Pots and pans piling up? Too many spices for your spice rack?
This attractive DIY idea from Jamie at C.R.A.F.T. accomplishes two things at once: It adds character and charm to a dull kitchen, and it keeps all of your most-used kitchen accessories out of the drawers. And since it leans up against the wall, it won't leave holes or glue if you ever take it down. See how it was made here, then check out the bigger and better version here.
Much like a handyman and his tools, a serious cook needs their utensils and cookware close at hand. A wall-mounted pegboard accomplishes this, and it also keeps pots and pans from clogging up the cabinets. Kate, who runs The Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking, offers this clever tutorial for mounting a pegboard where you need it most.
Free up some counter space by suspending a dish drainer or drying rack. Some retailers, like Ikea, sell their own versions which can be installed over the sink, but crafty people can build their own custom racks like Bonnie and Brett at Mythological Quarter. As a bonus, their wooden drainer also offers "passive herb watering" when plants are placed underneath the wet dishware.
There's only so much space on the fridge for hanging reminders, notes, photos and artwork. If your refrigerator is looking a bit over-run, try making a magnetic chalkboard wall like Ashley at Lil Blue Boo to handle the overspill and keep things organized. See how Ashley made hers here.
It's one thing to conveniently organize spices on a spice rack, but it's a whole 'nother thing to get that spice rack off the countertop. With just a few simple items from the kitchen supply store and a little elbow grease, you can create a magnetic spice rack like Allison from ReCreate, who fitted hers under a row of cabinets. Click here to learn how she did it.
There's nothing more annoying than rummaging through a cluttered kitchen drawer for the right measuring spoon. Solve that problem with a hanging organizer on the inside of a cabinet door, like Kendra from Simply Darrling. Not only does it keep the measuring implements organized, but it keeps them out of sight. Here's how she made it.
If you're not the type of person to keep measuring cups on hand (or the type of person who cooks, at all), you can still use the back of a cabinet door to organize the many take-out menus that accumulate on top of the fridge, or in an otherwise valuable kitchen drawer. Ashli at Mini Manor Blog suggests this simple solution from the office supply store.
