Maximize Space by Conquering How to Organize a Kitchen Without a Pantry
Are you or your loved one living in a space with a kitchen and no pantry? Let’s look at ways to maximize your space so the kitchen is usable. Add shelving to walls. Organize the kitchen drawers. Get a rolling island. Hang cooking utensils. Convert an adjacent area for kitchen storage.
Seniors living in assisted living might have a kitchenette for simple cooking, but no pantry. Use these storage ideas for elderly kitchen organization tips to improve their daily living.
Organize Drawers
Well-organized drawers are essential for seniors aging in place. Use draw organizers to keep items like silverware in their location. Consider installing full-extension drawers to maximize every square inch of drawer space. If you have extra drawer space consider placing extra plates or even spices, dry goods, and other items that are not traditionally placed into drawers. A pro offering organizing services to seniors can help you think outside the box with your drawers if you have more drawer space than other kitchen storage items
Gain Space with Upgraded Cabinets
Add wire racks to cabinets or install pull-down shelves for cabinets that are tall. Both of these are excellent options for seniors. Pull-down shelves are considered a safety feature in an aging-in-place strategy. Kitchen safety for seniors is focused on reducing falls and these do this. They eliminate the need for the elderly to use a footstool to access hard-to-reach upper cabinets.
Add Shelves to Wall Space
Wall space is underutilized in most kitchens. How to organize a small kitchen without a pantry, well use all the wall space you have immediately. There are countless options for easy-to-install wall shelves that will fit your needs and decor. For the most part, these shelves should showcase your decorative bowls, plates, and other visually appealing items that are used in the kitchen. As a result, you can brighten the mood in a small kitchen by maximizing the wall space you do have.
Use Countertops Efficiently
Countertops in small kitchens without a pantry are generally small as well. However, it is essential to keep them organized and use them for minimal storage so you have room to cook and keep a few regularly used items. A small box shelf is a way to gain space for storing oils and spices right where they are used most.
Add a Lazy Susan to Countertops
Lazy Susan’s are excellent options for increasing the available storage space on a countertop. Keep frequently used items on the Lazy Susan.
Set Up a Rolling Island
A rolling island cart is a space that maximizes. These kitchen add-ons offer additional counter space for chopping, prepping, and cooking. As well as, drawers, open shelves or cabinet space that is much needed in a small kitchen setting. All different sizes of rolling island carts are available so get one that fits your decor and needs.
Add a Sideboard
A sideboard is a secondary piece of furniture that is often used to store dinnerware, special silverware, and serving bowls or platters. However, use this space as a hidden pantry to store dry goods, canned goods, and other items that store at room temperature, but you prefer not out in the open on a countertop.
Hang Utensils, Pots, and Pans
Pots, pans, and long utensils like spatulas, whisks, and ladles can hang from hooks. If you have wall shelves installed adding hooks below them to support additional kitchen tools can work well. Hanging racks fixed to the ceiling above the stove area or sink is another way to utilize space that is difficult to use. Hanging these items up immediately frees up large cabinet space and precious real estate on countertops.
Stack Containers on Top of the Fridge
The refrigerator top is often empty space. Seniors aging in place should avoid adding things to the top of a fridge unless they can easily reach the items. However, a family caregiver residing with them may consider adding a series of clear plastic containers to hold dry goods up and out of the away. When counter space is greatly needed use the fridge top to gain some storage space. Use a square plastic bin for holding towels.
Repurpose an Adjacent Area
If the kitchen has a nook nearby use this space for dry goods. A professional organizer will have ideas on how to best use additional space in the house. Some seniors need storage for other belongings and important documents so any space that is used for kitchen supplies and dry goods must be done wisely. Try and avoid using a kitchen nook as a dumping ground for kitchen-related items. Be smart about what is staying in the kitchen and consider downsizing when appropriate.
Hang Mugs
If cabinets are small and filled with other essentials. Store your coffee and tea mugs on hooks. On the positive side, this keeps them readily available for coffee and tea in the morning or afternoon.
Use tiered Storage
A tiered basket is excellent for storing all kinds of different items. I recommend keeping fruit like apples, oranges, and bananas in a tiered basket on a countertop. Place it on a rolling island cart or use one in your kitchen nook shelves to increase space for storing items like rice and pasta.
An Organized Kitchen Sets the Stage for Aging in Place
As a family caregiver take the time to plan the design and layout of a kitchen for a senior living alone. A small kitchen without a pantry is still very functional with proper planning. Seniors that formerly had a large kitchen may need to take some time to get used to less pantry space. However, rightsizing as we age includes having less to manage. Don’t forget a place for dog or cat food if there is still a furry friend in the home. Getting a bin to hold all the pet food and supplies is a smart way to handle this and keep it in another area of the home.