Over the last decade, I have lived in 17 different properties (thanks to moving around the country for my previous career). I've had kitchens as large as 32sqm, as small as 3sqm and everything in between. One thing I've learned is that the structural design, decor and layout of a kitchen only plays a small part in its functionality and practicality. The rest comes down to how you pack, stack, store and stock it.
Meat-space VS Cyber-space VS Dead-space
Identify your bench top dead-space (the area you can't use for food prep). Use this area for storage - specifically, for the items you use every day like utensils, knives, herbs, oils, etc.
Daily use requires daily reach!
Sure, the vases, platters and punchbowl look pretty but it you only use them once every few months, then perhaps they can be better stored in hard to reach places like on top of the cupboards or in a different room (like the dining buffet), creating more space in the easy to reach places for the stuff you use regularly.
Use it, or lose it!
Take a long hard look at every gadget, appliance, and tool you own. Can you remember the last time you used it? Have you EVER used it? Do you even know how to use it? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it's time to sell or donate it to someone who WILL use it.
Store like with like!
Keep your plates and bowls together. Keep your mugs and glasses together. Keep your cookware together. Keep your canned goods together, your sauces together, herbs together, etc. I know it seems basic and commonsensical but seriously - you wouldn't believe how some people stack, store and stock their kitchens.
Think outside of the box!
Or, specifically, outside of the cupboards. The bottom of the oven makes a great space to store flat baking trays, cast iron skillets and pizza stones. The top of the fridge or side of the microwave is perfect for cutting boards (just don't cover the vents on the side).
Don't blow the bank on basics!
When it comes to storage solutions for the pantry, it's practicality, not price, which counts. Wash out old baby formula tins and re-cover for baking staple storage. Re-covered and labelled shoe boxes make great stackable storage for the thousands of drink sachets, noodle packets, etc. Generic cereal containers are perfect for rice, pasta, cereal, lollies, dried fried & nuts, etc.
Square pegs do NOT fit in round holes!
Can you stack all of your lunchboxes, left-over containers and general tupperware inside each other? Or are there too many different sizes, shapes and designs? 10 standard-sized, stackable containers will take up half as much room as two containers of different sizes or shapes.
Stack it to store it!
Can holders are cheap, easy to stack and worth their weight in gold - especially if you bulk-buy canned goods to save money (or to stock up for cyclone season). This way you can easily see what you have on hand and grab it without upsetting the rest of the precariously stacked pantry.
Label it!
It's not much use storing anything in containers if you don't know what's in what and where!
