How to Maximize Kitchen Space

This post is sponsored by ShelfGenie; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I downsized my house a couple of years ago and while I absolutely love the smaller size, I’m always looking for ways to organize and maximize kitchen space in order to make the living areas the most useful.  It isn’t about the size of the kitchen as much as it is about the layout and my kitchen just got an upgrade that’s made it so much more functional!

I love my kitchen.  It’s bright and open and I have quite a bit of cabinet space.  My problem isn’t with the number of cupboards I have but with the style, the tiny half shelf situation {you know what I’m talking about, right?}, the wasted space, and the limited organization that the cabinets allow.

I use a stacking or nesting method to try to organize …

… but some cupboards are just disastrous.  The cupboard that houses water bottles and plastic storage containers is almost always out of control.  We reorganize it regularly but because we’re constantly reaching into the back of the cabinet, trying to find different lids and other items, things get knocked over and it looks messy far too often.

That’s why I was so excited about getting custom home storage from ShelfGenie!

Personal Consultation with ShelfGenie

I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted in my kitchen and what would help me organize more efficiently but Kamey, my personal consultant, was a wealth of knowledge.

She assessed my kitchen, acknowledged the problem areas, and gave me invaluable design assistance to create useful spaces and upgrade the organization.

We talked about all the possibilities for the kitchen cupboards and Kamey drew up a plan on the software.

She laid out every upgrade that we talked about {glide-out shelves, upgraded slides on certain drawers, and an updated lazy susan for my corner cabinet} and then I was able to pick and choose what I wanted to do right now, based on the budget I had allowed.  Conveniently, this plan will always stay in the system so I can easily add the other components later on without going through the consultation process again.

ShelfGenie Installation

Once the plan was in place, the installer came out to do final, exact measurements and then the wheels were set in motion for my upgrade.

When the custom glide-out shelves were built, the installers came back out to put them in place.

I was a bit worried about how this system would work since many of my double cupboards have a stile in the middle but ShelfGenie has a perfect solution.  They remove the stile, making a very thin cut along the top and bottom …

… then attach it to one of the cabinet doors, touch up the paint, and everything looks the same when the cupboard doors are closed.

The only difference is the stile swings out with the door and you can now access the entire space in the cupboard, meaning a full-sized glide-out drawer can be installed to fully maximize that space!  A total game changer!

The installation process was so simple.  The bottom drawers were installed {this one has adjustable dividers}, then the top glide-out drawers were installed over them.

Organized, Maximized Kitchen Space

The final upgrade is amazing!

I added glide-out shelves to four different cupboards, including my island {my island opens on both sides so those drawers glide out both ways!} and I can’t believe the convenience and organization it’s added.

I can easily access my heavy mixer and bread maker {the glide-out drawers hold up to a hundred pounds!}, slide the shelves out to get any of my pans or skillets {even my large roasting pan that’s always been a hassle to get to} …

… and the disastrous cabinets are a thing of the past!

Now each item has a space, lids are tucked into adjustable dividers, and we can reach everything.

The drawers pull all the way out of the cupboard so even the back items can be fully accessed.  

ShelfGenie has put everything I need within reach, maximized my kitchen space, and given my home a custom upgrade that I love!

Are you looking for a way to maximize your home?  ShelfGenie can upgrade the pantry {that’s next on my wish list!}, your linen closet, or even a piece of furniture like an armoire.  Schedule your free consultation today!