Kitchen Utensil & Spice Organization

I finally got my kitchen utensils and spices under control! I shared my dilemma and photos of my crazy, messy drawer(s) here.  But just to recap, here's what I was dealing with:

 

Directly to the right of this drawer is where I was keeping most of my spices.  I knew if I was ever going to get the utensils under control, I needed to reclaim this spice drawer for utensil storage.  So the spices needed a new home. 

The other issue is that the spice collection had spilled over from this drawer into a cabinet directly above it. I was using one of these tiered rack things but overall I felt like there was just too much real estate being dedicated to spices.  So my plan was to reclaim all that space by making use of the unused space on the inside cabinet doors. 

I used a a MagnaPods sheet cut to fit the inside of my cabinet door.  If you've never heard of MagnaPods, they make a very thin steel sheet with a peel off adhesive back.  Basically you can turn any surface into a magnetic one.  Yes I know you can use magnetic paint but in my experience, it's super hard to work with and get an evenly magnetic surface.  The MagnaPods was literally measure, cut, peel and stick. 

I bought two sets of 4 oz magnetic tins from this eBay seller and one of the larger 16 oz tins.  They come with magnetic circles that you just stick onto the back.

 

 

Now the fun part!  I love my label maker :)

I used the larger tins for bigger spices like bay leaves and stuff I use a lot of like pepper flakes.  It would also be good for cinnamon sticks, etc.

On the other door I used these spice holders.  They're perfect for holding larger bottles and stuff that I didn't want to decant into the tins. 

 

So now I had an empty drawer and YUCK! This is why I wanted to get the spices out of the drawer in the first place!

I played around at Bed Bath and Beyond until I found a configuration of their Wilton Mesh drawer organizers that worked for me.   I knew I needed to err on the side of more vs. less organizers otherwise everything would end up a jumbled mess before long. 

 

Happiness!!

 

Also I was able to use 2 extra 16 oz tins to organize two things that we always seem to be looking for at the house but can never find - safety pins and rubber bands!  Now they're right on the side of the refrigerator and close at hand.

Phew...I feel much better now that that's done!  Now I'm off to figure out where I can use more MagnaPods sheets.  These things are awesome. 

Things you should know about Vol. 2

You guys seemed to enjoy my last stream-of-consciousness "things you should know about" post so I'm back today with a second installment.  No rhyme or reason really...just stuff I've come across that I want to share.

Have you seen the newest campaign style furniture at World Market?  No it doesn't have the fancy brass pulls we all love but there are some sexy x-legs.  I particularly like this robin's egg beauty.  It's a like Parsons Desk meets campaign with its high gloss finish.  And only $200!!!

 

$199 Light Blue Josephine Desk

 

Campaign Furniture at World Market

A perfectly proportioned corner changing table for those nurseries that are more nook than room.  This is so smart.

 

Bellacor Corner Changing Table $198

I'm always looking for ways to free up drawer space in the kitchen and currently one entire drawer is a zip lock/aluminum foil/plastic wrap jungle.  This little contraption only needs 5 1/4" of clearance and could easy be tucked into a cabinet above some juice glasses.  $9.71 and I've just reclaimed a full drawer of valuable kitchen real estate.  LOVE THAT!

 

Under Shelf Wrap Rack

Just the cutest hooded towels I've ever seen.  A viking hat with braids?!  Ridiculous cuteness. 

 

Viking Hat Hooded Towel

Indian Headress Hooded Towel

There's a whole bunch of new stuff at IKEA worth knowing about.  Rejoice IKEA Expedit fans!  The famous storage powerhouse now comes in high gloss gray and red.

 

IKEA Expedit 4x4 High Gloss Gray

 

IKEA Expedit 4x4 High Gloss Red 

Cribs are back at IKEA (they were recalled for a bit) and this new SUNKVIK in a pretty gray-brown is sure to show up in lots of modern, neutral nurseries.  For $119, you can't beat it!

 

IKEA Sunkvik Crib Gray/Brown

Remember this post on kitchen utensil organization?  It featured this lovely image using what I'm sure are vintage ironstone pitchers ($$$) to corral various items. 

In lieu of a vintage ironstone pitcher collection, the rest of us can use these Sockerart white pitchers from IKEA.  They come in three sizes (6", 8.75", 12") and range in price from $7.99 to $19.99.  That's much more my speed!

 

IKEA Sockerart Vase  

Must remember this the next time I'm throwing a party.  Clear balloons, sprinkle some confetti inside, fill with helium. Takes balloons to a whole new level don't ya think?

Source: london-bride.com via JoyHey on Pinterest

Can't quite bring yourself to go bold with a dresser paint job?  Try this instead.  Just a peak of color....so fun!

 

Source: elsiemarley.com via Dina on Pinterest

Should I keep doing these stream of consciousness style posts every so often or are they too much randomness crammed into one post?

Martha Stewart Organizing Supplies at Staples

Have you guys seen the latest collaboration between Martha Stewart and Avery at Staples?  In true Martha fashion, everything in the collection is uber pretty.  I'm really loving the stack+fit boxes. They'd look great on a desk but I can't help but think they'd make adorable candy containers on a sweets table too!  You can't tell from these photos but they've actually got a really neat shark-skin like texture to them.

