Kitchen Knife Holders
June 23, 2016
Kitchen Knife Holders Keep Knives Sharp and Accessible
Kitchen knives are a chef’s best friend and, because they are expensive, require special care and attention. Knives left in drawers get dull from being rattled around and hog valuable drawer space. Kitchen knife holders keep knives sharp and fingers safe from blades. A variety of kitchen knife holders are available to fit your space and collection needs.
In-Drawer Knife Storage
For in-drawer knife storage, two options are available. Both are hardwood and keep knives stationary and blades protected and sharp. The 7-slot holder is great for smaller knife collections and the 14-slot is perfect for professional chefs. Made by Wusthof, you won’t find any better quality in-drawer knife holders and these are very affordable.
Under-Cabinet Knife Blocks
When space is an issue, under-cabinet knife blocks provide accessible storage in often-unused space right beneath your cabinet. This knife block has swing-out storage on an attractive maple block and comes in two different sizes to accommodate your collection. One is for small cabinets and the other fits standard ones. Heavy-duty hinges are angled, which makes for easy visibility and access.
Magnetic Knife Holders
Magnetic knife holders provide convenient, accessible storage on any free wall or cupboard and come in a variety of lengths. They provide the fastest access of any kitchen knife holders, as the blades and handles remain free and clear. We have several different models available. This one comes in a 10-inch and and 18.5-inch version. The 10-inch holder is nice because it fits on shallow, non-standard cabinets like those found in older houses. Installation is easy with the provided screws. I store my favorite, most-used knives on this and use a knife block for my specialty knives.
Be sure to check out our other kitchen knife holders on our website. We also carry a generous line of German Wusthof knives, the best available.
Also see this Ask Our Organizer blog post for more knife storage ideas.
Small Kitchen Space-Saving Solutions
June 9, 2016
More Small Kitchen Ideas
I wrote about small kitchen storage a couple weeks ago, but here are some more tips and products to get the most out of your tiny kitchen. Getting organized almost always means letting go, so here are a few ideas for getting more efficient with less.
Sort and Donate Unused Pans
Survey your pan collection. If you don’t use them, ditch them. Consolidate the keepers using pan and lid racks. This behind the door flat bakeware rack has a narrow profile and keeps pans from toppling over and taking up lots of room in your cupboards. Over-door lid racks consolidate and organize lids, which tend to fall over and make a mess in your cupboards and drawers – not to mention the nerve-shattering noise they make when they topple.
Get Rid of Duplicate Cutlery
Get rid of any duplicate cutlery you have and keep what you need. A knife block keeps your favorites consolidated and protected on a counter. I have little counter space, so keep my favorite knives handy using this 10-inch long magnetic knife holder. This one is unique in that it is extra short – making it a perfect fit for my old, shallow, hand-built cupboards. More common long ones are also available on our website. We also carry an under-cupboard knife mount, if you have available cupboard space. This is a popular model as it mounts easily under the cupboard, utilizing often unused space beneath cabinets.
Cup Racks and Hooks Save Cupboard Space
Make a cup rack out of simple hooks to hang coffee mugs below your cupboard. As an alternative, you can use a coffee cup tree, provided you have counter or table space to display it. While you’re at it, you may want to donate those extra novelty cups you amassed over the years – you know, the bad joke ones and the giant Santa that came with petrified candy from the work party gift grab.
Small Appliances Maximize Counter Space
If you are single, or even if you’re not, the small Keurig coffeemaker takes up little space on your counter, while providing cup after cup of delicious coffee. Smaller appliances take up less real estate on your counter, making your small kitchen more efficient. It comes in stainless or red finishes, the latter of which adds a nice splash of color to your counter. Along with the red Keurig, I purchased a small red crock pot that I use frequently and so keep out on the counter for convenience.
Get Rid of Appliances and Gadgets You Don’t Use
If you haven’t used Aunt Martha’s vintage Mixmaster or the groovy Veg-O-matic still stored inside the cool retro box, unload them on eBay or donate them to Goodwill. They are cluttering your kitchen, and cool as they look, you could use that cabinet and drawer space for something you actually use. Add the cash to your mad money jar for a rainy day.
Stackable Storage Containers
Stackable food storage containers better utilize cupboard space, and are also more efficient for refrigeration and freezer storage. Anchor Hocking glass storage containers are safe for most cooking methods and come with either red or green lids, with clear tops for viewing food. Recycle the old cottage cheese containers and release the orphaned-lid pile to the recycle bin. It’s time.
Pull-Out Trash Bins Save Floor Space
A pull-out trash bin utilizes under-sink space, while saving floor space in your tiny kitchen. Installation is easy and smooth-gliding bearings make it a breeze to pull in and out – plus you’ll know longer have to see yucky trash. Yay!
Add Portable Work Surfaces
Instant counters add extra work surfaces to stovetops, counters, kitchen tables or more. Made from tempered glass with elevated feet, these attractive kitchen helpers store easily inside the cupboard when you don’t need them.
Hopefully these suggestions will help you in making your small kitchen into a more workable, efficient and pleasurable room for cooking.
Please check out Tiny Kitchen Storage Ideas if you missed it.
Tea Storage Ideas
May 31, 2016
Tea Storage Boxes Keep Tea Fresh and Accessible
Sipping tea is a simple and heavenly indulgence, whether done quietly on the veranda by oneself in the early warm hours of summer, or communally, while enjoying friends and catching up on each other’s lives. The subtle savor of tea is matched by no other beverage and, as indulgences go, tea is a compact and affordable one that’s less likely to induce guilt than, say, wine spectatorship. I like to stock a range of teas from simple, savory rice teas to rich, complex, healing, herbal mixes and, as my collection and tastes have grown, so have my storage needs, both at home and at work. Here are some tea storage ideas to organize and dispense your favorite teas.
Two attractive bamboo boxes make great storage for tea bags. Both have hinged lids and dividers. 
I first purchased the solid-top tea storage box, as my boxes of loose tea were cluttering my cabinet and hard to get at. Eight compartments store plenty of teabags upright or flat for easy accessibility. Attractive box joints add visual interest to the container, which I keep on a shelf for easy access.
A similar box is available with a clear lid for viewing the contents. While repurposing is generally something we do with old or used things, I found this brand new item to be better suited for small essential oil bottles than the commercially available products, as well as more attractive and affordable. 
This tea box fits the bill for my 10 milliliter bottles. I group by oil type and will be adding small round stickers for easier identification. Of course, you may use this for it’s intended purpose – tea – or for storing a variety of food items including sugar and other sweetener packets.
At work, my tea storage needs are smaller so this inexpensive little wire basket is great, as I usually just bring a few packets of tea to work. There’s also room for sweetener packets and it takes up little room on a desk or counter. It’s also a great little gift for the occasional tea drinker and makes an attractive addition to your decor, with it’s whimsical scrolled design.
Whatever your tea storage needs, you’re likely to find something on our site, along with infusers, tea cups and other supplies.