The kitchen becomes one of the most-used rooms during the holidays, so take some time to ensure that you have all the space you need for food preparation this year. Consider these simple steps for maximizing your kitchen.
Plan ahead and space out food preparation. Whenever possible, try to prepare dishes a day or two prior to large meals to prevent crowded countertops and ovens. Consider including margin in your meal prep schedule to make sure you aren’t left working on multiple dishes at the last minute.
Temporarily expand counter space. Place a large cutting board over the sink to create additional space for chopping produce. This frees up your countertops for assembling dishes and holding hot items from the oven.
Use a rolling cart. This functional addition to your kitchen can double as a storage solution and extra counter space. Search for a cart with multiple levels, pull-out drawers and locking wheels. The cart can then be rolled out of the way when prep work is complete.
Remove unnecessary items. Rarelyused dishes, appliances and utensils can be stored outside of the kitchen during holiday hosting to make more room for meal prep.
Consider these larger projects for long-term space improvements.
Add shelves inside cabinets. Some types of cabinets are much taller than the items you need to store. Consider installing additional racks or shelves inside your cabinets to add more flat surfaces for storing small items.
Make the most of empty spaces. Attach utensil holders, shelves, magnetic strips, or hooks to empty vertical surfaces throughout your kitchen. Consider the sides of cabinets, the backsplash, the inside of cabinet and pantry doors, and even the refrigerator.