Advice On How To Pack More Into The Cupboards

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30153, 10 June 1963, Page 2

Advice On How To Pack More Into The Cupboards

Do you cry, “No room, no room,” as you survey your kitchen cupboards?

Like Alice, the Home Science Extension of the University of Otago replies, “There’s plenty of room.” The solution is not only to move up, but also move out —and to.move in, it says.

Seklom-used items should go up out of the way, leaving more space for those used every day; gadgets that don’t work, knives without handles, empty bottles and packets should go out—to clear the way for things which earn their keep. To store the necessities where they are wanted, move in extra dividers which use the available space to the full.

A cupboard with a single shelf at the half-way mark wastes space. If more shelves are added, more goods can be stored conveniently in the same space. There need only be enough clearance to enable articles to be grasped and lifted off the shelves with ease. The shelves can be made adjustable by means of metal stripping, wooden cleats, or rows of parallel holes which hold dowel pegs or metal brackets. This makes it possible to alter the shelf position to accommodate taller items.

A simpler solution for flat dwellers is to have a handyman make a set of stepped shelves to fill the space. Eeave room at one side for tail articles. Cupboards Too High? There need only be about Win distance between a work bench and the cupboards above. When there is more, fill in the extra space to bring the storage within easy reach. A row of plastic containers such as are used for crisping

boxes in refrigerators can be hung oc wooden runners screwed to the underside of the cupboard. Another solution is to suspend a half-shelf from underneath the cupboard. It can then hold the spices and herbs and other small items in frequent use. Drawers Too Deep

A deep drawer can be made more usable by fitting it with a sliding tray supported on wooden cleats at the sides or front and back of the drawer. It should not cover more than half the drawer, to allow access to the items stored beneath it. Alternatively, partition a deep drawer with vertical dividers of plywood or hard board and stand flat pieces of equipment on end between them. For Extra Space Put all the room to work. Use the ends of cupboards to hang saucepans, can openers and coffee grinders. Fill in corners with shelves or brackets to hold coffee pot. toaster and radio.

Build a slim cupboard behind the door for jams and preserves. Put pegboard on the wall near mixing centre or stove. Make the cupboard doors work for you. Hang light pieces of equipment on the inside of doors. Cut shelves back from the usual 12in to Bin, and screw small racks to the doors. These hold small jars, bottles and packets of food.