Friday, August 19, 2011

54 You Asked: Kitchen Cabinet Tour Q&A

First, THANK YOU all for such kind comments.  Not just to the kitchen cabinet post, but to all of them.  You are all so sweet and supportive and kind and completely feed my hunger to blog!  IHeart you all to pieces.

Not only were there great comments on the kitchen cabinet tour I posted earlier this week, but a lot of questions as well.  Why not address them all in one post I thought?  So that's what I am doing today.  So going right down the line, let's get started!


Where did you get that lovely drawer paper?


The paper was actually extra that a girlfriend of mine had from a project, and it's actually a pre-pasted wallpaper.  I found it online here if you are looking for the source.  It's easy to just peel up with no damage to the drawer when I am done, and the main reason why I did it and heart it, is because when I add in the clear dividers, I can still see pretty beneath and it really drives me to keep the drawers clutter free!




Where can I find those nice sized acrylic containers that you used in places such as your junk drawer?

The acrylic drawer dividers that are in my utensil drawer were actually found at Target, however, I have since gone back for more and can no longer find them.  I have however, found similar versions on Amazon and Organize.com as well.  The one in my junk drawer was from Ikea {for around $3}.



Are your freezer organizing containers specifically made for the freezer or just regular plastic containers?


They are actually Multi-Purpose Bins from The Container Store in the medium size and they work PERFECTLY for corralling all those bags of veggies and fruits and chicken nuggets and french fries.  We totally love how they tamed the freezer beast, and the cost is great to boot!




Where did you get the milk containers?


They are these ones from Amazon and they each hold a half-gallon of milk or juice.  Why do I do it?  I have always loved milk in glass because I feel like it stays fresher and colder.  That's just my crazy opinion though, I am sure there is nothing scientific to prove that.  Plus, gotta love that it's much prettier to place on the table at breakfast, especially when entertaining!




Where did you get those great glass storage for food in your fridge?


I have slowly been growing my glass storage container collection, they are all mostly Anchor Hocking pieces, you can find them just about anywhere such as Amazon, Target or Walmart.




Where did you get your kitchen rug? 


I found it at Macy's.  IHeart it.  Make sure to Google around for coupon codes like I did!!





I'm in the deep abyss wagon aka pull out drawer freezer. Any suggestions for that?

It's hard for me to answer that since I personally don't have one, however, my guess is the same concept with the bins that I use could totally work if they fit.  And freezing meals and sauces flat in baggies and then standing them up in a filing system manor?  Whenever I am stumped, I Google around for image inspiration help!

{source}



Where are your sifts, strainers and colanders?

They are actually also tucked inside the lazy susan with the pots and pans, right next to the stove and sink!





The dishware that you have for the kids, is it plastic/acrylic?


I shared my switch to glass for the kid's here when I hopped on the BPA free bandwagon.  So far so good, I have broken a couple of the glasses, but they haven't which is funny to me.  However, before you go all glass just for BPA purposes, do your research as a lot of kid's dishes are already BPA free, it should say right on the packaging, or else you can Google around by brand.



Did you install the pull our shelf or was that in your cabinets to begin with?


We were lucky enough to have those pull out drawers installed when we built the house.  I would check with your local home improvement storage to see what your options are.



This was great... but do you have any tips for a kitchen without a pantry?

Our pantry is great but it really doesn't hold that much food.  It could if we would let it, but we only shop one week at a time based off of our meal plan, and then keep a couple of the essentials stocked all the time.  It's all about maximizing the space you do have, think vertically about wall space and adding shelving.  Or using over the door organizers for gadgets.  Or pretty containers on the counters or in your cabinets.



Do your boys help putting things away in your kitchen. I seem to get my kitchen organized and my girls job is to unpack the dishwasher and never keep it all in order. So I end up giving up till it all gets to much again. help what chores do your guys do and are they good at keeping things organized?  

My oldest just started putting our dishes away this year.  He struggled at first with getting all the odd items where they belong, but each time I just showed him the correct place and he eventually got it.  I always told him to just leave the items he doesn't know where they go, on the counter and we did it together.  Works great.  My biggest tip when getting kid's to help is to not expect perfection and to keep them excited about helping.  Just help them as they are doing things incorrectly, and as they do a specific task over and over, they will get better and better!



Love, love, all of your organization! The problem I have is that I have about 3 times the amount of food in my freezer due to buying in bulk. The same for spices. I am still trying to come up with ways to store everything in the large quantities I have. Any suggestions? 

