This eliminates the chore of taking out the machine and storing it back inside after use. Also, with the sockets inside, unsightly trailing cables can remain tucked away and hidden.
When using an appliance in the cabinet, such as an electric waffle maker, coffee maker or toaster, pull it out slightly from the enclosing space when using it. If you don’t, the heat resulting from cooking will be trapped in the cabinet – a fire hazard. Also, do leave enough space around each appliance. The appliances should stand on a surface of granite, tile or other heat-resistant material, as in this image.
When creating cabinet spaces, factor in the wiring and switch outlets. You can store small appliances out of sight and even use them right next to these spaces. This eliminates the chore of taking out the machine and storing it back inside after use. Also, with the sockets inside, unsightly trailing cables can remain tucked away and hidden.
When using an appliance in the cabinet, such as an electric waffle maker, coffee maker or toaster, pull it out slightly from the enclosing space when using it. If you don’t, the heat resulting from cooking will be trapped in the cabinet – a fire hazard. Also, do leave enough space around each appliance. The appliances should stand on a surface of granite, tile or other heat-resistant material, as in this image.
5. …And pop up sockets for bigger kitchens
Having insufficient sockets can be extremely frustrating, but these retractable pop-up sockets are extremely handy when working in a large or medium-sized kitchen. Easily installed in the worktop, these sockets can be pulled up to give you access to three sockets which can be connected to any portable electric appliance, such as a coffee maker, toaster, juicer – practically anything that you bring on to the work station. These are also ideal for a kitchen peninsula or island, where wall sockets may be out of reach.
Having insufficient sockets can be extremely frustrating, but these retractable pop-up sockets are extremely handy when working in a large or medium-sized kitchen. Easily installed in the worktop, these sockets can be pulled up to give you access to three sockets which can be connected to any portable electric appliance, such as a coffee maker, toaster, juicer – practically anything that you bring on to the work station. These are also ideal for a kitchen peninsula or island, where wall sockets may be out of reach.
6. Wall-mount appliances
Wall-mounted storage is the way to go where space is a luxury. Also, when having built-in appliances is not an option, consider mounting appliances such as microwaves on the wall and create more free area on your bench space.
Wall-mounted storage is the way to go where space is a luxury. Also, when having built-in appliances is not an option, consider mounting appliances such as microwaves on the wall and create more free area on your bench space.
7. Get a tablet holder
Kitchens can greatly benefit from tablet holders. The elevated phone and tablet holders assist users who wish to browse through recipes or watch cooking tutorials without having to hold the gadget. A screen guard can protect it from splashes or kitchen mishaps.
Kitchens can greatly benefit from tablet holders. The elevated phone and tablet holders assist users who wish to browse through recipes or watch cooking tutorials without having to hold the gadget. A screen guard can protect it from splashes or kitchen mishaps.
8. Install pull-out shelves for food processors and mixers
Slightly heavier appliances like food processors can be attached to a pull-out base within one of your cabinets. These ensure that they do not take up precious space on the workbench and can be returned to their original place in the cabinet after each use.
Slightly heavier appliances like food processors can be attached to a pull-out base within one of your cabinets. These ensure that they do not take up precious space on the workbench and can be returned to their original place in the cabinet after each use.
9. Use magnetic strips to hold knives
Towel rods and magnetic strips can also ease off the clutter on the surfaces by keeping tea towels, dish rags, knives and sponges at bay. Install S-hooks and small buckets to hold smaller items like scissors or spoons.
Tip: Remember to install the magnetic strips for knives at a height where children cannot reach them. Magnetic strips can be installed against the kitchen backsplash to hold knives or spice jars.
Towel rods and magnetic strips can also ease off the clutter on the surfaces by keeping tea towels, dish rags, knives and sponges at bay. Install S-hooks and small buckets to hold smaller items like scissors or spoons.
Tip: Remember to install the magnetic strips for knives at a height where children cannot reach them. Magnetic strips can be installed against the kitchen backsplash to hold knives or spice jars.
10. Get wall-hung baskets for fruits and vegetables…
Often, fruit baskets take a lot of space on your kitchen counter or dining table. An alternative to that is to hang them. Veggies that are used regularly and can do without refrigeration can be organised in their respective baskets or bins.
Often, fruit baskets take a lot of space on your kitchen counter or dining table. An alternative to that is to hang them. Veggies that are used regularly and can do without refrigeration can be organised in their respective baskets or bins.
11. …Or have pull-out wire-mesh trays
Pull-out storage trays in plastic or wire mesh are useful to store fruits and vegetables separately. The mesh allows ample air circulation and is useful for vegetables like onions, garlic and potatoes that need to be kept out of direct light.
Pull-out storage trays in plastic or wire mesh are useful to store fruits and vegetables separately. The mesh allows ample air circulation and is useful for vegetables like onions, garlic and potatoes that need to be kept out of direct light.
12. Make a simple investment in a pegboard
Pegboards are extremely useful to hang larger pots and pans. Create your own wall display with the bright pans and lids positioned on the pegboards.
Pegboards are extremely useful to hang larger pots and pans. Create your own wall display with the bright pans and lids positioned on the pegboards.
You can also dedicate a corner of your kitchen to installing wooden or metal pegs to create wine racks.
Read more:
5 Recipes for Solving Problem Areas in Small Kitchens
Tell us:
Do you have any kitchen-related organisation tips that you would like to share with us? Please tell us in Comments below.
Read more:
5 Recipes for Solving Problem Areas in Small Kitchens
Tell us:
Do you have any kitchen-related organisation tips that you would like to share with us? Please tell us in Comments below.
Increase the functionality and efficiency of your kitchen by compartmentalising the space in your drawers to hold cooking tools, cutlery, plates and other equipment. You may want to invest in reconfigurable dividers or organisers to suit your storing needs.