Kitchen Guides
Kitchens: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
Bothered by lack of storage or perenially cluttered counters? Find solutions to your most common kitchen troubles here
It takes a lot of planning and organisation to run a kitchen smoothly. And with growing pressures and needs, it becomes difficult to keep up the neatness one desires. Where to keep the new grill or store the extra utensils? How to get rid of the odour that refuses to go? Every kitchen is plagued by these common issues. Here are some problems we all face and suggestions to reduce those kitchen pains…
Build an island or a multipurpose unit:
If your kitchen area permits, install an island counter. It can add a large amount of storage area beneath the counter top and can double as a dining table for mealtimes in open kitchen layouts. Even in a traditional format, kitchen islands are a boon. If you do not have space for a separate island, you can add a narrow counter as an extension to your existing counter to maximise both counter space and storage space below. This image shows a dual-duty unit which can serve as a glassware display unit and a breakfast bar.
How to Style Up Your Small Kitchen
If your kitchen area permits, install an island counter. It can add a large amount of storage area beneath the counter top and can double as a dining table for mealtimes in open kitchen layouts. Even in a traditional format, kitchen islands are a boon. If you do not have space for a separate island, you can add a narrow counter as an extension to your existing counter to maximise both counter space and storage space below. This image shows a dual-duty unit which can serve as a glassware display unit and a breakfast bar.
How to Style Up Your Small Kitchen
Problem 2. When there is too much clutter
A clutter-free kitchen is all about organising better. A little extra effort can go a long way in having a systematic and well-managed kitchen.
Get a trolley:
A small portable table or trolley can be your assistant that accommodates items big and little that usually fill the counter area. You can store the cooking essentials on it and move it around as and when you need them for instant access.
A clutter-free kitchen is all about organising better. A little extra effort can go a long way in having a systematic and well-managed kitchen.
Get a trolley:
A small portable table or trolley can be your assistant that accommodates items big and little that usually fill the counter area. You can store the cooking essentials on it and move it around as and when you need them for instant access.
Adopt a pantry:
There is no better organiser than a pantry. You can yourself customise a multi-utility cabinet or a full wall cabinet for the orderly storage of a variety of things. Or else, buy a tall modular unit and arrange it according to your needs. From glassware to packaged food – you can store anything … As I said before, it is all about how well you organise!
How to Bring a Pantry Into Your Kitchen
There is no better organiser than a pantry. You can yourself customise a multi-utility cabinet or a full wall cabinet for the orderly storage of a variety of things. Or else, buy a tall modular unit and arrange it according to your needs. From glassware to packaged food – you can store anything … As I said before, it is all about how well you organise!
How to Bring a Pantry Into Your Kitchen
Problem 3. When there is no more storage
Cupboards, drawers and cabinets are not the only places where you can store goods.
Use the backsplash wall:
The space between the counter and overhead cabinets can be efficiently used by suspending ladles, spatulas, tongs, knives, etc. or smaller utensils. Fix magnets, rods or pegs on the wall to hold these. Small shelves can also be fitted to keep the spices and ingredients that you use most often while cooking. You can also let a long open shelf (maximum 7 inches high) run along the bottom of the overhead cabinets to store things that come in handy all the time.
Cupboards, drawers and cabinets are not the only places where you can store goods.
Use the backsplash wall:
The space between the counter and overhead cabinets can be efficiently used by suspending ladles, spatulas, tongs, knives, etc. or smaller utensils. Fix magnets, rods or pegs on the wall to hold these. Small shelves can also be fitted to keep the spices and ingredients that you use most often while cooking. You can also let a long open shelf (maximum 7 inches high) run along the bottom of the overhead cabinets to store things that come in handy all the time.
Overhead cabinets:
Clear up space in the ‘work’ zone by extending or adding new cabinets overhead and use them for storing the extra and less-used utensils and appliances. Consider utilising the space above the fridge to install cabinets as well.
Use the cabinet doors:
Attach small shelves on the insides of the doors of kitchen cabinets or cupboards to store the little things that usually get lost in the mix. Though fixed shelves are best in this case, pegs and rods would also do the trick. Customise the shelves according to what you need and what best fits this space.
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Clear up space in the ‘work’ zone by extending or adding new cabinets overhead and use them for storing the extra and less-used utensils and appliances. Consider utilising the space above the fridge to install cabinets as well.
Use the cabinet doors:
Attach small shelves on the insides of the doors of kitchen cabinets or cupboards to store the little things that usually get lost in the mix. Though fixed shelves are best in this case, pegs and rods would also do the trick. Customise the shelves according to what you need and what best fits this space.
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Problem 4. When there is a perpetual nasty odour
Is your kitchen smelling unpleasant? It could be the vestiges of oil from last night’s dinner, the moisture in the sink, or the trash that is causing a stench that still lingers in the air.
