Kitchen Storage Ideas

General Considerations A kitchen is the most compound often-used workshop in most homes, and in order to make that workshop as efficient as possible, it's important to have the tools of the trade well-organized and easily accessible. There are a wide variety of kitchen organizing accessories available some are made for specific brands of cabinets, and others are designed to be added to standard modular cabinets. But you make your own accessories, too, custom designed to fit your needs. This brochure explains how to build common kitchen accessories that will add storage space and help you organize your kitchen better. Before you begin to build more storage space into your kitchen, first you need to know what needs to be stored. Whether you're adding space for pots and pans, dishes and glassware, trays and serving bowls, spices or packaged foods, the first step is to measure the implements you'll be storing so you know how big to build your storage units.

(1) Storing Pots and Pans Pots and pans are among the most difficult "tools" to store, because they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One way to increase cabinet storage is by adding pegboard panels to the inside of the cabinet doors to hang the most commonly used pans, then maximize cabinet storage with recessed shelves (Fig. 1 top). Use 1/4" pegboard for extra durability. If you have a choice between standard or tempered pegboard, choose the tempered - it's more water-resistant. To build pegboard door panels, first measure both the doors and the opening; the pegboard panels will have to be smaller than the door so they don't keep it from closing. Cut the panels, then mount them to the back of the doors with wood screws and spacers. Pre-made spacers are available from retailers who stock pegboard hooks. The spacers hold the panel away from the door so you can insert pegboard hooks. If your cabinet doors have magnetic or roller catches rather than self-closing hinges, you may want to replace the existing hinges with self-closing hinges. That way you can remove the catches altogether. If you decide not to replace the hinges, you'll need to remove the catches to install the pegboard panels. Then remount the catches on the bottom of the pegboard and on the floor of the cabinet.

Build your recessed shelves. If they are deep enough to accommodate the widest pans that will be set on them, but narrow enough that they won't interfere wit h the pans hanging on the insides of the doors. To build them, first mount four shelf standards (Fig. 2) on the sides of the cabinet. The standards should be placed 1/2" from the back wall of the cabinet and 1/2" from the front of the shelf. As you install them, check them with a level to make sure they are plumb, and that the slots in each of the four standards are level with each other. Then measure the distance from the face of the standard to the face of the opposite standard. Cut your shelves 1/4" shorter than this measurement. Install shelf clips on the standards, then set the shelves in place. Adjust them as necessary to provide about 1" clearance between the tops of the pans and the bottom of the next shelf.

A second strategy for storing pans is to build vertical pegboard panels that slide in and out of the cabinet, and hang pots and pans on them (Fig. 1 bottom). Use 1 x 2's or 1 x 1's (actual size is 3/4" square) as runner at the top and bottom of ft cabinet. Be sure and space the panels so there is plenty of room for the pans you plan to store. Install the bottom runners first, gluing and screvang them to the floor of the cabinet so there is about a 3/8" gap between them. Then use the level to mark the position of the top runner, directly above the bottom runners. If necessary, fasten 1 x 2's horizontally at the front and back of the cabinet, as cleats to attach the top runners (Fig. 3). The cleats should be level with the top of the door opening. Glue and screw the top runners in place as you did the bottom runners; the runner should project down into the door opening. Measure the vertical distance from the cleats to the floor of the cabinet, then measure from the back of the cabinet to the front. Subtract 1/4" from each dimension and cut 1/4" pegboard panels to that dimension. Slide the panels in place and hang your pans.

(2) Trays and Serving Pans Large trays are also difficult to store, because they take up a lot of space and you can't stack them too high. One solution is to build vertical dividers (Fig. 4). A free-standing divider made of 3/4" plywood with wooden dowel dividers is easy to make and can be moved later if you want. To build it, first measure the door opening. The overall dimensions of the divider will have to be about 1/4" smaller so it will fit into the cabinet. Cut the top and bottom panels so they are as wide as the overall dimension of the divider, and about l" shallower than the overall inside depth of the cabinet. If you'll have a center shelf, cut it 1 - 1 /2" shorter than the top and bottom panels, to allow for the 3/4" thick side panels. Cut the side panels 1-1/2" shorter than the overall height of the unit, to allow for top and bottom panels. Mark the locations of four, side dowels (two in the front and two in back) in the center shelf. Drill all the way through the center shelf with a 3/8" doweling bit. Lay the center shelf over the top panel, centered so it is 3/4" from each edge of the top panel. Mark the locations of the holes, then drill the top panel 3/8" deep. Repeat the process with the bottom panel (Fig. 4).

