Impossible Cabinet Organization? We Have Clever Solutions
If your kitchen cabinets seem impossible to organize, you're not alone. From upper shelves shrouded in shadows to stubborn blind corners, it's no wonder these spaces end up chaotic catchalls.
But before you resign yourself to a lifetime of precarious climbing or endless rummaging, know there are handy storage solutions to conquer even the most unruly cabinet terrain.
Why Cabinets Are So Hard to Access
Kitchens are designed first and foremost for cooking, not accessibility. Areas like up high shelving or the back of lower base cabinets inevitably become troublesome dead zones.
And while occasionally teetering on countertops to reach that top shelf may seem harmless, it poses serious safety risks. Not to mention the difficulty it causes for children, elderly family members, or those with disabilities.
Dangerous Stepping Stunts
Unstable maneuvers to access cabinets can lead to dangerous falls. Makeshift stepping stools like piled up chairs or climbing onto counters to reach are hazardous.
Underused Storage Space
Blind corner nooks and awkward angles above the highest shelves often get ignored entirely, wasting functional space. Without smart solutions, they essentially become inaccessible.
Accessibility Challenges
Upper cabinets and hard to maneuver areas often require unsafe stretching, climbing onto counters, or getting out a precarious step ladder even for adults. For kids, the elderly, or mobility-challenged individuals, they're functionally unusable.
Step Up Your Storage Game
Smart Step Stools
A step stool provides safe and stable extra reach on lower cabinets. Look for lightweight options with special features like:
- Non-slip steps for stability
- Support handles for balance
- Fun patterns and textures to match your style
- Folds flat for convenient storage
Sliding Storage Shelves
Installing pull-down sliding storage systems allows you to access items without any climbing. Useful options include:
- Upper cabinet sliding baskets with a spring mechanism
- Deep roll-out drawers on lower cabinets
- Roll-out trays inside base cabinets
Lazy Susans
The classic lazy Susan creates a spinning carousel to reach items stored at the back of corner cabinet spaces. Consider:
- Standard models for 90deg corners
- Super Susans for angled corners
- Multi-level lazy Susans to maximize vertical storage
Take Your Cabinets Vertical
While upper cabinets or high shelving may seem out of reach, specialized ladders provide access without precarious climbing.
Library-Style Ladders
Rolling library ladders add sophistication while literally elevating your storage functionality. Features like:
- Smooth rollers guided along a ceiling mounted track
- Handy wheel brake for stability climbing up and down
- Locks in place at ends of cabinet run
Ensure you have adequate horizontal clearance for the ladder to fully extend without blocking walkways.
Counter-Mounted Ladders
More compact ladders attach directly to countertops instead of the ceiling. Consider key factors like:
- Brackets or clamps to firmly secure the ladder
- Safety additions like auto-locking wheels at ends
Double check weight limits before loading up shelves!
Strategize Your Storage
When organizing cabinets, think about item properties like weight, use frequency, and storage needs. Then designate spaces accordingly.
Weight and Bulk
Heavy pots and pans or bulky platters are inconvenient to haul up and down from hard to reach areas. Save overhead cabinet space for lightweight bags, baskets, or holiday items used less regularly.
Frequency of Use
Store frequently used dishes, glasses, and ingredients within easy reach. Save the upper or deep base cabinet spots for appliances like mixers brought out less often.
Special Storage Needs
Consider unique organizational needs too - allocate pull-out trays for messy can goods or oils to catch drips, install slide-out divided drawers tailored to utensils and tools.
Don't put up with hard to reach cabinets limiting your storage capabilities or complicating your kitchen's accessibility.
Even the most stubborn organizational challenge can be solved with smart solutions like step stools, space-saving slides and ladders overhead.