Hidden Potential in a Tiny Kitchen Corner

(click image for larger view)

This corner of a client's tiny kitchen had huge storage potential. After taking measurements I made my suggestions (I hand draw everything, I'm not so keen on computer sketches).

The basic idea was to put a tall skinny cabinet in the corner then add shelves (attached to the corner unit) in front of the window for prep surface with room below for recycling + garbage. The window is never opened but suggested the shelves be on a hinge so they can be lifted for access to the window in case of emergency.

They ended up going with a modified version of option #1, just adding the tall open shelf unit. They figured they'd start with the shelf unit and add to it later if needed.

Room for Debate: Why We Collect Stuff

Check out this discussion over at the New York Times. They're short articles, I especially liked April Benson's "Collecting as Pleasure and Pain".

Less Stuff, More Happiness

Couldn't have said it better myself....

More Favorite (Inexpensive) Wall Hooks

iron nails

simple white hooks

bridle hook

blecka hook

overdoor hook

If you don't have the need or desire for anything fancy, here are some of my favorite inexpensive wall hooks.

Iron Nails

2"L

$12 set of 4

these get hammered directly into your wall. while they cannot hold too much weight (depending on what kind of wall you have) they're pretty cool. i love how they look in my bathroom.

White Utility Hook

2 1/2"W x 2"H x 1 1/16"D

$3.99 +

this style hook can be found in almost any hardware store.

Bridle Hook

also comes in red

5 1/2"L x 4"W x 3 1/2"D

$6.00

curved top is perfect for coats with a hook underneath for bags, umbrella, etc.

Blecka Hooks

(nickel plated option)

1 1/2" or 2 3/4"H

$4.99

these come in small and large sizes. i have them in my coat closet

Hook-Over Overdoor Hook

1"W x 4"H

flips over to fit 2 sized doors

$1.99

this style hook can be found in almost any hardware store. I have them on my front door.

More Favorite Decorative Wall Hooks

Arrow Hanger

Small Dropit Hooks

Wave Hanger

Many people I work with rent and worry about spending too much money on setting up their space. Hooks are a perfect example of how to spend money in a rental; not on big pieces of furniture, but rather on smaller things that you can easily take a reuse in your next space (lighting is a another example).

Arrow Hanger

comes in black, white, silver, grey, and red

6 1/4"W x 8"H x 1"D

$40.00 each

would be great in multiples of different colors in a kid's room or a creative studio/office

Small Dropit Hooks

comes in large size too

2"W x 3"D x 3"H

$33.00 set of 2

Wave Hanger

17 3/4"W x 4 1/4"H

$60.00 set of 2

installed down the length of a hallway would be fantastic

Favorite Decorative Wall Hooks

ghost antler coat rack by erich ginder

lacquer coat rack

coatrack dots

caribou wall hook by roost

cast iron animal hooks

A simple way to not only organize your space but also keep it neat and more functional is to install hooks. In your entry or near your front door for those without an entry like me, for coats and bags; in the bathroom for towels and clothes that need to be aired out; in the bedroom; behind doors. You may think you don't need them but once you have them, you'll wish you had more.

Here are a few of my favorite decorative hooks that aren't exactly economical but when a hook is beautiful on it's own why not?

Ghost Antler Coat Rack

11 1/2"W x 12"H x 8"D

$230.00 each

these look amazing in groups or by itself

Lacquer Coat Rack

40"W x 5"D x 1.5"H

$59.00

love the little slot in the back, perfect for dropping mail, magazines, or baseball caps...

Coatrack Dots

3 1/2" - 6 3/4" Diameter x 1 3/4"D

$149 set of 5

Caribou Wall Hook by Roost

10 1/2"W x 8"H x 5 1/2"D

$48.00

Blackened Iron Animal Hooks

4"W x 4 3/4"D x 3"H

$14.00 each

so cute, great for kid's rooms or a beach house

Few More Kitchen Cabinets

This kitchen is a bit smaller than the one in the previous post and this client doesn't have as many dishes and glasses so instead of having a strictly glass or dishes cabinets, we've combined the two. I used a couple tupperware bowls to keep tea packets neatly and easily at hand.

