The Slightly Obsessive Storage Thread

[whatashower]

By popular request from the Property/DIY section, a new thread on smart and possibly ingenious storage solutions from kitchen drawers to cupboards and beyond. Post your storage problems and inspirational solutions here. Thank you.

To recap, and for new storage fans, I found a fun and very inexpensive kids wall display box which laid flat for an awesome drawer tidy. Found at Flying Tiger which has loads of useful and fun stuff but doesn't sell online. Get an idea of what's coming in at
uk.flyingtiger.com

Hoping this isn't a one hit wonder and I find some more low cost tricks as we fill our new kitchen. Keen also to know if anyone has any smart stuff that can be used in deep pan drawers to help organise miscellaneous items (not plates, and not pans)

Oh, I think I'm going to like this thread. We're hoping to move soon to our first bought house and I can't wait to try everything we can't do in our rental accommodation! (I'm filling my Pinterest boards in anticipation!)

Great idea! I'm looking for plastic storage boxes without lids to fit in kitchen cupboards e.g. for all my baking things, snacks, bottles of oil, vinegar etc but I can't find any the right size that won't waste any space around the edges so I can't fit everything in. If anyone has any ideas that would be great

I loved (on the previous thread) the use of those tiny boxes from The Works inside kitchen cupboards. Combines my love of stationery with my kitchen obsession. I'm swooning.

chocco I found some boxes in a stationery shop, (a few years ago, so don't know if they do them anymore) that were flat edges and both the box and the lid were fairly deep (maybe 2 inches) so I use both as boxes now.

I meant the sides were deep, the boxes varied sizes, some bigger others thin and narrow.

Thx letmesleep! I didn't think of looking in a stationery store - great idea. I have some WHSmith vouchers so will go and have a look.

Cross post - thx I'll check the link out

The link doesn't seem to work, so here's a screenshot of the boxes I mean

Letmesleep- that looks ideal. I just saw them online so will measure up as soon as I'm back home. Thx!

I share your problem with deep pan drawers. The drawer box is really shallow, but the drawer face is deep, obviously so that you can fit pans in. But if you don't have pans there (I can't waste one of my only drawers on pots and pans!), then it has to work as a junk drawer, utensils, all the other stuff that normally goes in drawers. But it's too shallow for that, and stuff always falls out the back.

I've tried to find some boxes that would fit almost exactly and not slide around or waste space at the edges, but so far I'm stuck.

Other storage solutions - I've got one of those baskets from Wilko's that hangs under a cabinet, and it's been so useful for paperwork and stuff. I've also got a wooden ikea file holder screwed to the inside of one of the cabinets for rolls of foil etc., because the shelves don't go right to the edge and it's wasted space otherwise.

My problem is a deep corner cabinet that is hard to reach the back. It didn't come with one of those pull out devices, and I'm not sure about getting on fitted now as I know it would use up some of the available space, but at the same time, it's hard to see or get at what's in there now.

I also have gaps of about 1.5 inches above the dishwasher and washing machine, where I currently store baking trays. however, they slide around as the machine is used, and can be hard to get out. I'd love to find some kind of giant very very shallow drawer/box to put up there to keep flat things in.

Ooh hemidemi great brief for us all - everyone get their thinking caps on!

OK, this is not for everyone in terms of appeal, but when we were planning our kitchen and getting really pissed off anxious about the steep unit and island prices for what were essentially flimsy mass manufactured mdf shells, I looked everywhere for alternative solutions. I am still sort of fixated with this "diy" discovery, as they are about half the price of stuff I have seen before and obviously substantial. I couldn't accommodate one in the plan but if you are going for loft/urban/industrial I cannot see this would look out of place. It's over 1.4m so you can the value compared to a run of units. Not cheap at £399 but if you have had kitchen quotes you won't faint. More drawer porn.
www.homebase.co.uk/ultimate-56in-10-drawer-tool-trolley_p374362

I wish I hadnt gone back to find that tool thing for the thread, I still really covet it. 😢

Just a quick additional note to say Ultimate is an Australian brand and I am guessing this unit is available in the UK now due to Bunnings acquiring Homebase. I hope it's the start of things to come as Ultimate have an incredible range and you really could create a viable kitchen out of their stuff. www.ultimatestorage.com.au/tool-trolley-2017

Hemidemi

Re your shallow gap above appliances. what about putting a catering size baking tray on batons so it slides out? Ideally a grooved runner. Most have enough of a lip to get a decent grip. I don't know your dimensions but the width/depth of appliances is usually c60cm

Some examples....

www.nisbets.co.uk/bourgeat-aluminium-patisserie-tray/j857

thecookskitchen.com/25031+Catering+Classics+Baking+Trays:+Extra+Extra+Large

I saw some exciting new boxes in Wilko yesterday [saddo], meant for high kitchen shelves I think, clear plastic with holes, deep (shelfwise) and narrow, various heights and a handle on the front.
Trying to think what I could use them for.... maybe in the fridge

oh a catering tray is a good idea, thank you! I think the appliances are 60cm wide and the worktop is 60cm deep, so ideally I'd find a square one so that I could use as much space as possible and no room for it to slide :)

there are some gardening trays that are 60cm square, but they're all at least 5cm tall, and although it would be close, I don't think there's that much room. 3.5cm at most ,unfortunately. So a catering tray would be better

Thanks whatashower.
I will be back later to get some help

Plastic storage boxes for kitchens- TK Maxx/Homesense have boxes of the "InterDesign" brand. I seem to be getting a new one every time I go in - latest was for Tassimo capsules. Very good quality clear acrylic and sized exactly for kitchen units.

Thanks Notme, I was just thinking today how expensive acrylic seemed to be, great if TKMaxx have got some, hopefully, for a bit less. Love the neat fit.

This looks great notme! My kitchen storage problems are looking up! Thx😀

I can also confirm that cardboard Prestat chocolate boxes are ideal for storing spices.

More expensive that plastic ones though, and there is that awful problem of having to eat all the chocolates first.