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Do you need to organize your kitchen because it’s cramped and lacks a pantry? Are you getting older and having a hard time getting on your belly to find something you need in your kitchen? Then it’s time for you to explore these 11 clever ways to organize your kitchen.
It depends somewhat on where you live in Costa Rica and the type of home you have. A townhouse or small condo in Escazu and Santa Ana typically features cramped kitchen cabinetry and lacks a pantry. An older single-family home in that area is likely to have a pantry, but newer ones usually don’t.
In Atenas, for example, most homes have large kitchens with extensive cabinetry. But when you get older, it’s hard to go on your knees to find anything hidden in the back of the kitchen cabinetry. At the beach, unless you own a luxury home or condo, you probably have cramped kitchen cabinetry or none at all, depending mainly on your budget. Either way, you need to find a way to organize a kitchen in Costa Rica.
Many of our buyers of Costa Rican real estate are over 55 years old or approaching that age. The knees don’t cooperate as much as they used to. The kitchen is a key factor in deciding whether to buy a house. That’s why I decided to give you 11 clever ways to organize a kitchen before you buy the home that you want.
1. Pocket organizers
Pocket organizers were designed for shoes, but they also function well for storing food items.
Those pocket organizers, as shown in the photo above, were invented for shoes, underwear, and stuff that don’t have anything to do with food. It is fantastic, though, what you can do with over-door hanging bag shoe rack hangers, or whatever you want to call them. You can fit a tremendous amount of small items that you would normally spend hours looking for, and can now find in seconds.
You might not be able to find them in Costa Rica, but they’re easy to buy in Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond in the States. I’m sure you have friends and family visiting all the time who can bring them as they don’t add much weight to their luggage.
2. Easy-to-view cabinet organizers
I particularly like the idea of the signs on the front of the organizers.
Find the right size of cabinet organizers that fit your cabinets. Measure before you buy so you can use the space to its best advantage. Stores like EPA and SuKasa might have some good options for you. A Bowl Full of Lemons can give you a good idea about the use of the easy-to-view cabinet organizers. I particularly like the idea of the signs on the front of the organizers.
3. Portable storage
Rolling kitchen cart. Image from myvaluehome.com
Rolling kitchen carts can be a real smart option, but they can turn out to be the total opposite. This depends mainly on the type of kitchen and the available space, as well as how you can use it without bumping into things frequently.
4. Wicker can be slicker
You can buy wicker baskets in the central market in San Jose or check out Zeledon factory. Image HGTV.com
Using wicker baskets to organize a kitchen, especially for fresh vegetables or other perishable ingredients, might not be a great idea. We have quite a bit of humidity in the air, which can affect the wicker if it isn’t regularly cleaned. Wicker baskets work well if you can look into them from above, so they have to be used below eye level. You can buy wicker baskets in the central market in San Jose, or check out Zeledon factory Facebook page, or go to the a.
I have also seen Interiors in Escazu sell wicker baskets with plastic lining. Other kitchen suppliers might be able to help you. I’d hate to send you someplace where they have them today and won’t tomorrow, so I’m not recommending any particular store here.
5. Sliding shelves
You can easily have sliding shelves designed and made in any wood shop. Image from myvaluehome.com
Labor is still affordable in Costa Rica. You can easily have sliding shelves designed and made in any wood shop.
6. Max out the cabinets
Stack containers so they fit. Image from HGTVhome.com
Most people do not use their cabinets to their full potential. There is a significant amount of wasted space that can be utilized to create a smartly organized kitchen. Use baskets or containers that fit and save space. Use modular stacking containers when possible.
7. Pull-out
A pull-out larder system, also known as a rolling pantry, is a great solution.
In every kitchen, there is a lot of unused or wasted space. A pull-out larder system, also known as a rolling pantry, is a great solution. You can purchase at almost every kitchen supply company in Costa Rica or even have one made to fit.
8. Labels
Find free kitchen and pantry labels on Pinterest.
If you use containers, label them well and organize them logically by food type. Use labels that can be cleaned easily. Find free kitchen and pantry labels on Pinterest. Buy the materials at Jimenez & Tanzi.
9. Hanging
Hang bags of chips, pretzels, or dried fruit
You can hang bags of chips, pretzels, dried fruit, and other food products that come in bags using hanging clips so that they won’t get crushed.
10. Lazy Susan
Use Lazy Susan turntables wherever you can. They save space.
Use Lazy Susan turntables wherever you can. You can purchase them on Amazon for under $15 and have them shipped to your location. They can make a huge difference in organizing a kitchen.
11. Wire racks
By using wire racks, you can fill up all the unused space in your cabinets
Although wire racks can get dirty easily, you may want to use them on the inside of the cabinet doors. Use wire racks at eye level for storage of smaller items and the lower ones for larger items. You can find wire racks in various sizes at EPA stores.
Our agents on the MLS are all area specialists. Ask your agent for any referrals on kitchen cabinetry and supplies.
