How to make kitchen space?

Hi Caud, I would get a tall storage closet and put it where your rolling cart is. It will act as a pantry and tidy up the space, plus give you more storage. You could probably find one for free on Craigslist, or maybe you have one in another room that you could use for that space. I would keep an eye out for a cupboard that matches the one's in your kitchen and put it over the washer/dryer. If you put locking wheels on your new table, it could do double duty as counter space when your cooking. One more space I see that's not being utilized, is your door! There are several over the door storage bins you can use.

Hope some of these ideas help!

Along the right side where there is currently some kind of cart and pictures? I would do open shelving floor to ceiling , leaving the bottom open to place the dog's bowls there. Where the table is currently, I would build bench seating which would also double as storage, then you could replace or cut down the current table you have there. The open shelving could house your canned goods (stacked neatly or in storage containers or cute baskets), and the bench would hold things you don't need every day.

its hard envisioning this room without photos. Do you have an IKEA near you? They have lots of storage ideas and small space organizers

1- the nook: I'd get rid of the cart, basket, and photos. Replace that with a floor to ceiling shelves no more than 12" deep. I would build under windows seating with storage space below, from the left window to the center window. ( only because there doesn't seem to be enough room next to the dryer and window for it) Replace the table with a small round one. Keep one chair. 2- Machines: To the left of the dryer, I would add tall, slim tower of shelves, all the way up. Remove the cabinet as it takes up space, then add more shelves from the tower over the washer and dryer. You could scoot the machines a fraction over to make an end wall to slightly separate them from the cabinet, and attach the shelves to. Hang some cute curtains to hide the shelves, or use storage baskets to hide the stuff. There should be enough space to keep the fuzzy kid's food bowls where they are. 3- kitchen: if you don't already have them, put pull out drawers/shelves in the cabinets with doors. And if you don't need the "garage", I would remove it, and gain some counter space. You will be amazed at the amount of storage you will get! You can also use the naked door for some creative storage. I would love to get my hands on your kitchen!😀

We had nine people living in a 1000 square foot ranch with one bathroom a few years back. It was my husband and I and our three kids, plus a mom and her three kids! So, I understand your need for storage and space! I wish I had seen these 'storage hacks' back then, we could have used them, some of these are really clever, and hope you can find a way to use some of them:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/twopoodles/lifehacks-for-your-tiny-kitchen?utm_term=.iiMVNpVEA2#.dmo6Yq6ZwK

You sure have a soft heart. Since there is not enough room for your needs, then be careful as to housing friends. Your needs come first, and since you are "MATURING" some of the changes should be made FIRST for your needs. Suggest other places where they can house themselves. Perhaps the cats and dogs can feed in a diff room, and this will save room, also. Best wishes, and be alert to room changes, for the slightest idea may be the great one to help you, save room, neatly. Have a special day, J.

Suzette made some great suggestions. You could also take cardboard boxes and either paint them or cover them in fabric to store items. This would give a more uniform and clean look. Over the washer/dryer you could put a spring rod with a curtain to cover the detergent and other items until you found matching cupboards.

thank you! we do have two more of these cupboards in garage we haven't put together yet there a little big and may not be able to use over washer due to lid opening from top but that is a good idea about the boxes and the curtain . Thank you.

If I were in your shoes, I'd eliminate the rolling bar cart and the basket just over it. It looks to be a clutter collector. Put a very tall bookcase or cabinet that's not so deep

in its place. If you go the bookcase route, hang a pretty piece of fabric over the less-attractive storage items with a tension rod.

You appear to still have some vertical space over the washer/dryer. Add more shelves and place your seldom-used items at the top. ON the washer/dryer, you might think about placing a removable wooden top so you have some counter workspace when you need it.

The area next to the dryer looks a little bit like a black hole to me. There appears to be space for a little shelf over where you have that stand and it looks like you might need to consider re-organizing things a little more efficiently.

