[kisaacs]

So, I've lived in my kitchen for almost 2 years now. It had so much more storage than my old kitchen that I just kind of haphazardly put stuff away without any real organization.

Well, this weekend, I decided to reorganize. We had a little more on the counter than I wanted, and I wanted to create a dedicated space for baby bottles and things that I'll need in a few months. Well, with just some rejiggering, and throwing away nothing, I was able to

1. Get the coffee maker off the counter (we never use it)
2. Free up 1/2 a shelf on the lazy susan for stuff I don't own yet
3. Free up an entire shelf in the wall corner cabinet for stuff I don't own yet.
4. Make all the mixing bowls much more accessible by putting them in a drawer next to my plates
5. Move the hot drink stuff (tea, hot chocolate, chai, and cider) next to the stove above the mugs instead of across the kitchen.
6. Free up another shelf in a wall cabinet for canned goods so they all fit and I can separate soup from veggies.
7. The goal of the mission -- free up an entire wire basket in my 21 inch cabinet for future baby stuff.

It was so cool! My kitchen is neater, I can find stuff easier, and I have more space! Magic!

Kristen

[GardenOfDarwin]

Woo-hoo! I was so thrilled when I found that I could add 2 extra 12" drawers to our pull-out base cabinet. I was able to add all my baking stuff into the cabinet without infringing upon the kids' storage of their plates/bowls, sippy cups, glasses, mugs, little pitchers, etc.

Oh, and I have some 'stuff you don't own yet' for you! Still collecting, then I'll get into a big box and send it off to you. I think I still have a huge bag of Avent bottles and sippy cups. Good stuff.

Susan

[laurie]

kisaacs, I know we had a discussion going along time ago about "what" items everyone needs to plan for in their remodel. But, I don't recall us talking about "where" we use those items in the kitchen so we can plan accordingly for storage (i.e., pots/pans under or near the stove) so that we don't feel we're running marathon each time.

It would be great for those (like me!) who haven't remodeled yet to learn from those who have gone before us.

I think you just created a good discussion!

[JimGo]

Congrats - but even more importantly congratulations on your impending arrival!

[madp67]

Kristen, congrats on getting so much reorganized this weekend. I guess it takes a little one to get you there. It's amazing the things we put off until we have to do it - I'm one of those as well. I bet you can't wait to fill up the spaces with stuff you don't yet have. If I were in your shoes, I think I would be doing the same.

[kisaacs]

Yeah, I'm not much of an organizer in general, but this felt really good. I've got to get to my pull out pantry at some point too, but that's more complicated as it might involve moving drawer height around. My guess is that I'll end up doing that in another year or so when we have to find a place to store baby food!!!

My kitchen still isn't super efficient in terms of where things are stored, but I just don't have a lot of choice. I did the layout the best I could (before I found this site!), and it works, but it's not perfect. It's a small kitchen, so I don't know that perfect was an option. Actually, I wish it were just a tad SMALLER. If it were narrower, then there would be only a step between the two sides of the kitchen instead of 2 1/2 steps. It's too wide for a galley and too narrow for an island!

Now that the kitchen's done, I guess I have to finish emptying out the office in it's preparation to become a nursery!

Kristen