Kitchen organization is one thing all cooks need to master. But what’s the best way to organize your space? Not only do you need easy access to utensils, cookware sets and ingredients, but you also want your kitchen to look and feel good as a warm living space. While some might argue that our day-to-day lives are too compartmentalized as it is, compartmentalizing your kitchen is a necessity if you want to enjoy the time you spend there and maximize productivity. Here are some tips to help you organize your kitchen in a stress-free, aesthetically pleasing way.

Storage Drawers & Utensil Crocks

I’ve lived with and worked in some extremely small kitchens in my time, often with very few drawers. This made utensil storage somewhat problematic. In one kitchen, with only two drawers to work with, I had no choice but to put my flatware in one drawer and all of my utensils in the second drawer. Sure, I got a utensil divider for my forks, spoons, knives, etc. but I had nothing for my other utensils. Now that I have a great deal more storage space in my kitchen, I’m exploring other utensil storage options. Here are some of my favorites.

• Utensil Crocks/Caddies: Available in ceramic, stainless steel, wood and other materials, utensil crocks are a great way to keep all of those important kitchen tools at your fingertips.
  
  Available in many different sizes and colors, get 2 or 3 in colors that complement your kitchen decor and you free up your drawer space considerably for some of those non-essential utensils.



• Utensil Racks: Similar in concept to a hanging pot rack, utensil racks are easily installed on your wall and are perfect for hanging some of your big metal serving spoons, spatulas or measuring cups.

Cutlery Storage:

I don’t know about you, but I actually don’t feel a kitchen is complete without a nice-looking knife block sitting on the countertop. If you don’t purchase a cutlery set that includes a knife block, you can purchase one separately. Check out the manufacturer’s website for the knife set you purchase to see if they make their own, as most knife blocks are made to custom fit a particular series of knives. Another option that I highly recommend is a magnetic knife strip. These can be affixed to any wall or cabinet and feature a long magnet which keeps your knives within reach while you’re preparing your meal. While I wouldn’t advise using these in a house with kids running around, they are another space-saving idea to consider for a small kitchen, where counter space is a rare commodity. And they look… sharp.

Spice Racks:

I cannot stress enough the importance of having a good spice rack or two. My favorite type of spice rack is the carousel model that spins around. Alphabetize your spices and spin till you find what you are looking for. Wall mounted spice racks are fine too, as long as you don’t mind the relatively simple installation process.

Pot Racks:

Pot racks are underrated, if you ask me. Available in both a wall-mounted variety as well as the more traditional hanging style, pot racks are a great tool to help you keep your most frequently used pots and pans within reaching distance. Some models also include a storage shelf, giving you even more storage space for your money. Hanging pot racks are perfect for a kitchen with an island, while wall-mounted pot racks are great for a smaller space or a kitchen without an island.

Kitchen Carts/Portable Islands:

While not an essential accessory for every kitchen, portable kitchen carts are great if you’re looking for some really versatile storage space. You can use your kitchen cart as a microwave cart, extra storage for pots and pans or even as a small kitchen table. Some styles include close able cabinetry, while others feature open shelving good for cookbooks, spices or other ingredients. Some specialty carts even have built in wine racks or space for a trash container.

An organized kitchen is a necessity for any cook or foodie who spends countless hours slaving away over a hot stove. By taking the time to eliminate excess kitchen clutter, your time spent in the kitchen will be infinitely more rewarding and enjoyable.

A little preparation goes a long way when deciding to have your kitchen renovated. Here are a few simple things to consider.

• Because the cost of the renovation will depend on your choice of materials and finishes, it’s best to decide how much money you wish to invest and which materials you are looking to include.
• Get your house ready for the renovation team well before their arrival date. Remove items that you don’t want to use in your new kitchen, put things in boxes and label them. You’ll need a room in the house for your microwave and food requirements. Empty the fridge so it’s easier for the installers to remove and place it in a convenient position for you until the renovation is complete.
• With so much time spent in and around the sink, it’s important to choose one that not only suits the style of your kitchen but your needs too.
• The standard bench height is 900mm. However, if you are taller or shorter than the average person, ensure you have the bench height modified to suit your needs.
• Accessories in your kitchen such as prints and canisters make individual statements and finish the overall kitchen look.
• Any venting of your rangehood needs to be either to the atmosphere (externally) or recycled into the kitchen. Ensure you choose one that suits your needs and can handle the workload required.
• While it may be tempting to save money by using your existing appliances, you wouldn’t buy a new car with a second-hand engine. Your appliances are the engine of your kitchen.
• Adding a mini stereo to your kitchen design will allow you to listen to your favourite music while cooking. Why not add a flat screen monitor, TV or internet connection so you can surf the web for your favourite recipes.
• Corian® is a special formulation of natural minerals and high performance acrylic. Offering an amazing combination of creative and functional advantages, it’s a great choice for kitchen benchtops.
• CaesarStone is made from a combination of natural quartz and resins. While it has the look of natural stone, it offers more colour options and plenty of design flexibility.
• When choosing your flooring options ensure you consider comfort and safety as well as style and finish. Domestic kitchens are not immune to slips and falls. The correct flooring choice will make your new kitchen enjoyable as well as safe and practical.



• 60% of your time in the kitchen is spent around the sink area, so positioning of the sink is therefore very important.
• Think about entertaining, how many people will you want to accommodate and how your seating should be configured.
• Take lighting into account, as this can really make or break the look of your new kitchen by adding visual accents to certain spaces.
• Consider safety either for the very young or the elderly.
• Think about how many power points you will need.
• When putting together your short list of requirements, give a degree of thought to the internal fitments for your cabinets as these can often save you time and space. Companies such as Hettich specialise in a wide range of high quality options.
• The average life span of appliances is around 7-years. Using existing appliances may save you money now but in the long term may not pay dividends.
• When choosing your new appliances, ask about extended warranties which are on offer for a small cost.
• With a shortage of water on everybody’s minds right now, saving as much as we can is of primary importance. Choose water efficient tapware and ask our showroom consultants about the new ‘WELS’ Water Efficiency Rating System.
• If space and budget permits, you may wish to incorporate the latest technology into your kitchen, such as a mini stereo system or compact LCD screen. For more and more people, the kitchen is the hub of the home and technology plays an important part in the modern kitchen.
• Spend time selecting your bench top. Remember, the bench top is usually the thing that takes the majority of the workload and materials such as Caesarstone and Corian are amongst the most durable.
• Insist on being shown a fully rendered visual of your new kitchen. This will allow you to view the room properly and will enable you to be sure you have arrived at the right look.
• If in doubt about any aspect of your renovation, feel free to ask us questions.
  Your Harvey Norman Design Specialist is experienced enough to cover any points you may wish to discuss.