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Organize Kitchen Cabinets

Insiders Tip: How To Organize The Kitchen Cabinets The Smart Way

It’s a secret that seems to be impossible to discover – how to organize the kitchen cabinets so you always find what you need without endless searching.

While there isn’t just one perfect way to do this, there are some smart ways to make the most of your cabinets without piling them full, constantly having to bend over or reaching way over your head.

The first step is to clean out all your cabinets, purge whatever you don’t need and then get ready to start organizing.

Use Different Storage Containers

Product packaging isn’t always your best friend. This is why using square or rectangular storage containers helps you make the most of your cabinets. Store cereal in clear airtight containers that stack easily. Do the same with cookies and crackers. Whenever possible, transfer items to containers that are easy to stack and easy to see inside of.

Assign One Function To Each Shelf, Drawer or Cabinet

Are your spices stored over multiple cabinets? Maybe your canned goods are all over the place. Take the time to assign a single function to every drawer, shelf and cabinet. For instance, you might have one drawer just for eating utensils and another for cooking utensils. One cabinet might be dedicated strictly to baking dishes and pans. It may take some trial and error to figure out what works best where, but it’s well worth the time. Don’t forget you can have your kitchen cabinets custom made to best fit your needs.

Utilize Drawer Organizers

Drawer organizers can be your best friend. Just remember, use organizers wisely to avoid losing space in your cabinets and drawers. These organizers keep your drawers from becoming a free for all. Organize any smaller items, such as utensils quickly.

Take Advantage Of Lazy Susans

A Lazy Susan is a must-have for organizing kitchen cabinets. Of course, they’re also ideal for organizing your countertops and other areas too. Easily get to those hard to reach items by placing them on a Lazy Susan. You can even have a pull-out version for those back corner cabinets. If it happens to get cluttered, check out these tips for organizing even the messiest Lazy Susan.

Put Your Most Used Within Easy Reach

No matter what else you do, always put your most used items within easy reach. If you use a certain frying pan often, don’t put it on the bottom of a stack in the back of your cabinet. If possible, dedicate a cabinet to your most used cooking supplies. The less you have to reach, the easier it is to get more done.

Use Pullout Shelves

Pullout shelves work much like drawers. However, they ensure you’re able to reach everything in the back without any problems. This is ideal for items that may be hard to see, such as spices or pot lids. Be careful not to put heavier items on these as it may cause the shelf to bow when you pull it out.

Hang Small Things On Cabinet Doors

Don’t forget about all the space that’s on the inside of your doors. Kitchen cabinets are often used to store smaller items. For instance, consider placing hooks on the door that you use to store pots and pans. Hang lids and cooking utensils for easy reach. You can also place small baskets inside the door to store sponges, storage bags and other smaller items.

Hang Bulky Or Oddly Shaped Items

You don’t always have to stack everything in your kitchen cabinets. Sometimes you gain more space by hanging oddly shaped items. Place hooks at the top of your cabinets to hang larger pots or any bulky items. You then leave the bottom of the cabinet free to store stackable items or even smaller odd-shaped items, such as waffle makers.

Eliminate Reaching Back With Pullout Baskets

Much like pullout shelves, pullout baskets work well to organize your kitchen cabinets and eliminate too much bending and reaching. These are ideal if you don’t already have pullout shelves built-in. You can get them in various sizes to organize like items. For instance, if you don’t need a spice cabinet, have a smaller pullout basket to store all your spices.

Keep A Sturdy Stepstool On Hand

Finally, you’ll need a sturdy stepstool from time to time to reach those items stored at the very top of your cabinets. These are items you rarely use. However, you’ll save time by having a small stepstool hanging on the outer side of your cabinet.

Want to learn how to better organize your kitchen cabinets through custom sizing, shelving and organizational features? Contact us today to find out how we can help.

Image: cooktime

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Five Tips on Designing a Kitchen With Personality and Functionality

Your kitchen is where memories are made, home cooked meals are shared and the family gathers to share their day. The design itself can make the room appealing, easy to use and spacious looking. While designing a kitchen may seem overwhelming here are five tips on designing a kitchen with functionality and your own personality.