We also purchase in bulk at times, and keep those items in a separate freezer in our kitchen.  It's all about removing the items from the packages.  That's my biggest tip.  Whenever I take away all the boxes and bags and put things into already owned storage containers and baskets, I am AMAZED at how much space I saved due to bulky packaging.  



Did you add the lazy susan yourself?


Nope, again, built right into our kitchen.  Lucky us right?  I would Google around for tutorials and options!


I hope that helps a bit.  Feel free to leave any additional questions in the comments below and I will do my best to get back to all of them!

54 comments:

  1. For the person with no pantry I need to suggest this!

    http://www.amazon.com/Winsome-Wood-Storage-Rattan-Baskets/dp/B002SSUKP2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1313774468&sr=8-4

    We too are a pantry-less household and only had a little over a foot of space to put something (between a door and a big window). This puppy is 13.5" and I love it!

    What's also great is that it forces us to buy more fruits/veggies instead of cereal and crackers and crap... because we have nowhere to store boxes!! : )

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  2. Jen, I found your blog 2 weeks ago and I find myself excited to check it everyday now! I just wanted to say thank you for being so upbeat & postive. Your ideas and photos are truly inspirational. I've already started a household notebook and weekly chorechart. ANd now I'm itching to "remodel" my fridge & freezer. Really, thanks a bunch for sharing your talents.

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  3. I'm going to photograph my deep drawer bin freezer for you when I get settled next week in ze house! Storage solutions aplenty! <3 Now if I could only survive my in-laws during the move we're good to go! hehe

    sooooooooooooo excited to finally have house photos good enough to show off. i've been so embarrassed of this rental =/ its so tacky.

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas and Crayons

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  4. We are switching to mostly glass due to BPA, but I have tons of Tupperware cups and love that all of my kids can use them with no worries (even the 1 year old). Tupperware cups are all BPA free from what I have read, so we are waiting to switch to glass for drinking until my kids are all older. Those glass pitcher for the milk might make their way into our house, though!

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  5. I don't have any questions, but I love to peek (ok, snoop) inside your house! Thanks for the pictures and tips!

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  6. I just got a new fridge with the freezer drawer as well and am having difficulties fitting things. I would love to see Jenn from Peas and Crayons ideas! The problem is...the very bottom (the biggest part) isnot that big!!

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  7. Love it! I am feeling so inspired! :)

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  8. LOVE IT! I would have never thought to wallpaper the inside of drawers, I've done the drawer paper thing but wallpaper sounds great, way more options!
    Love all the color there too, I need more color!
    LOVE IT ALL!
    Ashli

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  9. Just wondering what pre-pasted wallpaper means would any wallpaper work? I would love to do this in my kitchen!!

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  10. Did you make your fabulous menu board or was that purchased somewhere?

    Thanks!!!

    Stacey

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  11. My husband says i'm addicted to iheart organizing! i think he's right. we just moved into a new house and i'm stumped in organizing many areas. i literally check here everyday for more great ideas. :-) You have a gift from God and i'm so thankful that you share it.

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  12. I would love to know why you decided to keep all your pots and pans in the lazy susan cabinet. I never considered that, but I'm toying with the idea now. I've never liked the way we use the space in ours and I think this would free up some other more prime space. Just curious how you came to that decision. Love your site!

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  13. I totally just emailed you today to tell you about the chalkboard I made (after seeing yours several months ago), and now I see that you ALSO are now using yours as a menu board! Ha!

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  14. I love, love, love, your freezer organization!
    It is on my to do list!
    Thanks for the inspiration, as always!

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  15. where do you keep the lids for your pots and pans? I'd love to store my cookware in our lazy susan but I can't figure out what to do with all the lids. Thanks.

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  16. Thank you for sharing the sources for your organizational wonderfulness.

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  17. Thanks for answering all those questions Jenn!!! I also love the idea of BPA free. My husband is doing a public health degree and he guest posted on my blog about glass milk containers and other things and why they are good for our family's health. So, I love love love that. I also love your acrylic trays!! I've seen them at Wal-Mart too but the amazon ones are less expensive so thanks so much for the link!!! And here is the link to the bpa, etc. article written by my hubs on my blog: http://www.budgetblonde.com/2011/07/budget-buddy-friday-feature-hubs-takes.html

    Hope yall have a fantastic weekend!
    xoxo
    Cat

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  18. You know, there might just be something to storing your milk in glass containers! I've purchased raw milk 3 times now. The first time, I kept it in a HUGE glass jar and it lasted a little over a week (which is what it is supposed to last). The second time I put it in a plastic ice tea jug, just to make it easier to dispense, and it went bad in about 5 days. Grr. I'm gonna look into this! LOVE those little jugs. I'm putting them in my cart! (Hoping to use Swagbucks to pay for them! LOL!)

