New cabinets installed - how to decide where to put everything?

8 years ago

We just had new cabinets installed and I am overwhelmed with the idea of where to put everything. We pretty much have the same layout with some changes. The new cabinets are making better use of space (all the way to the ceiling, no blind cabinets, and better drawer set ups). We also took out a peninsula and created an island. Plus there was an awkward closet that we removed and it gave us another cabinet area.

I put a few things away. Just seem to be dragging my feet and hesitant. Any tips?

Also, should I fill the lowers even though the countertop has not been installed yet?

Featured Answer

Toronto Veterinarian

8 years ago

I put things where my body thinks they should go. I'll stand at the stove and say "where do I naturally reach for a spoon?" or stand at the sink and reach naturally somewhere for a glass. Honestly, most people can walk into a stranger's kitchen and know where the plates or cutlery are -- they're in a place that makes organic sense, not a place that you chart out. As for other things (cooking gear or spices or foodstuff) try to think about not just where in your kitchen you use them, but at what height you want them. You might take this opportunity to move heavy objects closer to waist height for less lifting, or move your spices up to eye level, etc.

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Comments (7)

beachem
8 years ago
You can fill the bottom without the countertop on. It doesn't make a difference.

I would recommend creating zone in the kitchen for your tasks - baking, prepping, cooking, putting away etc...

While everything is empty, put all your stuff on a table, sort things out in category. Cull, cull hard and get rid of old, broken, duplicate and unused stuff.

Now look at the designated zone for the stuff in that zone. Now you can see what will go where and how you want to organize it. I put the least used stuff up high and the frequently used items right at waist height.

I also use dividers made out of cereal or cardboard boxes so that my things aren't jumbled in a drawer.
Lyndy thanked beachem
barncatz
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If you have pretty much the same storage layout, you can sit for a bit and identify any past storage sticking points/irritation areas, and decide how to fix them. I agree with beacham's inventory/cull advice but then if your storage worked well in your past kitchen, go ahead and replicate it rather than fretting. Don't be afraid to have some empty cupboards but as you're putting things away, you may realize an item can now 'go high' as beacham notes, rather than using prime storage space. And nothing is set in concrete. In the past six months, this forum has inspired me to rearrange cupboards, my pantry and even my refrigerator.

This may help, too. I believe it's something Buehl put together, from the New to Kitchens thread.

Storage/Inventory
Lyndy thanked barncatz
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Lyndy
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, beachem and barncatz! I appreciate the input and the link provided. Even though the layout is similar, I have more options. So, that is where my hesitation lies.
Susan Gress
8 years ago
I like to put dishes, glasses and silverware that are used everyday as close as possible to the dishwasher. Easy to unload that way.
Lyndy thanked Susan Gress
Lyndy
Original Author
8 years ago
Toronto, that's basically what I was doing last night. Standing and thinking, "Where would this best fit to reach for if needed?" :D
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Kirkarch
8 years ago
You can always move things around after you start using your kitchen and figure out where you naturally reach for things. I thought I had figured out where everything would go during the planning stages of my kitchen, but then after it was finished and I was moving back in I was really overwhelmed! I did my best to put things away where I felt they should go, but after a month I'm already thinking about making some minor adjustments.