Conard Romano ArchitectsSaveEmail Pedals to turn the water on and off. Turning on the faucet with messy hands can make an even bigger mess. Plumbing pedals, like the ones in this kitchen, can help confine the mess. Just like at the doctor's office, you can use your foot to turn the sink on — hot water, cold water or both. Contact a local plumber to ask for an estimate — pedals can be added to existing sinks or new kitchen designs.
Venegas and CompanySaveEmail A drawer for the food wrap. Most kitchen owners are familiar with the irritating, messy drawer of plastic bags, foil and plastic wrap. It seems impossible to keep tidy, and everything always seems to get stuck in the drawer. A food-wrap divider can simply slip inside an existing kitchen drawer. If you're designing a new space, consider working with your cabinetry designer to get a custom version for one of your drawers.
2. Utensil drawer. This clever utensil built-in keeps serveware and silverware conveniently in check. Added to more than 132,000 ideabooks, this image is one of the most popular on Houzz. If you want the look but can't afford custom, take the DIY route by placing stainless steel pots in a deep, empty drawer.
4. Cookie sheet drawer. More than 119,000 users agree that this divided drawer is the solution for a range of muffin tins, broiler pans, cooling racks and cookie sheets. If you don't have a drawer to spare, try a narrow pullout near the stove or add wood or metal dividers to the cabinet above your refrigerator.
3. Optimize containers. When I first organized my pantry, I figured that every bulk, pourable item belonged in an airtight container. So I went to my local wholesaler and got container sets that featured boxes in various sizes. Big mistake. Because really there are only two sizes I use: large and medium. Not only that, but I didn’t think carefully enough about what went into the containers. We don’t buy our cereals or snacks in bulk, so trading a slim box for a clear container did nothing for improving my organization. Instead, I’ll take a cue from this pantry and use containers only for items that need to stay fresh and come in messy bags, like baking supplies.
2. Keep go-to items at eye level. Judging by where these cereal boxes are kept, I’d guess that a couple of self-directed kids hit this pantry for breakfast every morning. I’m taking a cue from this smart parent and organizing my pantry based on how often my family uses individual items. I’ll reserve eye-level shelves for cereal, pasta and other staples while keeping baking supplies and treats higher up.
An undercounter composting unit like this one means you can just wipe all of your food waste off the counters and into your bin before it goes out to the garden. Put one in your countertop where you do most of your prep work to make composting easy to remember and do.
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