Pantries and More
Ask the parent of a large family one of the greatest challenges in house organization, one of the most common answers is food. It takes a lot of food to feed a large family. Most houses were designed for the typical family, with a set of parents and 2-3 children. There are not accomodations for super-sized cans, numerous packages, and dozens of boxes which make up the weekly shopping trip of a LOK household. Even in a small house, there are ways to maximize your storage space in a function manner. Here are some ideas which have been implemented in other large households.
Pantry
Pantries used to be staple in older homes, where families were larger. New constructions often offer the option of a built-in pantry. If you are looking at a new home, it would be well worth the additional cost to add-on a large pantry.
If you don’t have the option of a built-in, consider creating one yourself. An underutilized closet can make a great pantry. Install adjustable wire shelving and a door rack. This particular version was done by Mary, a member of the LOK staff. The project cost approximately $75 and took only an hour to install. Click on picture for larger view.
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An awkward corner above a stairway in an old home was coverted to a pantry. The key to this unusual space is staggered shelves. The owner added additional shelves and wire organizers to further utilized the storage potential.
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A pantry does not necessarily have to be connected to the kitchen. An overflow pantry can be located in another part of the house. Use it to store stock-up food. These are the items you find on sale or need to buy in quantity. Move those items to your main food storage area (kitchen cabinets, etc.) as necessary.
Cabinets
Stand alone cabinets are a popular choice for food storage. They can be easily implemented into a kitchen layout, without the “commitment” of installation. In a variety of available sizes and dimensions, these cabinets can be good for stock-up goods, as well as everyday items.
Shelving
Sometimes there is no where to go but up. While you may dream of pristine white walls with kitchen decorations or the like, the reality may be that function must take precedence to beauty. That doesn’t mean you can’t have practicality and beauty. Use colorful storage baskets to house packages of cookies and juice boxes. Investing in sturdy containers with lively designs can make your storage decorative and practical. Another great way to make the most of space is to stagger shelves so that smaller items can be stored in a minimum area.
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Basement
The basement can be a great place for overflow food storage. Since it’s hidden storage, this option can also be very cost-effective. Plain wooden shelving can offer great and versatile storage. If moisture is a problem, items can be stored in large plastic containers. If you don’t have a basement, an attic or enclosed porch can act in the same manner.
Do you have a creative food storage idea you would like to share?
Email us and we may feature it on the site.
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