Finally!!

Progress to show you.

A little from yesterday, but mostly from today.

I started by chiseling divots into 3 cabinet shelves.

We had to make this cabinet 3” less wide, for it to look right with our wall opening. It would have looked goofy it if but up right along the opening edge, so my uncle macgyvered it a bit smaller. That meant the shelves also had to be cut down, and then chiseling little depressions, so it would sit on the pegs.

Anywaaaaaaaaay….

I am thrilled that all of my kitchen belongings actually FIT. This is a first! We really maximized the space we had. I’m still in shock about it actually, and there is even a bit of leftover space.

On thing that I was excited about was getting this set of wood plates out of their box. My grandma gave me these, which were a purchase on a trip to Fiji with my grandpa. :)

Dakota watched, while I organized.

Ahh, I figured out the puzzle of this cabinet! Organized just how I wanted it. This cabinet holds most of the bowls + plates you see me use for the blog. It’s also where I store all of my mugs. The white mugs match our dinnerware + the mugs below are things I’ve collected/been gifted over the years.

If you are tight on space in your cabinets, but have some dead space about cups/bowls/etc, definitely check out a raised shelf insert! You can see the one I have below. I think it’s from Target. I’ve had it for a long time!

I love mugs!!!

Okay…bowls + plates too!

The shelves are in but only about 1/2 full. Excess space probably means I should make a trip to Crate + Barrel. Don’t you think?

Glassware is to the left of the sink and right by the dishwasher, for easy unloading. The bottom shelf are the glasses we use most often. They’re pint glasses from breweries, and the “rings” set of pint glasses from Crate + Barrel. On the 2nd shelf are our 6oz + 12oz “rings” glasses and stem-less wineglasses. The wineglasses were $1.99 at C+B a few years back! The 3rd shelf are mostly odd shaped glasses. We have some funky beer glasses that can’t be stacked, so they live on the 3rd shelf. The 4th shelf is mug overflow. The top shelf is practically empty!! Woohoo!

It’s best to think about what you use most often and put that on the first shelf. I don’t mind grabbing a step stool, once in awhile, for things I don’t use frequently.

Our everyday plates + bowls are also right next to the dishwasher. The top shelf holds casserole dishes and plates that I don’t use as frequently. I definitely need a step stool to get up there!!

Again, same idea here. The most used to least used, from the bottom up.

The silverware drawer is directly next to the dishwasher, which I love! I just bought a new utensil organizer, that holds a lot more than the previous one. These organizers are around $10-20, but last forever and really do help keep things organized. I got this one at Target, but they also have a huge selection at Bed, Bath and Beyond. In this drawer, I also put very frequently used items, without making it too cluttered.

all flatware
measuring spoons [I have a lot and want another set…actually I just need more Tablespoons]
measuring cups
can opening
microplane/zester
silicone tongs
pizza blade – not used frequently, which makes this a perfect spot [under the tongs]

I use everything in this draw practically everyday!

Garbage can pull-out!!! I absolutely love this. It also keeps Dakota out of our trash when we’re not home. If we didn’t put the garbage in one of the cabinets, I’m not sure where it would have gone. Ikea [where we got our kitchen cabinets] does not have an under-counter garbage feature. So, I ordered one of their cabinets and fitted it out with a garbage can pull system from Lowes. Perfecto!

The hidden corner, lazy-susan cabinet! I used to have all of my spices on this shelf, but I hated that they would slide around when I pulled the shelf out. Also, since this shelf doesn’t completely pull out, I would always lose some in the back. Now, I have loaded this up with plastic wrap, foil, sandwich bags, parchment, etc. Oh, and popsicle molds, obviously.

I like that there is room behind, in case I pick up a few boxes before using these up. I can store the extras easily, without “losing” them, like the small spice jars.

Below I have:

vita-mix
mixing bowls
mini food processor
hand mixer

The vita mix is right in front, since I use it often. I don’t mind having this tucked away in a cupboard. I still use it just as much as if I would leave it on the counter. I’m glad to get as many appliances “hidden” as possible!

To the left of the dishwasher is a cabinet with 3 drawers, that have varying heights.

In the first drawer, I bought an organizer, so my spatulas, serving pieces, etc. aren’t a jumbled mess.

First divider: straws, ice cream scoop, random spoons

Second divider: spatulas + other silicone tools

Third divider: serving spoons/forks + soup spoons

And now my spices live in the 2nd drawer and I am LOVING their new location!!!

It’s so so so much easier to find what I’m looking for. All of the labels are staring right up at me. I used 4oz + 8oz mason jars [from Ace Hardware] to store almost all of my spices. The plastic bag has overflow bulk spices, waiting to be used. At Natural Grocers, they have a huge bagged spice section. I love not having to buy new jars each time! Whole Foods typically has a bulk spice section, where you can fill a bag with however much you want of each spice. Love that too!

The third drawer has tupperware, water bottles, + my immersion blender/hand mixer. A little random but it works.

To the right of the stove, are my wood mixing utensils. I’m a huge fan of wooden spoons + spatulas! I’m still filling this drawer with other random things that I use frequently.

Metal utensils + olive oil on the counter. Not sure if these will stay here…

A few items below the stove.

The lazy susan to the left of the stove still needs a bit more organizing. The top shelf are frequently used items.

s+p
nut butters
oil sprays
honey
bottles of sauce that don’t need refrigeration
etc.

I was so excited to realize our pots + pans fit on the shelf below!! It’s hard to tell here, but they have enough room and are very easy to access. Woohoo!

Under sink!

I’m not sure where to put the stand mixer. It matches the kitchen pretty well, so I might leave it out. I don’t use it too frequently, but I don’t want to clog up too much cabinet space with it.