Despite kitchen cabinets generally serving the purpose of storage, there are certain items you should avoid storing in your kitchen base cabinets. They’re considered prime real estate and are usually much larger than other cabinets. This means they’re best used to store items you don’t need in the near future as well as large appliances that don’t fit elsewhere. As for what you shouldn’t store in your kitchen base cabinets, here’s a concise list:

#1: Do not stockpile daily use items in base cabinets

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Avoid straining your back by keeping daily use items within reach

Items you use on the regular must be in more accessible areas of the kitchen. Avoid storing them in kitchen base cabinets because your items could get lost in the space. It would be more difficult to access, especially with elderly residents who want to avoid straining their backs.

#2: Do not place sharp objects and choppers here

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Knife stands are a safer option

Consider moving knives, choppers and other sharp objects out of kitchen base cabinets and onto the countertop or stands. This is a safety concern because you might stick your hand in a lower cabinet and hurt yourself. This tip is even more crucial for homes with children and pets because you don’t want them opening the cabinets when you’re not around. Sharp objects are best kept out of harm’s way but where you can see them.

#3: Do not hoard food in these cabinets

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Food can be forgotten if left in base cabinets

Food that gets relegated to the corners of your kitchen will most likely spoil or rot before you remember they’re there. Avoid keeping food in kitchen base cabinets so that you’re aware of what you have in your kitchen. Further, keeping cooking essentials away from the prep or cooking zones often disrupts the flow of cooking. Lastly, lower cabinets tend to be frequented by pests, so you don’t want to place your food where it can be eaten through or contaminated.

#4: Do not stack utensils in lower cabinets

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Utensils should be kept within your cooking zone and not stacked up in base cabinets

Stacked utensils are a tumbling tower just waiting to happen. Storing stacked pots and pans here makes it more challenging to get to the utensil that you need. If you happen to need something at the bottom, you will need to unstack and re-stack, which naturally will break your cooking flow. The stacks are also likely to tumble down if unbalanced. This means you’ll have to take a few more minutes just to put things back!

#5: Do not clutter base cabinets with rarely-used appliances

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Consider moving heavy appliances to a loft space if they are not in regular use

This may seem a tad counter-intuitive, considering you want to leave the most-used space for most-used items. However, the point is that appliances you don’t use anymore don’t need a space in your kitchen at all. If you have machines you whip out only once a year, consider moving them to a loft space so you can use kitchen storage for other essentials. 

What can you store in base cabinets?

Now that we are aware of all the things that should not be stored in base cabinets. Here are a few items that can make your organisation a lot more easier:

  • Spice Rack: Unlike other food items, spices do not attract rodents. Base cabinets are perfect storage units to store spices that need a dry and enclosed space. 
  • Cooking utensils/ cutlery: While storing sharp knives is an unsafe option, you can always store spatulas, tea strainers, cheese graters, tongs, whisks, and other cooking utensils. If you wish to store pots and pans or crockery in these cabinets, opt for a cabinet organiser. This will help organise your stacked utensils and plates that will prevent them from falling over. Another handy spot to store cutlery apart from the dining table or crockery unit is the lower cabinet in your kitchen. This trick is perfect for people who enjoy cooking especially for others as you have to use a clean spoon for tasting.
  • Containers: Lower cabinets are a great place to access food containers. Use this space to store empty airtight food containers, lunch boxes and lids.
  • Appliances: Lower cabinets should be used to store away appliances that you use on a daily basis especially since the countertop can get cluttered. These appliances include blenders, coffee machines and electric kettles. 
  • Store additional items like baking trays, salad bowls and more.
  • Vegetable wicker basket: Use the upper part of your base cabinets to install a wicker basket. It keeps veggies away from rodents and still within your reach.
  • Cleaning supplies: These can be stored here under the sink in the water-resistant section. Use one of these organisers for open spaces like this.
  • Dustbin: A dustbin can also be stored under the sink. If you can find someone to attach it to your cabinet door, it would sort a lot of your worries. 
  • Gas cylinder: This can also be stored in the base cabinet if you have the provision for it.

Kitchen base cabinets are precious square footage, especially in compact spaces. Armed with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to using them wisely!

Send in your comments and suggestions.

— editor@livspace.com