Have you ever seen a kitchen that looks stunning but suffers from a serious lack of function? Getting the inside of your cabinets right can be as important as what’s on the outside. Here are some common pitfalls we’ve seen in homes over the years.
Drawer depth
Large drawers are wonderful in a kitchen when sized properly. Look at your cookware and make sure you’ll have enough clearance for nesting pots and pans. Where will your lids go?
A better option could be a lower cabinet and with adjustable rollout shelves. Then you can have a shallow rollout on top for lids and lower rollouts for cookware. Either way, no more getting on your knees to dig for what you need. Plus, the adjustability means when your needs change, so can your storage setup.
Non-adjustable rollouts
Speaking of the value of adjustability, I’ve organized too many kitchens over the years where tall olive oil bottles and large spice jars don’t fit because in the rollout that was supposedly designed to hold them. Before you add any upgrade to your kitchen, measure your tallest items and be sure it meets your needs. There is a wide variety of adjustable options on the market, so don’t settle for “good enough." Get it right the first time.
Pantry Accessibility
The expression “Out of sight, out of mind” holds especially true with food items. And that unfortunately leads to a lot of food waste in this country. The average family throws away about $1500 worth of food each year. One big culprit: Deep pantry cabinets. When you have static shelves in deep cabinets, food gets forgotten. Adding rollout shelves or using appropriately sized clear bins helps keep everything accessible. If your pantry cabinets are very tall, you'll also want to consider creating storage for a folding step stool nearby. Large turntables also help easily shift items from front to back on higher shelves.
Blind Corner Cabinets
Without installing pullout racks in these spaces, you will likely have a very difficult time reaching anything your store in there. These racks can get pricy, so before you choose a blind corner cabinet, it’s important to consider accessibility.
Some home owners are quick to dismiss corner lazy susans, but this is another space where adding some clear bins can greatly increase the functionality while also keeping items from falling off the sides of the turntables. The goal should be making every inch of lower cabinets as accessible as possible.
Small Appliance Storage
If you own large items like an air fryer or a Kitchen Aid mixer, don’t forget to create a home for them. If you love the idea of an appliance lift to hold that mixer, it may require a full-height cabinet to extend high enough. You’ll also need to check if electrical outlets are located within reach of those areas.
Kitchen storage done right can be a real game changer for your everyday life. The wide range of options can feel intimidating or you may simply not have the time to do the research yourself. That’s where bringing in an expert can make all the difference. We offer free consultations and installation is included with our products. So remember, Kitchen Wise Closet Wise of Bergen County is here for you and always happy to help.
Kitchen Wise | Closet Wise of Bergen County
551-455-9500
www.kitchenwise.com/bergen-co
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