Common Zones, Appliances in that Zone, and Suggestions for What to
Store There:

• Storage -- pantry & refrigerator - Tupperware, food, wraps & plastic
  bags

• Preparation -- sink & trash/recyclables--utensils, measuring cups/spoons,
  mixing bowls, colander, jello molds, cutting boards, knives, cook books, paper
  towels

• Cooking -- cooktop/range & MW (and near a water source)--utensils, pot
  holders, trivets, pots & pans, serving dishes (platters, bowls, etc.),
  paper towels

• Baking
  -- ovens/range--utensils, pot holders, trivets, pots & pans, casserole
  dishes, roasting rack, cooling racks, cookie sheets, foils, rolling pin, cookie
  cutters, pizza stone, muffin tins, paper towels [often combined with Cooking
  Zone]

• Cleanup -- sink & DW & trash--detergents, linens, dishes &
  glasses, flatware

• Eating/Serving -- island/peninsula/table/nook/DR--table linens, placemats, napkins,
  dishes & glasses, flatware

• Utility -- broom, dustpan, swifter, mop, cleaning supplies, cloths,
  flashlights, batteries, extension cords

• Message/Communication/Command Center -- keys, phones/answering machine, charging
  station, directories/phone books, calendar, desk supplies, dry erase board or
  chalkboard, pens/pencils, sticky notepaper

Less Common Zones:

• Tea/Coffee Bar -- tea/coffeemaker (and near a water source)--mugs, teas/coffees,
  sugar, teapot

• Snack/Beverage Center -- near MW & refrigerator or small
  refrigerator--snacks, snack dishes, glasses [often combined with Tea/Coffee
  Bar]

• Pet Zone -- feeding area--food, snacks, leashes, medicines (if no children in
  the home), etc.

Overlapping of Zones

Due to space constraints, some zones often
overlap. If this is the case in your kitchen, be sure there is enough work space
in the overlap for both activities. Zones that commonly overlap...

• Prep & Cooking Zones -- These zones should be
  adjacent to each other, so this is a common overlap and is generally not a
  problem. Just be sure you have enough
  room for prepping as well as landing space for the range/cooktop. (It is strongly advised you have enough room
  for emergency landing space on both sides of a range/cooktop.)

• Prep
  & Cleanup Zones -- If
  there is only one sink in the kitchen, these zones will be adjacent to each
  other because of the need for a water source for both zones. However, true overlapping is not generally a
  good idea. Instead, try to keep the
  cleanup area separate from the prep area by putting the sink between them. E.g., DW on one side, Prep Zone on the other
  side. (You should strive to keep the DW
  out of the Prep Zone as well as out of the path between the sink and Prep &
  Cooking Zones and between the refrigerator and Prep & Cooking Zones.) Also
  try for at least 36" (42" or more is better) of room on the Prep Zone
  side of the sink for ample workspace and 24" to 36" on the Cleanup
  Zone side of the sink to accommodate the inevitable dirty dishes that will
  accumulate next to the sink.

Commonly Used Items -- pots & pans,
utensils, small appliances, linens, pot holders, trivets, dish detergents,
"Tupperware", knives, pitchers, water bottles, vases, picnic
supplies, cook books, etc.

.

Foods -- Spices, Breads,
Flours/Sugars, Teas/Coffees, Potatoes, Onions, Canned Goods, Dry Goods (rice,
pasta, etc.), Cereals, Snacks

.

Small Appliances -- Toaster, Stand and/or
Hand Mixer, Blender, Breadmaker, Toaster Oven, Food Processor, Crockpot, Waffle
Iron, Electric Skillet, Coffeemaker, Coffee Grinder, Ricer, Steamer

.

SPECIAL NOTE -- If your ceiling or one or more of your walls is
coming down, consider wiring for speakers, TV, Computer, etc.

.

.

Some helpful threads:

List
of stuff in kitchens?

What
should go within easy reach of the cooktop?

What
goes where?
Reloading
the new kitchen, any tips where things should go?

+++++ PLEASE DO NOT BUMP – THIS THREAD IS REPLACING THE FAQ AND WILL BE REFERENCED FROM THE "READ ME" THREAD! +++++

+++++ PLEASE DO NOT BUMP – THIS THREAD IS REPLACING THE FAQ AND WILL BE REFERENCED FROM THE "READ ME" THREAD! +++++

++++++++++ OBSOLETE -- DO NOT BUMP ++++++++++

UPDATED:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5500787/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage