I love how our kitchen turned out and I love cooking in it, plus I just think it is pretty. That doesn't negate the fact that we are woefully short on drawer space.
When we remodeled the kitchen, we replaced that 30" island with a 24" drawer and door unit and an 18" drawer unit. This was a major plus in the drawer storage department. You can also see the cabinet on the left of the range was changed out to a 24" drawer and door unit too and a 24" upper. Both of these changes made a huge difference in the kitchens function. Now to see how I try to keep them all organized.
In the island I use the 24" drawer for my silverware, steak knives and serving pieces. The silverware unit is a double unit that you can slide across so you can reach silverware on the top or bottom.
The second drawer is deep, and where I keep my plastic storage containers and our thermos drink bottles. As you can see, this becomes a mess really fast.
As you can see, from this side of the kitchen, there are 3 more drawers. People, that is all, only 3 more. (My last kitchen had 11 really generous sized drawers so I was a little spoiled.)
The 24" drawer on the left of the range is sort of a catch all drawer. Can openers, cheese slicer, rubber spatulas, potato peelers, ice cream scoops, wine openers, salad spoons, ladle, meat mallet and a couple of whisks too.
Actually I've found that a ton of stuff I had in drawers at the previous house were not kitchen related. I had 2 junk drawers and then I had some baking dishes in 2 more drawers. These seven drawers that I have are actually all I need and they do function for me quite well. One thing that makes up for lack of storage is my fabulous pantry. It's next to the fridge, so super handy. I couldn't make this kitchen work at all without it. Not only does it hold food but all my small appliances, some casserole dishes and other assorted kitchen items.
Tons of room for all my food.
These wire shelves are a must have for any kitchen. In the last house I had one of these units on the inside of the pantry door. Here I had room for 2 on this wall. All those small things that get lost in a regular pantry are so easy to find and see here.
Even with limited drawer space, I think I have managed to make it function quite well for me. Everything I need on a daily basis is right here and easy to get to. I love having an efficient kitchen.
How do you organize your drawers?
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Oh my...how do you live without a junk drawer! I have at least three! ;) I am trying to figure out the best use of space in my future new kitchen (we have to get the house built first) and I think I am going to have only drawers in all the lower cabinets, so as I get older I won't have to be on my hands and knees trying to get to the back of a bottom cabinet. Of course, I will have to have one door under the kitchen sink because of the plumbing, but I hope to have a pull-out shelf within for my trash and recycle bin. I just love the look of your new kitchen and will be modeling mine pretty much like yours!
ReplyDeleteI have two junk drawers in the tv console in the adjoining family room. So that works. Good luck on your new kitchen and home.
DeleteI have 4 drawers and no pantry so I have a storage problem every day. My kitchen is quite large too. I would love to have a pantry one day.
ReplyDeleteI'm super jealous of that fabulous pantry, Marty!! I'm lucky to have one at all, but it's not big enough by any stretch. Oh well. I do have a lot of drawers, I'm lucky that way. The Tupperware drawer is probably the most challenging to keep organized, especially when my daughter unloads the dishwasher!
ReplyDeleteYou've sure made your kitchen work for you, Marty. I don't use my kitchen drawers. Isn't it funny how all kinds of things end up in those drawers?
ReplyDeleteBrenda
You are always very organized, Marty! I do have alot of drawers, luckily! The last kitchen was very short on drawers. One thing I do is keep my cooking utensils in a crock by the stove, so that opens up a whole drawer. I also have an in drawer knife block that I LOVE! The plastic storage containers: I stack the lids and then stack the same size containers on top of that, in a drawer. I'll have to do a post about this too. I HATE my 2 TEENY pantries. UGH. After 5 years I still can not keep the one organized.....GRRR:):)
ReplyDeleteYou are super organized! Your pantry is amazing! I find it frustrating sometimes that there are so many little kitchen gadgets that you don't need everyday, but when you need them, you need them. You did a wonderful job in your remodel.
ReplyDeleteYour so lucky to have a pantry! I also love the idea of a knife drawer! Great organizing Marty! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDeleteTo be perfectly organized like you it's a gift, as it's the only way space really becomes a MIRACLE dear friend. You are great with remodeling, you do a perfect job. Although I have pretty good space for storage and drawers in my kitchen, I too have two messy drawers I love, lol..
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work and inspiration Marty.
Fabby
I am like you, Marty. I like my drawers organized and functional. We had some cabinets similar to yours in the next to last house we redid. They drove me nuts with how narrow they were...almost useless, really.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job and I just love your kitchen with the improvements. xo Diana
I love your organization. I have more lower cabinets than drawers so everything gets messed up when I'm cooking or not patient in putting everything away perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI love how neat and clean your drawers on. The way you store your Tupperware is clever. I've never done that successfully.
Thanks for the ideas and tips. Your new kitchen is gorgeous!!
Jane x
Marty, you have done a great job adapting to fewer drawers and a different cabinet configuration in your new kitchen. If you hadn't made the changes in the kitchen, it would have been difficult to function. You are a smart cookie! xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat job on organizing, Marty! Organizing and keeping it organized is an on-going process, isn't it? I have a good amount of drawers and some pull out shelves in several of the lower cupboards, but the pantry is my bane of contention. It's small so I'm constantly straightening or rearranging, but I'm just glad I have one!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great weekend!
Carol