Thursday, August 16, 2007
more tiny kitchen storage
I needed a place to hang some kitchen utensils but I didn't have any space in my kitchen except for the side of the cabinet next to the sink. Trouble was I couldn't find any bars short enough for the 11-inch depth of the cabinet. I spent way too long thinking up the obvious answer: use a cabinet handle instead. (Since they attach from a screw from the inside of the cabinet* the handle would't work as a solution for a wall.)
Note: This is obviously not something you would do to kitchen cabinets you like a lot as it will leave rather large holes. I do not love my cabinets.
I wanted to use hooks that wouldn't fall off the bars (hooks shaped like an upside down 6 instead of an S) so I had to choose a handle the hooks could slide on to. I bought 9-inch Attest handles from Ikea and Grundtal hooks that you can find in the bath section of Ikea (they fit the Grundtal kitchen stuff as well).
The only thing I took care about was to make sure the lower bar was set high enough so that the things I hung there wouldn't hang down past the bottom of the cabinet. We transfer dirty dishes from that side, through the sink and to the dishwasher or dish drainer on the left side of the sink and I could foresee becoming frustrated by knocking into the tips of the kitchen tongs if they hung too low. I was afraid my kitchen might look cluttered with even more stuff hanging out in the open, but so far it simply looks cheerful.
* I had to take some time to make that not sound naughty, I mean, the easiest way to say that is that they attach by a screw from behind. You know?
categories: the home
what a great idea! i think it looks very modern and you can daydream about meals you will make with those utensils, all while washing the dishes.
sometimes the answers/solutions are right in front of us and we don't even notice. this will forever amaze/baffle me.
i love coming to your site for inspiration. thanks!
Comment by renee — August 16, 2007 @ 5:34 am
I am totally copying this!
Comment by A different Megan — August 16, 2007 @ 5:45 am
That is incredibly clever!
Comment by lekkercraft — August 16, 2007 @ 6:20 am
What a great idea - I may have to do something similar in my new kitchen. (And isn't IKEA just the best store ever for this kind of thing?) Thanks for the inspiration!
Comment by planetjune — August 16, 2007 @ 6:56 am
I really like this. But I really like my cabinets. I don't want to screw them from behind. haha. I wish I had some sort of bar running right behind my stove that I could hang utensils on...hmm..Now, I'm going to spend my day scheming up ways to get one back there.
Comment by manda — August 16, 2007 @ 7:02 am
i love that solution - it answers a problem i've been trying to figure out for myself... can't believe i never thought of using handles! you're a genius :D
Comment by Krista — August 16, 2007 @ 7:23 am
Very clever solution, simple and tidy-looking. One could also do this to provide little towel-drying racks.
Manda, if you're talking metal utensils, could you install a magnetic knife bar, and just stick stuff to it? I luuuuv my knife bar.
Comment by JW — August 16, 2007 @ 7:45 am
Man, what a great idea! I'll ned to tuck this idea away in my mental file cabinet - I don't have the best storage in my kitchen either, but being a single person that doesn't cook, bake or entertain in huge droves, it's fine...
Comment by Jennifer — August 16, 2007 @ 8:05 am
You should submit this to ikea hacker.
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/
They are a;ways on the look out for alternative uses for ikea products.
Comment by Jackie — August 16, 2007 @ 9:11 am
brilliant !
(and SO martha, circa 1991)
Comment by kate — August 16, 2007 @ 10:13 am
It looks really great. Organized & out of the way, but within range to grab them easily (and not cluttering up a drawer!).
Comment by Sarah — August 16, 2007 @ 11:32 am
great idea! i'm not in love with my cabinets either.
Comment by maryse — August 16, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Totally brilliant Megan!! I'm going to try this AND the idea to use it as a mini towel bar. So smart! I actually love my tiny kitchen- it seems so efficient (at least that's what I tell myself).
Comment by Dawn — August 16, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
re: my entry at 10...
{remove i-didn't-explain-that-parenthetical-comment-very-well foot from mouth}
which is NOT to say that it's an idea martha had, but rather the kind of spirit of invention that made her so admirable and accessable!
but then, you all are smart enough to get that, i'm sure...
Comment by kate — August 16, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Your footnote...you crack me up.
Comment by Jen — August 16, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
I used a plain stainless steel towel bar (hanging from the soffit over the stove) as a pot rack - cost a fraction of what they wanted for a pot rack. Would also work behind the stove for utensils.
Comment by Liz — August 16, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
"* I had to take some time to make that not sound naughty, I mean, the easiest way to say that is that they attach by a screw from behind. You know? "
You would certainly increase your site traffic with phrases like that floating about. :)
I think it looks great. I have the same exact tongs (Oxo, maybe?) and I love them. I use them as much as, or more often than, my big spoon.
Comment by ex.libris — August 16, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
Also, your geranium window film looks great.
Comment by ex.libris — August 16, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Kate - Not to worry, I got your meaning the first time around, but I did enjoy the clarification!
Comment by megan — August 16, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
I love this! I am totally going to copy it.
Comment by austin — August 16, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
Re: Manda & JW
I'm guessing most bars install w/ screws from behind (teehee) which makes installing them difficult on certain surfaces.
Could you install a metal strip and use super strong magnetic hooks to hang utensils from? I have a magnetic bar (called BAR) from Ikea and use pushpin-shaped power magnets from Staples to hang necklaces and bracelets.
Comment by Grace — August 16, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
so simple yet so brilliant. i love this diy idea. it's great for small spaces.
Comment by cindy@staged4more — August 16, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
That's a lot of tongs you got there, girl!
Comment by miriam — August 18, 2007 @ 9:18 am
I LOVE your ideas for small spaces. This is great.
Comment by Amber — August 20, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
It's great Where do I find the hooks!!!
Comment by Barbara Watson — January 31, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
GENIUS!!! I'm so jealous that I didn't think of that!
Comment by ellamama — April 9, 2008 @ 6:31 am