  1. Include something unique. Whether it’s a certain non-traditional color scheme or adding your grandmother’s pots and pans to a pot rack, including a piece of yourself to the design will make it more comfortable and appealing. Don’t feel that you have to make it look like everyone elses kitchen, go with what you feel makes it your kitchen.
  2. Don’t Overcrowd. Part of making any kitchen spacious is by not adding too much to the equation. Even your countertop area can add a sense of roominess by not putting too many things on it. Add the essentials but don’t create an area that looks cluttered; areas that have more space typically look cleaner as well.
  3. Utilize Cabinet Space. Cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling have two important functions – they create more storage room and keep the kitchen clean. Not only is trying to reach the tops of the cabinets to clean awkward but you’ll enjoy having more room to store kitchen items. It not only looks great but is functional as well.
  4. Consider a Transitional Kitchen. A transitional kitchen combines two important elements of any kitchen – traditional and contemporary. By merging both elements you get a kitchen area that not only has balance but allows for each family member’s likes to be included. A good example is stainless steel appliances with natural wood cabinets; a man-made product and a natural product in harmony.

No matter how you want your kitchen to look, the perfect look is one that incorporates your unique tastes and decorating preferences.
For a free quote on your new kitchen design, contact us. Our work is professional, timeless and elegant.

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Options in Kitchen Appliances

Cooktops; ranges; wall ovens and warmers; grills; hoods and vents; refrigerators and freezers; microwaves; dishwashers; disposals and compactors; there are many, many options to consider when you’re looking into kitchen appliances. The above named are just the major appliances. You also have to decide on countertop appliances such as toasters; blenders and food processors; coffee makers; slow cookers like crock pots; and griddles and waffle makers. The great thing about your kitchen appliances is that they can become elements of the design style of the kitchen, for example stainless steel refrigerator and a oven with dark colored cabinetry creates a modern feel of the kitchen; or can blend in with the cabinetry, such as a hideaway dishwasher and trash compactor.
Regardless of the design style you choose, Edgewood Cabinetry is in the business of building and installing beautifully crafted custom cabinetry, islands, and storage options that will fit any décor and appliances in your kitchen. During the design process, advise the craftsmen of the options you want to implement in your kitchen, whether it be framing for your major appliances and storage for your small appliances, and they will work to bring your vision to life. If you like to shop around, feel free to take on the Price Match Challenge: check a different store to find out the total price of the stock cabinets of your choice, including installation, get a quote for custom built and installed cabinets from Edgewood Cabinetry, and see which option holds more value for you. Contact us for more information today.

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Designing a Kitchen: Which is the Right Wood for You?

Designing a kitchen is a complex process.  From the floor to the backsplash, the appliances to the lighting, there are a great many style considerations to think about.  But perhaps the most important choice you’ll make in designing your dream kitchen is the cabinetry, the heart of your room.
Here are some tips on choosing the right wood cabinetry for your unique design style:

  • If you’re designing a sleek, modern kitchen, then walnut or dark cherry cabinets are the way to go.  The warm, rich tones of walnut cabinetry will complement a kitchen design that favors clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, while deep cherry cabinets are a perennial favorite for achieving a luxurious effect, especially when coupled with cream tones elsewhere in the room.
  • Maple is a consistently popular choice for a bright, welcoming kitchen.  It’s neutral hue makes it a versatile cabinet selection and allows you to incorporate a bold, colorful backsplash.
  • For a rustic, country feel, nothing beats hickory.  Its beautiful tones and medium color allow it to match well with a wide array of countertops, including many varieties of granite.
  • Colored wood cabinets are making a major style comeback these days.  Of course, white cabinets have long been a favorite in classic, country-style kitchens, but we’re now seeing a resurgence in stained or painted cabinets that make a strong design statement.

Edgewood Cabinetry has the experience and skills to turn your vision into reality.  Contact us to see samples of our fine kitchens from around the Triangle area, and for a free quote for your dream kitchen!

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Innovative Wine Storage for the Kitchen

Wine bottles can be many things: collectable treasures, sentimental objects, or even just simple refreshments.  But when you incorporate beautiful wine storage into the kitchen, they can also become art.
Built-in wine storage can be stained to fit right in with existing cabinetry, or it can be painted or finished differently to create an accent piece.  Let’s look at some examples of different types of wine storage to see the variety of styles being used.
Some homeowners prefer to have their wine storage high up, such as in this traditional kitchen, which is still convenient for adults, but mostly inaccessible for curious children.  The criss-cross design offers a generous amount of bottle storage, and the bright labels add a punch of color to the room.
In this very contemporary kitchen, the built-in storage is lower to the ground, and purposefully does not match the all-white cabinetry that surrounds it.  It helps break up monotone, and also accentuates other decorative wooden elements in the kitchen.
This country kitchen epitomizes the notion that a wine storage can become decorative art in the right space.  The ornate details and geometric design draw the eye right to the wine rack, which matches perfectly with the rest of the elements in the breakfast nook and makes great use of an otherwise under-utilized corner.
These are just a few examples of how built-in wine storage can elevate your kitchen design, while also providing a practical, organized space for favorite bottles.  Contact us to learn more about designing the perfect wine storage for your home!

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