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22096 Misty Hollow Court
Whitney, TX 76692
[/srpmap]Stash It All: Know the 3 Zones of Kitchen Storage
Organize the right amount of storage around the kitchen’s main activities for easier cooking and flow
“How much space do I need?” This question leads to decisions on where you want to live, what type of home fits you and how you remodel. The trick is to assess what you own and decide how you will store it for convenient access. Carefully consider this challenge because poorly organized spaces often become daily irritations, impeding the pleasure of being at home. Kitchens top the list of rooms in which you need to get your storage right.
The kitchen deserves special attention because it is home to a long list of items, some of which cycle in and out of the house. Requirements vary widely, so kitchen organization principles, combined with your household type, are the common threads.
Consider grouping your storage around three primary activity areas: the refrigerator, the sink and the range.
1. The Refrigerator Center
The refrigerator center serves as a receiving and initial food-preparation point in the kitchen layout. It is best positioned near the entrance from the direction of grocery arrival. Even if this arrangement is not the case in your kitchen, considering this function can help you determine how to begin organizing your space.
A countertop next to or across from your refrigerator is the ideal spot for setting down grocery bags. This position allows immediate transfer of cold items to the fridge and freezer, and storage of staples, canned goods, condiments, cereal boxes and other dry food items in nearby cabinets or a nearby pantry.
Easy access to your staples for initial food preparation helps make the job go faster and easier. Since your staples are placed here, plan to have this same area hold mixers and mixing bowls and their preparation utensils, such as measuring spoons and cups along with sifters, graters, salad molds, cake tins, pie plates and
muffin tins.
The refrigerator center is also the ideal spot for the can opener, food processor, coffee and bread makers, and other small appliances you use with dry goods.
Appliance garages such as this one help eliminate countertop clutter near the refrigerator station. Cookbooks can be anywhere in the kitchen, but the refrigerator center is a good location since cookbooks are used in initial food prep. Place a small bookshelf in a place where it will remain dry but be within reach, as shown here.
Consider placing brooms, dustpans and mops in a pantry or small closet near your refrigerator center.
2. The Sink Center
The sink center should be between the refrigerator and the range center, or cooking area, for maximum efficiency. Since sinks get the most use and traffic of any spot in the kitchen, centrally located sinks and dishwasherswork best.
Plan to have the most uncluttered countertop space in the sink center. The area in and around sinks is used for food-preparation tasks involving cleaning and cutting, as well as washing and cleaning up after meals. Place trash and recycling containers strategically so that tidy disposal happens effortlessly.
Storage at sink centers includes places for everyday flatware, dishes and glassware, as well as activities involving waste management, dishtowel placement and storage, cleaning supplies, polishing and drying.
3. The Range Center
Two configurations, a range or a cooktop with wall ovens, comprise the range center, where cooking food and preparation for serving takes place. Place these functions toward or near the dining room. Anything that involves the cooking process needs to be within the range center. Ovens with ample countertop space next to or closely across from them provide a spot to set down hot items quickly. In immediate and obvious proximity to the range center, put potholders and other items that aid in handling hot cookware. Also use this location to transfer cooked food to serving dishes. Plan to store platters, bowls and other equipment used to get food to the table around the range center.