Cut the dowels to length, 5/8" longer than the side panels. Drive the dowels through the holes in the center shelf, then fit the top and bottom panels in place. Glue and nail the top and bottom panels to the side panel, then glue and nail the side panels to the center shelf. If you want to cover the cut edges of the plywood, nail and glue 1/4" x 3/4" pine lattice or apply veneer tape over the edges. You can also make a built-in tray divider with solid plywood panels. Again, measure the door opening first, then size the divider to fit. You'll need enough 1 x l2 pine to make the vertical dividers and the shelf, and a piece of 1/8" lauan plywood for a backing and a top (Fig. 5).

The spacing between your vertical panels and the height of the shod dividers will depend on the sizes of the trays you'll be storing. Cut your panels, then glue and nail the shod dividers to the shelf. Glue and nail the tall dividers to a piece of 1/8" lauan plywood to hold them together at the top, then fasten the two divider sections together. Cut an "L" shaped piece of 1/8" lauan for the back of the assembly, then square the unit and attach the back (Fig. 6). Slip the unit into the cabinet and position it. Drill pilot holes at a 45 degree angle through the ends of the vertical dividers, down into the floor of the cabinet. Nail the front edges of the dividers into the cabinet.

(3) Dishes and Glassware If you don't have enough cabinet space for dishes and glassware, you can add space either by adding onto your cabinets, or by building a freestanding shelving unit. The undercabinet shelves in Fig. 7 are made of 1 x l2's; the material you use - pine, mahogany, or other hardwoods, for example - will depend on the rnatehal your cabinets are made of. To build the shelves, first decide what you want to store in them. Then measure those items: the height and width of a glass or bowl, or a stack of plates, etc. Typically, you'll have 18" to work with between the bottom of the cabinet and the countertop, so you'll want to limit the height of your shelves to about 6" to leave counter work space. Cut the top and bottom of the unit to the full length of the cabinets it will fit under; cut the vertical dividers to the full height of the unit minus 1-1/2". Use 1/8" lauan plywood for the back (Fig. 8).

Assemble the shelf, then square it and fasten the 1/8" plywood back to make it rigid. Screw and glue all connecfions for maximum strength. Brace the shelf in place under the cabinets, or have a couple of helpers hold it. Then drill and countersink 1/8" pilot holes 24" on center from the bottoms of the cabinets down into the top of the shelf, about 2" from the front of the cabinet. Take care not to drill all the way through the shelf. Fasten the shelf to the underside of the cabinets with #10 flat head wood screws. The screws should be long enough to penetrate the top of the shelving unit about 5/8" - enough to get a good grip, but not quite all the way through. Most cabinets have a lip around the lower edge, so you'll have to set the shelf in place, then measure to see how long the screws should be. Finally, predrill and countersink screw holes in the back of the shelving unit, positioned 32" on center so they will go through the wall and into every other stud. Fasten the unit to the wall.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all saftey precautions. Information In this web brochure has been furnished by Kight Home Center and the Home Center Institute / National Retail Hardware Association. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither MCI / NRHA, any contributor, nor Kight Home Center can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information In this web brochure.

© Copyright 2008 - Kight Home Center 5521 Boonville Highway / Evansville, IN / 47715 / 812-479-8281 1109 Highway 662 / Newburgh, IN / 47630 / 812-853-3361 Highway 62 at 231 / Rockport, IN / 47624 / 812-649-5044 831 Alsop Lane / Owensboro, KY / 42430 / 502-685-5000