The cabinet with the alcohol is above the fridge and is for things she doesn't use that often and for excess teas (as you can see, she cannot have enough teas!!).

What I Did Today: Kitchen Cabinets

For the dishes, I've broken up the set placing some low and some higher since she doesn't need them all accessible all the time. The L-shaped cabinet in the last picture, is next to the stove so it's perfect for the oils and spices. One no brainer for kitchen storage is the perfect little turntable (lazy-susans). I use them for oils as well but for this cabinet we didn't need it.

As you'll notice, they're the only 'organizing product' used for these cabinets. You don't always need them...

After 4 Days of Intense Unpacking... Bedroom

The white cubbies were used for books in her previous home but she wants this new space to be clean, uncluttered, and sophisticated and since most of the books are paperbacks, I'm suggesting a closed cabinet for them. For now, the cubbies fit perfectly in the bedroom showcasing her 95+ pairs of shoes.

I have reasons behind everything I do and my main goal when transforming a space is to get it completed in the least amount of steps. It's important to plan things so you're not moving things around more than necessary. The books are not immediately important and can stay packed until we get the cabinets to put them in, plus they're easier to deal with packed.

I set the shoes up this way for several reasons:

- they were carefully packed and took up a lot of room in the moving boxes

- I do not know how she dresses everyday so I didn't know which ones she'll want right away

- the entire collection is visible making it easier to categorize them once the new storage piece comes; everyday shoes, special occasion, off-season, archive, etc

- since we don't have anywhere else to put them (i'll be suggesting a closed cabinet for them), they're safe and out of the way until we get the new cabinet

I know she's motivated to get the space 'done' as soon as possible so she shouldn't be living this way for too long. Will keep you posted on the progress....

UPDATE: For more pics and details, check out my Flickr.

After 4 Days of Intense Unpacking.... Entry + Living Area

At this stage, things are set up 'for now' so she can function nicely in the space. One of her filing cabinets fits perfectly near the door so it's there for now until we decide a better place or she gets another table. Or maybe we'll leave it there but cover it with a nice cloth (which she has a lot of).

I'm going to suggest a cabinet for pantry items where the leaning mirror is shown in the first pic. She cooks a lot and needs more storage space for the kitchen. The mirror is there for now as it's opposite the bedroom door so she can use it as a full length mirror.

The banker's boxes are all books and cd/dvd's. I lined them up like this without anything on top to give her the idea of how the closed cabinets I'm going to suggest will look. They'll be for the books and give a surface for the TV and other decorative pieces. The last pic shows the things not unpacked; photos, memorabilia, office supplies and some organizational pieces she already had that I haven't used at this point.

After 4 Days of Intense Unpacking.... Kitchen Details

This is not how I generally work. I've never met this client and didn't see pictures of her previous home. She moving from the west coast but got called away on a job leaving me to unpack on my own, and 1 week until she came to town (which was really 4 1/2 days, I have other clients you know). The goal was to unpack as much as possible to see what additional storage she may need.

I unpacked the kitchen first as kitchen stuff takes us so much room when packed and I needed the space. She mentioned (the day after I did it) that she and her mother would do it once she got here but the thing is, nothing makes you feel more at home in a new space than when you can use your own dishes and make a meal right away. She can always tweak things like if I happen to put the dishes she used the most on the upper shelf.

I doubt she'll keep it but I LOVE the rug in here. It fits perfectly, is super comfy underfoot, and is really beautiful.

Wednesday

Just after the movers left. Forgot to take pics of the bedroom which has about 3 more garment boxes, 10 other large boxes, mattress and boxspring on their sides against the wall to give me room to move around... OH! And you may have noticed the new elfa system in the closet that was installed just before the movers came.

Tuesday

(living room to the left, bedroom to the right)

This is a client's new rental apartment the day before the movers came...

Stay Tuned...

(afraid i do not know any of the photo credits...)

Sorry for the lack of posts. I'm helping two separate clients get settled into their new apartments. Working 8hr days while keeping up with my regular clients has left me quite exhausted. The good news is I'll have some projects to show you very soon so please stayed tuned!!

In the meantime, here's a few pics from my inspiration file...