Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Maximizing Space

When I was organizing our junk drawer the other day (you can read about that here), I was once again struck by the resourcefulness of the carpenter who installed our kitchen.

I shared with you our kitchen remodel and some of the things that we did to maximize space.  There were also a couple of little things that our carpenter suggested that I thought I'd share with you.  These are fairly easy (I don't think that I have the skills to make it look as finished as he did) steps that can be taken today without a full remodel but will truly make these spaces easier to use.

The first area was our junk drawer.  The drawer is actually underneath our cantilevered breakfast counter.  I love the breakfast bar but was very disappointed to see how much of the drawer was not usable.  My biggest concern was the all the stuff we put in the drawer would get shoved to the back where we would never be able to get it at.

When I shared my concern, I was told "not to worry" because he would take care of it for us.  What he ended up doing was creating a false back for our drawer.  Using spare pieces of wood (plus the extra door from the project below) he created this drawer stop.  The unfinished pieces keep the finished front from sliding back allowing us a much smaller but more usable drawer.


As you can see, when the piece is in place you can't even tell that isn't the original drawer size!



The other thing that the carpenter did was open up one of our cabinets.  We had a similar cabinet as below in our old kitchen and found it completely unusable.  The cabinet itself was huge but the small opening made it pretty much impossible for easy access.  Unfortunately when we placed our cabinet order we found the the new cabinet was pretty much going to be the same.
.
When I whined to shared my concern with the carpenter I was once again told "don't worry, I'll take care of it".  He certainly did!



To solve our dilemma he cut into the cabinet, opening the door opening by about two inches.  He ordered us a new door front to cover the larger opening. He stained the freshly cut wood to match the existing finish.  The stain is not a perfect match but it's so close that you probably wouldn't even notice if you didn't know.  Plus, it's inside the cabinet so who is going to see it?

The cabinet is now big enough for me to get my mixer and food processor out without any problems!  There is additional storage to the left which isn't very convenient so I store items I use infrequently.

Moral of the story?  1) A good carpenter is worth his weight in gold.  2) It pays to speak up and express concerns to a person who has the ability to solve your problems!

You might also like:

Belle's Vanity Table
Solving the Wall Phone Dilemma
Decorating with Wall Words

16 comments:

  1. Hello fellow I Love My Online Friends GFC Hop-er! I actually recognize your blog from other blog hops. Please check out my blog, if you haven't already. (And follow.) Have a great week.

    Kristina
    http://www.yomichaelmichael.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I savouг, rеsult in I found eхаctly whаt I usеd tο be lοoking for.
    You've ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
    Here is my website black Mold

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello, will be Expression engine a free of charge blogs program such as wordpress platforms?
    Also proper drainage . a great deal of plugins and designs correctly?
    I'd like to use the item with regard to our brand-new blog site if it may! Thanks a lot.
    Feel free to visit my website ... Records Search

    ReplyDelete
  4. Exactly why We never thought of that?
    Here is my weblog Check Background

    ReplyDelete
  5. You help it become show up really easy along with your display, however are locating this kind of topic to get actually one thing that we think I might never ever recognize.
    It seems like as well difficult and substantial in my situation.
    I’m writing about send on your own next blog site, I am going to seek
    to have the hang than me!
    My weblog ; Online Car Insurance Quotes

    ReplyDelete
  6. Could you brain merely repost the following to my web site?
    I've to make sure credit rating is given where by it can be owing. Have a very good one!
    Also visit my weblog - Genital Warts Removal

    ReplyDelete
  7. Howdy, can be Expression engine a complimentary blogging computer software including wordpress?
    Furthermore does the unit use plenty of plugins as
    well as themes or templates for it? I must use them for my fresh blog if it will!
    Thank You.
    Feel free to visit my page ... Genital Wart Remover

    ReplyDelete
  8. Terrific post and also to the point. I am not sure if this sounds in fact a good option must
    yet can you everyone has any kind of the thing
    it where you can get some ghost writers?
    Appreciate it beforehand.
    my webpage > Treat Genital Warts

    ReplyDelete
  9. Put it off! Or it could be not necessarily! I submitted to Gerald’s e-mail correct coming from a diverse area this
    occasion I didn't experience an problem communication. This implies your dog probably received the knowledge they wanted through my family (bank-account number, and many others) and now impeded my personal e-mail handle with the blunder information which suggests “Eric’s e-mail target is just not correct anymore”, nonetheless it’s most likely installed and operating once again. Substantiation is usually We mailed an email in order to his or her tackle from your unique site (one among the some other e-mail deals with) and i also would not purchase an miscalculation message… darn…tghthgthgg Matthew help me personally adhere to my personal continue in the firm. I have by now provided the resume on your corporation e mail, remember to I needed your vital reply.
    Check out my weblog :: Home Remedies For Genital Warts

    ReplyDelete
  10. My partner and i don’t know generate an
    income ended up being in this article, however believe this information is unexpected.
    I don’t realize what you do having said that surely
    you'll often be a prominent digg, if you aren't currently.
    Here is my blog : How To Treat Genital Warts

    ReplyDelete

  11. Brooks Brothers Free Shipping


    Thanks for sharing this amazing article, it is very informative post good work keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Extremely fascinating, Wish to see substantially more like this. Much obliged for sharing your data.
    Logo Design

    ReplyDelete
  13. If you are looking for a good logo design along with a few other services like stationary design and web design, Buy Custom Logo might be the best there is! Not only did they provide me with a great new logo, they surprised me with their customized additional stationary and web page all at an affordable price. At first, I was doubtful and thought that they might just design a logo and stick it everywhere whether it’s business cards or pencils but for every stationary item, they altered and scaled the design so that it fit and looked great! Will definitely keep your excellent service in mind for the futurecustom logo design

    ReplyDelete
  14. We are selling professional logo designs buying logos with us 6O% off.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We are selling professional logo designs buying logos with us 6O% off.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a well and useful post, thanks for the share, if you are looking to law dissertation Writing Service then visit our site and get up to 7O& off.

    ReplyDelete