See if you don't find some of these ideas workable in your little space:

http://dirtyfloordiaries.com/organizing-small-spaces-galley-kitchen-edition/

Thank you! I will check out dirty floor recipes! The cart the cats eat at so dogs don't get their food and the basket was put up to solve mail and junk everybody leaves on my dining room table. Yes it is an eyesore! I just got rid of some stuff off the shelves over washer but haven't reorganized yet. by the side of the dryer are more shelves for cereal and overflow canned products. Thanks again and going to check out that website!

So sorry about your mom. Hopefully you've made a full recovery, and remain well. I have remodeled and redesigned a few kitchens, closets, garages, etc. I love solving space problems, and decorating. I'm not a pro, so everything has been done on a shoestring budget and diy. It's a passion not a living!😀

I would get a stacking washer and and put it on that wall where your cart is. Use the entire wall space where the washer/dryer was previously and do floor to ceiling shelving. Organize your pantry items in baskets, containers, etc. so you can see everything you can and keep everything organized and neat. Or maybe even think about creating 3 cabinets along that wall - one designated to each set of people in your house. Good luck - it's not impossible! :-)

Hey! That's a great idea! About a caninet for each person!! I can't do stackable as there is too much wash going on in this house! lol everybody has large and heavy loads ( jeans, carhart jackets and overalls) . My daughters boyfriend works construction and mixes mortar so very sandy and dirty winter is bad with mud.im afraid a stackable wouldn't be able to handle the abuse! But that is a good idea! Thank you!

Can you hang all those white cabinets from the ceiling over the washer/dryer? Then you could put a few of these on the lower shelf .... https://www.containerstore.com/s/kitchen/cabinet-organizers/undershelf-baskets/12d?productId=10000700

For the space to left of washer, I would put in a storage tower, you would have to shorten the 2 shelves but you would get some good storage.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50263838/

Then in the kitchen, how about putting in toe-kick drawers under the cabinets to free up some of the cabinets for food storage. They even make toe kick pet food bowl holders. https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=how%20to%20make%20toe%20kick%20drawers&rs=typed&term_meta[]=how%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=to%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=make%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=toe%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=kick%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=drawers%7Ctyped

Go to Pinterest and type in Small Kitchen organizing ideas.... I am a caregiver and usually have to reorganize kitchens a lot. I kinda get ideas on Pinterest, they I go hit the thrift stores for cost-effective solutions. I recently did a 1910 kitchen 8 x 8' and we managed to find room for everything.

I will truly be thinking of more ideas to help you, what about storage boxes, and then you can put some shoes on top of the organized items. Or, with winter coming really quick, only keep out what you need for this season, and this may help you too. Put the spring and summer stuff under the beds til the new season begins, then you will can switch the items.

Best wishes, and take care of yourself, ok? We have a dog, and she is so much company, my hubby got her for himself.. but she clings to me!!! and sleeps on my feet.!!! So, you can tell who she clings to. Is there any organizations that can help you, call the Red Cross, and ask them, or Sr's that need help. There are organizations, it is just to find them. Take care now, and I will be thinking of you, ok? Best wishes, J.

I just saw that you said you have 2 more cabinets in the garage. Maybe you could stack them, and use them where the rolling cart is. You could even build shelves above it, and a shelf or 2 under them for your cat food.

Thank you! Good idea!

Keep us posted, on the outcome.

Good luck and happy decorating!

Thanks I will!

I commend you for taking in so many.

I'd get a shed and put it next to the back door. Either plumb it for the washer and dryer or put every pot, pan and other item not needed daily out there. The canned goods can go in cabinets. They need climate control - that's why I would not suggest putting them outside.

I'd also get a small travel trailer and move people out there to sleep and have some privacy then I'd move the washer and dryer back where it belongs.

Thank you!

I agree that the rolling cart should be replace with the wall cabinets from the garage or check out rehab store for a pantry to place there. then you can put cabinets over the washer and dryer to the ceiling for max storage. possibly a couple of floating shelves between the upper cabinets over the sink.

Of course not if you are buying sheds or travel trailers. Sheds can be built from scrap lumber or free wood pallets. Habitat for Humanity is a marvelous place for getting new and used things one needs. Used travel trailers are not expensive. They also can be cleaned up and fixed up inside. It just takes thinking outside the box....