Hang It Up

After evaluating storage needs in various rooms, I decided to pick up a 5-tier steel shelf for the kitchen. I have others, in various sizes, scattered around the house. They are extremely durable - should last a lifetime - and the shelves can be adjusted to whatever height needed. I bought my first one years ago when I needed to store salvaged tile and grout for my dabblings in mosaic.

I wish I could tell you that I bought this one used, but they are rarely available. They are too useful! In six years of cruising thrift stores, yard sales, and craigslist, I've come across only two smaller ones (and bought them both).

As I unpacked three more boxes yesterday afternoon in the kitchen, the lack of drawer space once again frustrated me. I don't like the look of pegboard but perhaps it was the only way to deal with the problem. How else could I hang up the utensils and free up some space?


Hmm.....


Hanging...


Hooks....


Duh! Right next to the only place where the pegboard would fit was my new steel shelf. The same kind of shelving I used to have in the previous kitchen. The same kind that I hung a few "S" hooks on for a couple of hanging items.



After doing a couple loads of laundry at the laundromat this morning, I picked up some "S" hooks at the hardware store. I probably should have gotten larger ones that could hold more than one utensil each, but I like the less crowded look. There are a few heavier ones lower down that may be used for pots.

I only have one more box to unpack in the kitchen. Things are still cluttering the countertops as I try to figure out where to put them, but it's getting there. It's still hard for me to believe how long the unpacking is taking, but so many other things are demanding my time (projects, repairs, laundry...) that it will just have to take as long as it takes. I figure I'll be ready for a house-warming party by Fall. Maybe.