okay, i'll bite :)
First, it's good to get rid of stuff you don't need and don't use. For items that are seldom used but still needed, I am lucky to have a large storage area in the basement. I keep my canning equipment and large roasting pans, coffee urns, etc. there. I would never store everyday dishes out in the open, despite how nice they might look :) because of dust concerns. Items that are the hardest to store are large pots and pans which take up the most real estate. I do a lot of cooking and I need them all the time, but they are stored in a smaller space than I would like. Still, I think it's a good idea to keep heavier things at a lower level, especially if you have Arthur-it is :)

Great tip! It's less of an eye sore if they're located in the basement and can still be easily accessible. :) Kitchen storage is a nightmare for me, especially since I live in a tiny apartment. I will say, my best tip for keeping things organized is to only keep around what I need. No one likes clutter! Although, once I move into a house of my own, I would totally put in some "open shelves." I love that idea!

We used to live in an apartment that had been legislative housing and there was no storage space at all. The kitchen had been a closet, it was so tiny you could not turn around in it. To open the fridge you had to back out and then go in again and I am not kidding :) During that time I had a Julia Child cookbook and I actually made some of the recipes. ah to be young again!!! :)

I'm in the process of redesigning my kitchen. I hate the large space in the centre of the kitchen. My work area is on the opposite side of the kitchen from the sink so I have to always carry the dripping pots, pans or vegetables across the kitchen getting the floor all wet. I think I'll be watching this discussion for ideas.

We had another apartment in the same building that was larger but had a sillier kitchen arrangement. The fridge was in the hallway by the bathroom. The kitchen was separate, again a former closet. The hallway was our food storage area because of course there were no cabinets. good ol' boards and blocks! So my suggestion Robin is to make sure that your fridge is in the kitchen!! :) You could put an island with a sink in the space or maybe move your work space near the sink?