Or it even could be the drip tray in the back of the fridge that might need cleaning. If it smells like acetone, it might be a coolant leak – open all the windows and call the technician. An inefficient kitchen hood can leak exhaust fumes into the room.
Is your kitchen smelling unpleasant? It could be the vestiges of oil from last night’s dinner, the moisture in the sink, or the trash that is causing a stench that still lingers in the air.
Or it even could be the drip tray in the back of the fridge that might need cleaning. If it smells like acetone, it might be a coolant leak – open all the windows and call the technician. An inefficient kitchen hood can leak exhaust fumes into the room.
Follow a simple two-step process for having a fresh-smelling kitchen:
Firstly, eliminate the cause of the odour:
Make sure the kitchen is well ventilated. Clean the insides of appliances and the counter tops thoroughly; stubborn traces of spices and hidden decomposing waste materials make the smell worse.
Baking soda, charcoal and coffee grounds are great at absorbing odours. Keep some in open boxes around the kitchen. Sprinkle baking soda in the sink to get rid of the ‘wet’ smell. Use vinegar the same way if the smell of smoke or burnt food is the problem.
Firstly, eliminate the cause of the odour:
Make sure the kitchen is well ventilated. Clean the insides of appliances and the counter tops thoroughly; stubborn traces of spices and hidden decomposing waste materials make the smell worse.
Baking soda, charcoal and coffee grounds are great at absorbing odours. Keep some in open boxes around the kitchen. Sprinkle baking soda in the sink to get rid of the ‘wet’ smell. Use vinegar the same way if the smell of smoke or burnt food is the problem.
Secondly, foster fresh fragrances:
Now that you have removed the bad odours, it is time to punch in some sweet smells. There are essential oils of varied kinds available in the market; you can spray your favourite fragrance around the kitchen from time to time. Mix a few drops of an essential oil in a solution of vinegar and water to wipe the kitchen counters daily. You can also replace the essential oil with a few drops of lemon juice. This will not only keep the flies away, but also leave a fresh, lemony scent. Potpourri, reed diffusers and scented candles are best for slow but long-term effects.
Tip: Simmer pots give instant results. Simply simmering orange or lemon peels can fill the kitchen with a delicious aroma. Home-made simmer pots can also consist of common spices like cloves, cardamom, cassia or cinnamon.
7 Tricks to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh
Now that you have removed the bad odours, it is time to punch in some sweet smells. There are essential oils of varied kinds available in the market; you can spray your favourite fragrance around the kitchen from time to time. Mix a few drops of an essential oil in a solution of vinegar and water to wipe the kitchen counters daily. You can also replace the essential oil with a few drops of lemon juice. This will not only keep the flies away, but also leave a fresh, lemony scent. Potpourri, reed diffusers and scented candles are best for slow but long-term effects.
Tip: Simmer pots give instant results. Simply simmering orange or lemon peels can fill the kitchen with a delicious aroma. Home-made simmer pots can also consist of common spices like cloves, cardamom, cassia or cinnamon.
7 Tricks to Keep Your Home Smelling Fresh
Problem 5. When there is an infestation
Do you see flies on the cooktop or ants marching into the cabinet? Not to worry. Contact a local pest control company for safe pesticides that you can use in the kitchen and store rooms.
I would also suggest you try easy, eco-friendly hacks on your own. You could light camphor regularly to get rid of flies and mosquitoes. You could also plant insect-repelling houseplants like basil, lemon thyme, lavender, mint, etc. They can be safely placed in open cabinets or can be hung by the window.
Read more:
13 Top Kitchen Storage Ideas
7 Ways to Modernise Your Kitchen
Tell us:
Which of these hacks helped you in fixing your kitchen problems? Show us with pictures in the Comments section.
Do you see flies on the cooktop or ants marching into the cabinet? Not to worry. Contact a local pest control company for safe pesticides that you can use in the kitchen and store rooms.
I would also suggest you try easy, eco-friendly hacks on your own. You could light camphor regularly to get rid of flies and mosquitoes. You could also plant insect-repelling houseplants like basil, lemon thyme, lavender, mint, etc. They can be safely placed in open cabinets or can be hung by the window.
Read more:
13 Top Kitchen Storage Ideas
7 Ways to Modernise Your Kitchen
Tell us:
Which of these hacks helped you in fixing your kitchen problems? Show us with pictures in the Comments section.
Most of us have kitchens that are already full and there is no more counter space to be had. Don’t worry; there is always scope for maximising the use of what’s already there.
Use built-ins and pull-outs:
Modular units of all sizes allow us to choose according to the size of our kitchen. If you are running short of preparation space, a pull-out cutting board can be the solution. Another smart space solution is to replace large, standalone appliances with sleek built-in appliances. This makes maintenance easy and increases the available space in the kitchen.