A while ago, I blogged about an empty nester couple’s small kitchen issues. Sometimes, though, the problem is too much space. Here’s a story about adjusting a generously sized kitchen for a family’s needs.
Beth and her husband had recently moved their three school-aged children into a new home with a gorgeous kitchen, yet she was frustrated. She had wanted the kids to start being self-sufficient, and had carefully put the glasses in a cabinet they could reach. But the kids kept coming to her each time they were thirsty. Beth enjoyed baking with her children, and now it felt more of a chore. Her kitchen was spacious and orderly, but it didn’t seem to work well for her family. She called me to see if I can help.
Beth had kept like items with like when she unpacked, so the drinking glasses were together in one cabinet. It’s a great basic organizing strategy. But when we toured the kitchen, I noticed the glasses was placed on the other side of the kitchen’s central island, far away from the sink. That meant lot of traffic around the island just to get a drink of water. Most of the baking equipment was spread through three bottom cabinets, and some of the rest was jumbled in other cabinets across the kitchen with different appliances. Nothing was hard to find, but everything took more effort than necessary.
First we tackled the glasses problem. A low cabinet near the sink was perfect, but it was taken up by spices, coffee mugs, and condiments. Since the mugs were rarely used, it made more sense to move them to the cabinet that used to hold the glasses. We shifted the spices to a drawer near the stove top, giving Beth direct access to them while cooking. Despite the culling Beth had done before her move, as we went through the shelves she was able to bid good-bye to a number of items she didn’t find useful anymore.
To make baking easier, we sorted out all the baking equipment, consolidated by appropriate categories into three bottom cabinets, and made sure active items were placed up front. The holiday baking equipment, which she’d only need one or two times a year, was stacked towards the rear. Here, too, Beth was able to set aside a pile of giveaway pans and appliances she no longer needed. She felt very relieved with the end result.
Best of all, I heard back from Beth a few days later. Her youngest son had noticed the change immediately and had been thrilled to get himself a glass so easily right by the sink. She quoted him, “It was awesome!”
Side note: These blog stories feature real clients and their organizing solutions. To maintain client privacy, all names have been changed.