My husband and I got tired of moving the coffee pot in front of the toaster oven every time we wanted to use it. The springs on the door haven't worked properly, and the coffee pot was large enough and heavy enough to hold it shut. I bought the stripped down cheap $20 model, to replace it. It is also most like the one now residing in our dumpster. Here's the commentary on how change goes ... the model it replaced cost about $50, nine years ago.There is a small problem with the new kitchen gadget ... The old one didn't get very hot, externally. I could put our coffee pot on top of it, paper towels at it's side, and a set of knives (in a wooden block) nearby. I don't have very much counter space, so this arrangement (precarious as it may sound) was vital ... I still keep the paper towels close by, but not touching. The coffee maker and knives have now been relegated to the previously appliance-free counter. I am not happy. I only have three small counter tops. I was re-evaluating the kitchen space yesterday; couldn't figure out a solution. Should a get rid of the microwave? The knives? Coffee pot?* That's it. Those are the choices. The cookbooks are stacked on top of the microwave, and there isn't enough room between it and the cabinet for anything else, anyway ... that's out ... The coffee pot is used everyday, sometimes twice. It would be ridiculous to store it the way I do the 10 cup pot. We're planning to put the condo on the market in the next 6 months. How do I make it look like there's space in the kitchen!? We've been fairly creative about space** around here ... but this time I haven't a clue. Do you?
*If you know me, you likely understand the absurdity of that thought. :-p
**Here are some examples of our creativity:
exhibit A-- We've turned the water heater closet into a pantry (it's "in" the kitchen)
exhibit B-- Printer=under piano, wireless connection=top of wardrobe; hidden by pictures.
exhibit C--Beautiful dark wicker baskets in the living room tastefully house toys.
1 comment:
Well, you could do what we do -- relegate the refrigerator to an unused hallway branching off of the kitchen. Then use the old fridge space for shelving that houses the microwave and toaster oven.
Probably that fridge quirk is unique to our place, and really it's not a selling point (i.e. we'd like better access to the fridge!)
You have the right idea with stacking, that's for sure. I'm really impressed with your storage, actually. All I can suggest is maybe using a shelf in the pantry? If you have an old wooden cutting board, you can set the toaster oven on top of it for a more solid footing.
But then you have an electrical appliance in the water heater closet, so I'm not sure what to say. Last idea: put toaster oven or coffee pot under the sink during your condo showings :)
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