Your mother's kitchen cabinets were probably organized with nothing more than a couple of drawers and some basic shelves. Today's cabinets often need to store far more. The good news is that cabinet storage options have expanded tremendously since your mother's era. If you're doing a kitchen remodeling project, see below for some ideas and gadgets that can help keep your cabinets organized and your items accessible.
Roll Out Drawers: The back of the cabinet was once the place that old pots went to die. No longer! Roll out drawers installed in deep lower cabinets can make everything in the cabinet accessible with one tug.
Pull Out Trash Can: Get the trash can off the floor with a pull-out unit that looks like another cabinet until it's opened.
Lazy Susans: A lazy Susan can help you access all of those spices or little jars that get stuck at the back of deep cabinets. Some manufacturers even make whole corner cabinets that rotate 360 degrees so you can always see and use the items in back.
Vertical Organizers: Vertical dividers come in a variety of sizes and widths. This is a great way to store cookie sheets, muffin tins, and pot lids.
Plate Storage: Some homeowners like to store their plates vertically, but you can also buy tiered organizers that can accommodate different sized plates in one location.
Hang it Up: Hanging pot and pan racks are a great way to free up storage space in the kitchen. You can also mount the microwave and spice rack on the wall to clear off cluttered counters.
Specialized Drawers: You can buy drawers specifically designed for storing spices. Narrow pull-out shelves can act as a mini-vertical pantry and are a good place to tuck away small items.
Appliance Garage: If you have an appliance you use frequently, such as a coffee maker or food processor, consider installing a specialized cabinet that makes it easily accessible from the counter. That way you're more likely to put it away when it's not in use.
