As more and more of us stretch our cooking and baking wings, we’ve also started building up our stash of kitchen appliances. Hand mixers, hand blenders, ricers, steamers, stock pots, hot pots, crock pots, air fryers, espresso machines, toasters, dutch ovens, waffle makers, and pressure cookers (to name a few) have begun occupying our counters and cabinets as we try new recipes and cooking methods.
But most of us only have so much counter space and only so much storage space. So what do you do with those bulky, new appliances that don’t look the best cluttering your counter? We have three great ideas that will help restore order to your kitchen countertops…leaving room for even more cooking escapades.
Look high and low
The space above your cabinets and even your lower cabinet spaces are good options for appliances. If you plan to use the space above, make sure you consider your appliance’s weight and whether you are comfortable using a step stool or small ladder to reach them. If you keep the appliance in its original box or a plastic container, it will be easier to slide them out and pick them up.
“High” doesn’t just mean the space above your cabinets; it can also mean your attic. If your attic is just a short set of stairs away and you have space, then, by all means, put seldom-used appliances like ice cream makers in the attic.
Similarly, “low” doesn’t just mean your lower cabinets; it can also mean your basement. Is the popcorn maker just for fall movie nights? Take it to the basement. Just keep in mind that, when storing in the basement, a cabinet in the basement is best. Avoid keeping any food or food preparation items on the floor, since basements are full of moisture and could damage your food and food-adjacent items.
If you are going to use shelves in the garage, moisture and temperature can be issues there as well. If that is the case, be sure to keep the appliances in plastic containers and label them so you can find them easily. If you have a china hutch or a pantry, even better! Storing appliances in either of these is a great idea.
Shelves and counter storage
Shelves and counter storageIf you have wall space in the kitchen, a stainless steel shelf is a solid storage option. That being said, make sure to mount the shelf on the studs, so it is sturdy enough to hold several appliances.
If you need to use the counter but would like to keep everything organized and out of the way, an appliance garage is a perfect solution, and they are available from several companies, either in finished or unfinished materials. If you want to paint the appliance garage the same color as your cabinets, take a drawer or door into a paint store and have them create paint or stain for you to match your cabinets. There are also appliance garages available that are three-sided so that you can use them in a corner.
If an appliance garage isn’t possible for your space, you can get small shelving units that tuck into a corner or at the side of your existing cabinets to use for appliance storage.
Sometimes keeping appliances on your counter makes the most sense for you. If you have to keep larger appliances on the counter because you are a regular user of the food processor, putting a cutting board underneath makes it easier to slide it out to use.
Cabinets
CabinetsSome cabinets have roll-out options, and most have deep drawers. The lowest drawer on a cabinet is likely the deepest and can hold the most weight, so housing your bigger appliances there is your best bet. Evenly distribute the weight so you don’t place too much stress on the drawer—one heavy appliance on each side and something a little lighter in the middle will do the trick.
Roll-out drawers are sturdy enough to hold some appliances. If you are getting new cabinets and are planning on storing appliances in roll-out drawers or deep drawers, measure your appliance heights so you get cabinets that will work for what you want.
Existing cabinets with odd corner spaces are great for appliances. Small items might not be easily visible, but appliances will be, and you can use under-utilized space to house under-used food preparation items. It’s a win-win, as long as you don’t forget where you put that food processor when the time comes.
Food processors or larger stand mixers can be stored in a cabinet using an appliance lift. The lift comes out of the cabinet and locks to allow the appliance’s use without using counter space. There is usually a small roll-out tray option at the bottom of the cabinet to store accessories that go with the appliance and other items.
Your kitchen space isn’t infinite, but your desire for big tools and gadgets might be. With our tips, you’ll be able to find or create all the storage options you could possibly need for your large and small appliances. Start sorting through your kitchen to decide what you need and where you need them so you can store them in their appropriate places, and soon enough, you’ll see order restored to your kitchen countertops and your life. Happy organizing!
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