04 Dec Kitchen Organization: Choose Pull-Out Shelving Wisely
My friend, Laura Nicosia, is an expert when it comes to figuring out what kind of pull-out kitchen shelves you need in order to function better in an organized kitchen. I asked her to share her tips with us:
Organization + Access = Choosing Pull-Out Shelving Wisely
Choosing a pull out shelving system for your kitchen cabinets can be an overwhelming experience. The choices include everything from custom built permanent solutions to do it yourself internet specials. These products may all work initially but it is important to consider several things before you make your choice.
Custom Built or Ready-Made?
Kitchen cabinets come in all sizes. A ready-made product will fit some cabinets but often leaves wasted space on the sides and back of the shelf. Can you afford to lose space? Trying to squeeze a ready-made drawer into existing cabinets can be frustrating too. A custom built drawer will use every possible square inch and give easy access to all your items. Installation is another factor. A professional installation by certified installers will assure a turn-key operation with no surprises.
It’s all About the Rail!
A quality drawer box is essential but the workhorse of any pull out shelving system is the rail. Pots and pans, glass casserole dishes and canned goods are heavy. Inexpensive roller ball rails will break eventually and ¾ extension rails do not give you total access to your items. Choose a quality product with full extension rails and a 100 lb weight capacity unless you want to install (and pay) more than once. Ask about a warranty. Pull out drawers get lots of use and a quality product will have one for as long as you are in your home.
A Good Design
Where to start? Placing the same type of pull out drawer in one or two cabinets can bring partial relief but a custom solution can actually make your kitchen work for you and help you stay organized. A good design will take into account the items you need to store and the space you have to store them. Some items do well in a shallow drawer while other items require a deeper one. Flat items like cookie sheets and cutting boards are best kept in a tray bin with dividers to hold them upright. Lightweight and tall items can easily fall out the back of a shallow drawer making it a pain to dig them out. An experienced Designer will work with you to create a solution that works for the way you use your kitchen and suggest re-arranging your items if necessary. You use your kitchen every day. Why not make it a functional and flexible work space for years to come?
Laura Nicosia is the owner and lead designer of ShelfGenie of San Antonio. ShelfGenie® custom designs, builds and installs the amazing Glide-Out™ shelving system turning cluttered cabinets and pantries into beautifully organized spaces. We provide more space, better organization and easier access resulting in less stress every day.
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About Laura Nicosia
Laura Nicosia is the owner and lead designer of ShelfGenie of San Antonio. ShelfGenie® custom designs, builds and installs the amazing Glide-Out™ shelving system turning cluttered cabinets and pantries into beautifully organized spaces. We provide more space, better organization and easier access resulting in less stress every day.
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