How to Make the Most of Your Counter Space

Does your kitchen feel more like a ship's galley than a gourmet
retreat? Look to your drawers, cupboards and walls to free up valuable
kitchen countertop real estate.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start by clearing off your counters and scrubbing them down.

2. Determine which items you use several times a week, such as the toaster and coffeemaker. Keep them out.

3. Think of your countertops as triangles of work space: Keep your knives and chopping boards in the same area, and store your cooking utensils to the side of your stove for quick and easy meal preparation.

4. Opt for smaller, sleeker appliances to grace your countertops-- they'll take up less room now and will be easy to store later. Identify the appliances you don't use often, and stow them in a drawer or cabinet space.

5. Mount a toaster oven, microwave, paper towel holder or an electric can opener under your overhead cabinets.

6. Incorporate a rolling butcher block island into your kitchen if possible. It will add not only more storage space, but a cutting board and utility area as well.

7. Designate one area for paperwork, notes and mail that tends to pile up on the counter. Find a place for your tickler file (see 10 Set Up a Reminder System). Also see 7 Deal with a Flood of Mail and 184 Conquer Your Paper Piles.

Tips & Warnings

• See 311 Stow Pots and Pans.
• If you have a collection of bulky appliances you rarely use (ice-cream maker, pressure cooker, bread maker), invest in a baker's rack. Or stash them outside the kitchen (the top shelf of the linen closet, the garage) or above the refrigerator and bring them out as needed.
• If you have space, add a small center island that has storage underneath.
• Are your dish towels in a soggy heap on the counter? Stow them away with a towel hook or bar in the cupboard under your sink.