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Kitchen Cabinets
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Show, Don't Store, Your Kitchenware
Hide silverware, linens and more in plain sight for attractive kitchen organizing
One of the first spaces new homeowners usually want to set up is the kitchen. And for good reason. The kitchen is usually the go-to spot in the home, where the day begins and ends. Guests will also gravitate toward this high-traffic area because there is usually a lot going on — cooking, drinking and conversation.
And because the kitchen is a multifunctional space, it's important for this action-packed room to operate smoothly. That means everyday items are easy to access and to put away. But kitchen tools that fit perfectly in the old home oftentimes end up homeless in their new surroundings.
Luckily, the kitchen is one room in particular where you can get creative with your storage acting as display. And the examples that we're about to look at are designed to keep countertop space free and open. That way, you can use this prime real estate for what it's intended for — prepping meals.
And because the kitchen is a multifunctional space, it's important for this action-packed room to operate smoothly. That means everyday items are easy to access and to put away. But kitchen tools that fit perfectly in the old home oftentimes end up homeless in their new surroundings.
Luckily, the kitchen is one room in particular where you can get creative with your storage acting as display. And the examples that we're about to look at are designed to keep countertop space free and open. That way, you can use this prime real estate for what it's intended for — prepping meals.
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This kitchen shows a number of things that can be displayed instead of hidden. But what stands out to me are the linens on a shelf in the island. Using wire baskets screams kitchen chic, and that's one more drawer available for storing things that aren't as pretty.
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A simple chrome rod from your local hardware store can hold towels, and an S hook would solve where to store your potholders. And while we're on the subject, how many linens are appropriate? I probably dirty one kitchen towel each week and like to have one in reserve for accidents. Since I do laundry once a week, two to three is the appropriate number of kitchen towels for me. Evaluate your own needs and keep just what you need.
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Ah, one of the easiest things to display — you can put a serving tray in almost any room in the house. They can corral magazines, act as stand-alone décor, be a catchall for mail and do much more.
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| Displaying dishes tends to work best if they are all uniform in color or style. This helps them blend in instead of stand out, which opens up a smaller space. |
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Mixing bowls are another large item that can easily find room on an open shelf. The pop of color works really well here, making the room feel bright and cheery. Notice that the apron is hanging on a hook instead of hiding in a drawer. Let's add that as one more item we'd be able to show off.
by A Beach Cottage
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The mixing bowls here take more of a backseat to the overall look of the kitchen. Again, notice that the chrome shelf matches the items displayed. Can you guess what category I'm going to next suggest to put on view? You're right if you guessed knives. A simple magnetic strip is all you need to free up more drawer space in a cramped kitchen.
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by Atypical Type A
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| And while there is usually a drawer reserved for eating utensils, I was recently in a home where we had to make a choice. Were we going to display plastic wrap and tinfoil or forks and knives? This picture perfectly illustrates another way to store utensils while keeping items off the counter without using drawers. |
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I am a huge coffee drinker and would classify my mug collection as medium size. And while I do have room for my mismatched mugs to be housed in cabinets, coordinating mugs do well being hung for all to see.
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| Whether your kitchen is bite-size or a behemoth, spices have a long-established history of being a great display item. However, I would like to suggest that the way they're stored is up for reinvention — as with this idea floating, wrap-around shelf. I have never seen this in action, and I love it. What tool do you find challenging to store in your kitchen? What additional kitchen items work as display? Let us know in the Comments section. More: Hot Ideas for Stashing Spices 12 Great Ideas for Organization in the Kitchen A Fresh, De-Cluttered Kitchen |
Ideabook updated on Feb. 22, 2012.
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We only have 3 small drawers but really don't have any wall space either- the one open wall is where the pans on hung.