Also in the collection, all kinds of gorgeous sticky notes, dry-erase decals, binders and labels.  Martha even got on my chalkboard label bandwagon!

Check out the entire line here and you can print a 30% off coupon good until 2/18 here.  I'm going to use mine to try out these pantry pockets - peel & stick transparent pockets for storing papers and small items.

Martha Stewart Fabric Storage Drawers at Home Depot

Have you guys seen the amazing array of storage bins in the Martha Stewart line at Home Depot? I've been meaning to blog about them FOREVER.

They are such a great deal at just $6.98 a piece ($7.27 for the striped and polka dot ones).  At 11", they are a perfect fit for IKEA's Billy bookcases and come in such a pretty rainbow of colors, you're bound to find one that fits your decor. 

Crown Molding as High Heel Storage

Shoe storage is one of those things that most women I know struggle with.  You love them.  They're pretty.  They make you happy.  Yet all too often they end up stuffed into shoe bins or piled up in the closet. 

If getting your heel collection under control is on your list of things to tackle this year, consider the simple and inexpensive option of hanging them on pieces of crown molding.  Let the molding blend in by painting it the same color as your wall OR really embrace the "shoes as art" mantra and paint it a fun, contrasting color. 

{Images via Living, Etc // Living In a Nutshell // Geniabeme // SFGirlByBay // HomeStoriesAtoZ // House to Home // Martha Stewart}

Bonus:  Each row of molding/shoes only takes up about 12" so depending on your wall space you have room for lots and lots of heels (read: some shoe shopping might be in order. I know...it's terrible.)  

Short on wall space?  You could even mount a few strips on the back of a door.  So much nicer than those over the door shoe racks don't you think?

An Organized Breakfast Cabinet Station

The premiere issue of HGTV Magazine included a feature on designer Linda Woodrum's kitchen.  Linda is the designer of all the HGTV Dream Homes.  I love getting a sneak peak inside designers' homes and seeing how they live.  Her style is very comfortable and approachable which I'm a big fan of. 

 

How about this built in china cabinet huh?  I love the X's in the doors. So cottage-y and perfect for the Hilton Head setting.

 

But my favorite part of her kitchen was the peak inside this one cabinet that she's dedicated to her "breakfast bar".  Everything you need for breakfast in one, easy to reach spot.  I love how simple this is, it just makes so much sense!  Why not put everything you're going to use in one spot instead of running all over the kitchen?  

Clearly this didn't happen by accident as she had the forethought to plan an electrical outlet in this cabinet for her toaster oven.  Must remember this for future kitchens!!

 

Some other smart people who are making their mornings easier.  Even without room for bowls and mugs it just makes sense to put the toaster near the coffee maker right?

 

 

No counter near your coffee maker?  No problem!  Check out this fantastic idea!  A pull-out (but more importantly tuck-away) surface to prep on.  LOVE THIS!

 

Overkill?  Um...perhaps a tad.  This is like having a Starbucks in your kitchen!  But I guess if you're Martha you can do that sort of thing.

 

Some simple shelves and pretty glass jars with cereal = instant cereal bar.  

Same idea, but kid appropriate!  This would be great in an island cabinet so little ones could help themselves...err...or maybe not?

The idea of organizing by purpose makes so much sense, I don't know why I never thought to apply it to breakfast.  I'm already doing it with my baking in the pantry. 

And everyone does it with diaper changing supplies on their changing table. 

So why not breakfast right?  Right now my espresso machine and my toaster are at opposite ends of the kitchen. 

Do you have a breakfast "center" in your kitchen?

Utensil Storage & Organization

I'm on a mission to both streamline my utensil collection and organize those that make the cut in a non-tangled mess kind of way. 

I have 3 utensil locations in our kitchen. 

My flatware is actually ok in its own drawer with a compartmentalized tray + add on tray beside it to corral some larger pieces. I feel like this is the easy stuff to organize.  It's all standard sizes and fits nicely in a standard utensil tray.

On the counter near my stove I keep a ceramic utensil crock that holds the stuff I use most often. 
I recognize that that looks insane and I'll admit stuff is jammed down in there but I cook a lot and I use 75% of this stuff every other day at least.  Beside that I have my Wustof knives which I honestly cannot live without. 



But then it gets tricky.  Case in point - my cooking utensils and gadgets drawer.  Does everyone have a drawer like this or am I just telling myself that to make myself feel better?  Everything is just such a different non-standard size!! 

These images are inspiring me to make a change.  Maybe I need multiple crocks?

I've always liked this look for the readiness at hand it provides you but it also looks a little like how Dexter might organize his kitchen implements...

Also Dexter-ish but I love the idea.  Can't do it with our granite island though.  

I like this idea as a way of getting things up off the counter but I don't have the necessary clearance on my backsplash to make this work. 

I LOVE this idea...gets the cups and measuring spoons out of the drawer and easy to use.  I always end up taking mine of the ring they come on anyway.

 

I once read if you have a drawer like this you should, over the course of a month, take out and leave out every piece as you use it.  At the end of the month whatever is still in the drawer is stuff you don't really need.  I believe that that would work but then what happens to things like turkey basters and heart shaped pancake rings?  I mean...we need these things in our lives! 

 

Do you have some magic way of organizing your utensils?  Please share!  I need to tackle this drawer, it's giving me heartburn just looking at it...