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    1. There IS something to using glass in the fridge. Glass holds the cold temperature and plastic does not. Anything stored in glass stays colder and your fridge does not cycle on as often, saving electricity which saves $.

      Using rectangular contains, instead of round, saves space. (I gave away leftovers in round to containers to get rid of them.)

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  19. Yikes! I accidentally put my email address where my name was supposed to go in that last comment. Can you delete it for me? Thanks!! Here's what I said:

    I love seeing everything! One more question... I saw some spoons, forks, etc. in those cups in the cupboard... Are those just for the kids? Do you have a silverware drawer? Thanks! Oh, and P.S. I think we have the EXACT same fridge! :)

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  20. I love visiting your blog ~ it always seems to inspire me to look at something a different way.

    Thanks for sharing these great tips & resources!!

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  21. I am a Spanish girl who I discovered your blog and I was surprised you have a knack for decorating, organizing, I'm all day reading your blog and each entry more and more like me, but I have a problem I do not understand English, you could install google translator and my language so I selecionaria and could understand everything that you explain? If you want to see what I mean on my blog at the top I have. Bss Josefa from Spain

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  22. Can y.ou show more of your last Susan. I store lots of random things in mine because I wasn't really sure how to make the most use out of it.

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  23. Hate spell find...should be lazy susan

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  24. Jen, I have shared your blog with everyone I know many times over. So many good ideas (and so little free time to implement them!). Thanks for the peek inside your fridge and freezer, but I'm stumped...what is that squirt/spray bottle on the bottom left inside the door?

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  25. Thanks for sharing some great organizing tips!
    :) CAS

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  26. Oh my goodness I LOVE it!! Your fridge is so clean and organized... makes me inspired to do mine. Thanks for sharing!!

    xoxo-
    Jamielyn
    I ♥ Nap Time

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  27. Reblogging this, NOW! I cannot wait to simplify and organize my life. Big job, but it will be well worth it. Thank you, Thank you!

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  28. Jen, Thanks so much for answering all our questions! I'm definitely investing in those freezer bins! Thanks!!

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  29. Really- beautiful blog of storage cabinet that useful in home....
    Built in Cabinet

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  30. I would love to know where the lids to your pots and pans are too!

    Also, what about small appliances, toaster, waffle iron, etc. Do you have more of those stashed somewhere?

    I am SO inspired by these two kitchen posts. I just edited a lot of my stuff and we are moving into our very own home soon. I will be using your inspiration!

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  31. Container Store has the acrylic organizers search "Stackable Acrylic Drawer Organizers"

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  32. Where did you get that cute blue toaster from??

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  33. @Anonymous: Target! :)

    http://www.target.com/p/Sunbeam-2-Slice-Toaster/-/A-13397780

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  34. That blue toaster will totally finish my kitchen, too bad I can't find it at Target. Will keep my eyes out for it. Thanks for letting me know. Just discovered your blog and I am addicted!! Look forward to checking it every morning. Thanks for all the great inspiration/ideas!!

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  35. @Shaleena, I believe any wallpaper would work. I would also check HomeDepot.com for drawer liner, it's cheaper and they are coming out with tons of great designs.

    @Stacey, I made the menu board, you can see it here:http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/03/project-teal-chalk-it-to-me-again.html

    @Meg, I decided to move my pots and pans because I was fighting to get them in and out of the cupboard that they were stored in previously. I did my pantry which allowed me to clean out my lazy susan and then one day it dawned on me how much easier it would be to get pots and pans out of there than fighting to get the the back of a cabinet. Love how it turned out!

    @Jane, We keep our lids in the drawer below our oven.

    @Jenny, the silverware is a special set we bought for the kiddos since it's smaller and easier for them to manage, plus, with them home all day, it seems like we go through spoons so quick, the second set is great!

    @Rene', the squirt bottle in the fridge is all natural home made cleaner that I keep in there for quick clean ups of spills.

    @Carla, I keep our appliances {food sealer, crock pot, etc..} in the buffet you see in our kitchen/dining room photos.

