Modern kitchens have a myriad of appliances to make life easier. You have toasters to give you buttery, crunchy bread each morning and air fryers to keep evening munchies healthy.
If you live a busy life, it is tempting to stock up on appliances for small cooking tasks that are otherwise time-consuming. For example, an egg slicer makes it quick to give the kids nicely cut hard-boiled eggs.
The problem arises when you have many appliances but not enough storage space. The clutter can make your classy kitchen seem, well, less elegant.
We have prepared some practical tips for storing appliances efficiently without compromising the decor or functionality of your kitchen.
Seek Vertical Storage
Keeping seldom-used appliances up high is a simple way to declutter your countertop. Consider purchasing a stepping stool or small ladder to reach high areas so your height doesn’t prevent you from accessing vertical storage.
For example, you probably don’t use the bread-maker as much as you initially planned. Some households use waffle-makers only when cousins arrive for the Christmas holidays. Appliances like these can easily stay atop the kitchen cupboard or pantry.
Some of us may find keeping appliances on the counter handy and time-saving. However, the stress-relieving benefits of reducing clutter are well-established, and few things scream clutter as loudly as a crowded countertop.
Interestingly, newer storage ideas, like vertical spaces, can immensely benefit in cutting visual clutter. A new study in Nature observed that viewing less cluttered scenes makes time seem more expansive. Our brain feels it has viewed the scene for longer.
On the other hand, cluttered images (yes, that wretched countertop we discussed) make us feel constricted. On stressful days, you will likely find it a blessing to feel time passing and remember more details!
Organize Appliances by Task
Big tasks like baking cookies or squeezing fresh juice for a family of ten can take considerable time. It gets more cumbersome if you have to scout for your tools in various drawers and cabinets. A helpful storage idea is to flesh out the major tasks you perform in the kitchen and group appliances accordingly.
For example, making cold-pressed juice may need a citrus squeezer, a juicer, and a strainer. You can store the juicer in a base cabinet and stock the smaller tools in the drawer above.
Similarly, if you value your morning cup of joe more than life itself, keep your coffee maker, coffee beans grinder, and electric kettle in a designated nook. You can also store smaller tools, like a frother or a coffee weighing scale, in a nearby basket.
Don’t let people demotivate you about owning “too many” appliances (unless you agree!). While an egg separator may be overkill even for bakers, an air fryer is hardly unnecessary.
A recent study published in Indoor Air confirmed air frying as the least polluting cooking method. It causes lower indoor pollution than boiling and pan-frying. Moreover, it suits many tasks, from preparing veggies for a weekday pasta dinner to French Fries for a Sunday movie.
Use Dividers and Risers in Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets
Giant cabinets can be a blessing for kitchens. But they can also trigger chaos if you dump pots, pans, and appliances in one gigantic heap. It’s an avalanche waiting to happen when your toddler is old enough to open cabinet doors unassisted.
Placing shelf risers in cabinets makes tidy areas to store your wok and slow cooker. Prefer to keep heavier cookware at the base, where it is easier to put away after use.
Use the top shelves to exhibit your cherished coffee mugs or that bowl with the cherry blossoms. If you plan to redecorate or get new storage solutions for the kitchen, swap out a closed cabinet for one with a glass display. Seeing your favourite mugs, bowls, or cake stand is an excellent remedy for ennui.
Being Safe is Classy
Safety while storing appliances is essential for a household. For example, instant pots and pressure cookers need careful storage to avoid damaging the gasket, pressure valve, or seal. A malfunction can cause a pressure cooker explosion, leading to burns, scarring, or electrocution.
A significant benefit of segregated storage for risky appliances is the ability to monitor them for defects. A manufacturing defect in an instant pot may be hard to spot if hidden under a dozen other things.
Other appliances that demand additional scrutiny are your toaster and microwave. Avoid keeping them too close to the sink. Also, avoid storing a toaster on a shelf until the heat has dissipated.
Keeping these two appliances close can cause a heat exchange that won’t bode favourably for their lifespan. The safest idea is to keep them on the counter, away from each other, the sink, and flammables.
On that note, don’t delay seeking medical help for appliance-related injuries in the kitchen. TorHoerman Law recommends keeping records of the incident, like photos and videos, to claim damages for such accidents legally.
As the central point of most households, your kitchen deserves extra pampering. Tailored storage for your appliances can make the kitchen more efficient and keep it looking classy. A long-term orientation is beneficial here. A sturdy cabinet might be more expensive, but it works twice as hard as half a dozen rolling carts and temporary storage boxes.
Besides aesthetics and time savings, consider safety when selecting homes for your kitchen appliances. It will keep your family secure and enhance the longevity of your gadgets.