The
Importance of a Well Planned and Organized
Kitchen
I recently went to see
the play "Wicked". It had great
singing, was well scripted and was thought
provoking. And, like most people, I have
trouble leaving work at work. A thought
that crept into my brain was they had
some really bad storage and organization
for all the witches-brew ingredients.
What are the odds that somebody would
come to complain about the set design
in that way? My colleagues think I should
have my head examined, but before I go,
I offer this about the importance of a
well planned and organized kitchen.
Appetizer: Drawer
Dividers
How many times have you
gone to your utensil drawer and pulled
it out only to find that it is stuck?
It pulls out, but only by inches. It is
because something is stuck in the drawer
and has popped up high enough to snag
the drawer from above. Maddening - you
bet! Usually, the item snaps and breaks,
or you end up playing the "drawer
shimmy" game until the offending
piece drops just enough to dislodge itself.
All things considered, if you have the
proper place for bigger items in the drawer,
you will not be locked out of the drawer.
There are numerous options available.
From wood (bamboo or beech) and white
plastic expandable, to clear acrylic and
molded plastic, you have many styles to
choose from. The measurements of the drawer
and the items being stored will help determine
which is best for you.
Intermezzo: Pantry
Door & Wall Organizing
To say there are hundreds
of different organizers for on the door
or wall would be an understatement. It
used to be all you could get were vinyl-coated
wire organizers that would mount with
screws onto whatever surface you had available.
Now, there are chrome, epoxy-coated and
adjustable spine organizers at your disposal.
All of them have a specific purpose, from
organizing lids to storing spices, with
great options for every use, need, space
and price range.
Main Course:
Cabinet Pullouts
Yes...the bane of kitchen
existence. To be able to get to items
in a base cabinet without having to remove
everything in front of them is the ultimate
goal. There are more companies than ever
producing well-made, attractive, multi-functional
pullouts. Whether you like chrome, white
epoxy or wood, they are great solutions
to organizing base cabinets. Make sure
to take accurate measurements when heading
to the store. You can avoid most obstacles
by taking accurate measurements and knowing
what will be stored in your pullout. You
will be pleasantly surprised by the selection
of comfortably sized, well-priced options
open to you when selecting cabinet pullouts.
Dessert: Trash
and Recycle Bins
I saved the best for
last. After any good meal, you have to
clean up. Remember what I said about accurate
measurements? Well, the number one reason
why a product is returned to my company
is inaccurate measurements... the item
just did not fit. When selecting a trash
can or recycling bin for under the sink,
remember to take accurate measurements
and take into account the pipes, wires,
cabinet molding, depth, etc... Consumers
used to be limited in choice of product.
Today, you can select from a wide variety
of trashcans and recycling bins to fit
any space, even narrow openings. Make
sure the unit you purchase has full-extension
glides and takes a normal-sized garbage
bag, not one the company makes for the
model. If they ever discontinue that model,
you will be out of luck.
Having a well organized
kitchen can reduce stress and frustration
when cooking any meal. I think the witch
in "Wicked" may not have been
so wicked if only she could have found
her eye-of-newt easier.
About the Author:
Howard Freedland is the owner
of Space Organizers, Inc. in Juno Beach,
Florida. Storage and organizing products
for every room in your home or office.
www.Huney-Do.com
- (561) 694-8611
