AARP HomeFit: Kitchen Storage

Here are some ideas for making the most of kitchen space:

Illustration by Colin Hayes

Storing Pots and Pans in drawers (see above, left) or on open shelves rather than in cabinets makes cookware easier to locate and is friendlier to backs and knees. (No more bending, stooping or stretching while searching for a skillet or digging it out from the back of a deep, dark cabinet.)
Adding a Turntable to a corner cabinet can make pots, bowls and other items more accessible.
If Medications are stored in the kitchen, keep them away from any heat source. If small children live in or visit the home, keep medicines (as well as cleaning products and other toxins) out of reach or in a locked space.
If the kitchen has a walk-in Pantry, ensure that the space is well-lighted and has adjustable shelving to accommodate varied content heights. Protect against tripping by not using the floor for storage.
If a Step Stool is needed for reaching higher shelves, select one that has grip handles and nonslip surfaces. Another option is to use a “reacher” or “grabber” stick, which allows a user to stand at floor-level while retrieving items from an otherwise inaccessible spot.
Although wall cabinets typically come with just one or two shelves, Extra Shelves are often available from the manufacturer or a home improvement store. Added shelving can allow mugs, bowls, glasses and stacks of plates to be stored without wasting vertical space (see above, right). Another benefit: When the lower portion of a wall cabinet provides two or three levels of storage, more items can be kept within easy reach. The very high shelves can store extra or infrequently used dishes.