    Thanks everyone! xoxo! Jen

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  36. Where are your flower shaped measuring cups from?

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  37. @Amber Marie - they are a Pier 1 find, they are not online any longer, but they always have cute options!

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  38. First of all I love your blog! I love to be organized, just not so good with the follow thru! LOL Your blog is an inspiration to me.

    It's ironic how similar our kitchens are. Actually, mine is a bit smaller - believe it or not! I have pretty much the same layout, but a few less cabinets and drawers.

    My question has to do with my drawers. I only have a total of four. One very small one to the right of my sink (similar to yours). And a stack of three drawers not a whole lot wider than that small one. The top drawer of the set holds my silverware (barely). The other two currently hold kitchen towels and food wrapping products, respectively.

    I would really like to re-utilize those bottow two drawers. My problem is that they are quite deep, and I'm not quite sure what I could use them for instead. I would love to be able to use one of them for my large utensils, like spatuals, wooden spoons, etc., but it seems like I would be haveing to dig for everything or it would be partly wasted space.

    I would love to hear any suggestions that you may have for the use of those drawers.

    Again, love the blog and thank your for all your great tips!

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    1. I think you could roll your towels and place them in a pretty basket on the counter or hung on the wall to free up the one drawer, and use a magazine file could hold the wrapping products. You could line the drawers with cork or no-slip liner for your utensils so they don't all go sliding to the back when opening and closing?

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  39. Love your kichen cabinet! I am feeling so inspired! :)

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  40. Hi! I just found your blog via Pinterest. I enjoyed your post and will be back to learn more. I even told my readers to check out your blog. :)

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  41. Linked to you at http://zerotoorganized.blogspot.com/2012/02/weekly-roundup-to-do-list-week-of-feb_13.html

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  42. I have 3 lazy susan type cupboards and what a wasted space. It works okay for the pots/pans, my pressure cooker, crock pot, stainless mixing bowls in one cupboard..the other one I keep my portable mixer, Little Oskar food processor, colanders, some gadgets I use a few times a month, grill cheese sandwich maker, which I'm about ready to donate to a Thrift shop because I find I can pan grill them faster in a small frying pan on top of the stove..some of my plastic food storage containers that won't fit in the drawer with the rest of the "Tupperware"(Rubbermaid/GLAD/Hillshire Farm containers). To me, it is not practical but the cabinets were here when we moved in and they were fairly new so all we did was replace the countertop. The upper lazy susan I keep my cupcake liners, coffee filters, hot tea bags and Crystal light tea mixes, sugar bowl, toothpicks, shot glass, etc.

    Probably I should use that Upper Lazy susan for my spices and free up another cabinet for other things. Do you think the Rubbermaid pan organizers would work for the glass baking dishes on those lazy susans? I'd be afraid they would be too heavy and throw the turntable off balance or when I spun it around, they would fall out and break.

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  43. Hmmm... I guess each is different. Ours hold a lot of weight and have been OK, but maybe you shouldn't risk it if you are unsure? I do love the idea of using it for spices, especially if it's near a cooking surface.

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  44. Why is a bread box not part of your organizing option for bread? Is it a bad idea to leave bread in the fridge?

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  45. Kitchen cabinet organization is something you probably dream of when you’re wasting time trying to find things. This can not only be annoying but can also cause havoc if you’re at a crucial point in a recipe and have to turf out the whole cabinet to find something.

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  46. Iheart ur blog! Where did you find the nifty knife block? I have a good amount of nice knives, but hate having a knife block on the counter.... this could be a good solution for me! thanks

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I found the drawer knife block at Target, and have also seen them online at various shops.

      Happy hunting & organizing! :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  47. Really appreciate for sharing this informative post with us, sadly the kitchen rug is not available right now at Macy's, is there any other place from where i can get it.

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  48. Hi! I am loving the kitchen cabinet posts. Now I know what my next project will be this week! Anyway, I wanted to tell you about a great storage container for cereal or multiple boxes of pasta...the large container biscotti comes in when purchased at Costco. I've been using mine for a few years and they work great for the kids' favorite cereal (holds about 15oz).

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  49. I was just if I could just move in with you it would just be easier! :)

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  50. May I ask where did you get those flower measuring cups with a spout. Their on the pic with the acrylic drawer organizers. :)

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  51. Me encanta tu blog !! parece que siempre me inspira a mirar algo de una manera diferente. Gracias por compartir !!

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