Space Saving Cooking Accessories

By Lucinda Jones

Optimizing the space in your kitchen has a number of benefits. You should have a more organized kitchen, and, as a result, you will be able to find things more quickly. You will also be able to more readily see what items you need, so you can avoid forgetting items or purchasing something you already have when you go shopping.

Saving space also allows you to have more kitchen items overall, even if you house or apartment is small. More space also means a cleaner kitchen in general. There is really no good reason not to invest in space-saving cooking accessories!

Before you even start organizing the food items in your kitchen, work on making sure that your supplies are stored to save space. Start with the items that you use the most such as plates and dishes. Instead of stacking them horizontally, try purchasing a few plate cradles. These space savers allow you to store the plates vertically, making better use of your cabinet space and giving you extra room. These containers can also help you prevent chips and cracks in your plates.

You can also find innovative tools to help you organize and store your other kitchen supplies. Pot racks work well for hanging pots and pans to get them out of the way, and because these racks can hang on either the wall or ceiling, they make use of space that would not otherwise be used.

There are also a number of ways to optimize the space in your cupboards for canned goods and other non-perishables. For example, one handy tool you can use is a step shelf. These small plastic shelves are inexpensive and can be placed in any cabinet or on any countertop to raise jars and cans. That way, you can see everything in your cabinet at once. You will end up not just saving space, but also money, since you can quickly create your shopping list and avoid buying items you already have in your pantry.

You can also invest in storage items by purchasing rolling drawers. When you have a tall cabinet, it sometimes ends up being wasted space, since the things your store may only reach partly into the air. Instead, choose a multi-tier rack with shelves that roll out so you can easily get to items located in the back.

On your counter, look for creative storage solutions that do not take up much space so that you still have plenty of room to work when you cook. Also, most homeowners find it helpful to have a produce basket. For items like bananas that do not need refrigeration, these baskets are a pretty storage solution, and if you find a multi-tier basket, you will be saving space as well. Always remember to build up into empty space that would not otherwise be used. You can also look for a baking rack for your countertop. Not only are these racks functional for when you are making cookies, muffins, and other baked goods, but many are built to store cookie sheets and other items when they're not in use.

In addition, do not leave out your refrigerator when you are focusing on organizing to save space. Similar to your cupboards, you can use rolling shelves and step shelves to keep your refrigerator uncluttered. There are also products that work specifically with the items that you normally keep in the fridge. For example, a beverage container with a spout on the side is a great idea, especially if you and your family enjoy making your own juices. Instead of making pitcher after pitcher, you can make one large batch to keep in the refrigerator at all times. They save space, as well as time and money, and will encourage everyone in your household to make better drinking decisions. When there's fresh, healthy juice or tea in the house, it is easier to resist grabbing a soda.

You can also look for produce savers for your refrigerator. Fruits and vegetables can be bulky, and it is easy for food to take on weird smells or go bad quickly when pushed to the back of a produce drawer. Instead, conduct the prep work on your produce as soon as you get home from the grocery store. Store your washed and chopped fruits and veggies in easy-to-stack produce containers so you can save space, see what you have, and easily grab what you need for your recipe.

The kitchen is not the only place where it pays to save space. You may thing your house or apartment is small, but in actuality, with a few great tools and some organization, you can really make the most out of a space and fit a lot into a small area. Always keep your eyes open for great solutions to all of your home storage problems.

Lucinda Jones is a freelance writer who writes about cooking and other home products, often discussing particular types of items such as cooking accessories.