Kitchen dilemma: more storage or more counter?

[Barb D]

We have very limited counter and cabinet space in our kitchen. To make it worse, the cabinet shelves are way too close together (and not movable), so boxes won't fit in the cabinets.

When we first moved in the house we bought a counter height kitchen table, which is wonderful when I need extra counterspace for making cookies, etc. But honestly, we never sit at it, and for the most part it just gathers whatever people are carrying when they come in the house. It just occurred to me that we could get rid of the table and add a bookshelf in that wall space, with shelves spaced for cereal boxes. This would also give us more floor room in the kitchen.

WWYD? More counter space, needed occasionally but really handy, or more storage space, needed all the time?

 

[Judy from Boise]

I would go storage....you can even set up a card table for occasional counter space, or get a nice rolling cart thingy.

 

[disykat]

I'd try for a solution that provides both. If you're not talking about a built in, how about one of those butcher block rolling carts that has storage underneath, basic cabinets, or even a refinished dresser with drawers? Then you could use the top as counter space as needed. You could also put shelves above it to further utilize the wall space.


My mom had a similar dilema in her kitchen years ago and found cabinets in an unfinished furniture store that she painted. I doubt they were intended for a kitchen, she just looked around until she found a size that worked that offered the storage she wanted. She loved them so much that she kept them even when she redid her kitchen.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

When we bought our house a year ago, I knew the kitchen was short on storage. 6 upper cabinets, 2 shelves than are tall enough for big cereal boxes, unusable space beneath the sink, a wide single- door base cabinet with a pull out where I store pots and pans, and one other base cabinet with two doors that is not appropriate for the space...I didn't notice until a second walk-through that there was only ONE drawer!

I bought one of those plastic rolling carts with 5 drawers for the meanwhile to hold tea towels and miscellaneouse utensils. For the pantry, we bought a large Sauder wardrobe and my brother had extra shelves made to increase capacity for canned goods.

As for counter space, the microwave and dish drainer take up most of the space by the sink and there is one other counter above the pot cabinet. We purchased a smooth-top range, so I often use that for extra work space. My kitchen table is much like yours, usually cluttered and seldom used for its intended purpose.

 

[mickeyboat]

I vote for counter space. I can always store items we don't need very often in the basement or linen closet. I love having plenty of space to spread out while I am cooking - or I should say when DH is cooking and I am helping. It makes it easier for the kids to help, too, and for guests to visit with us while we are in the kitchen.

Denae

 

[freckles and boo]

We have this table in our office, but it would work very well for added work space in a kitchen. It also has a bit of storage with six drawers but it takes up very little space when folded down. It is also VERY heavy because it is solid wood.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718

 

[Barb D]

We have this table in our office, but it would work very well for added work space in a kitchen. It also has a bit of storage with six drawers but it takes up very little space when folded down. It is also VERY heavy because it is solid wood.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20104718

Oooh! That table would be perfect. I wonder if it can be refinished? I finished our current table (from an unfinished furniture store) to match our cabinets.