Organizing a Small Kitchen - 10 Ways to Find Counter Space On the Cheap

I have done my share of downsizing and organizing a small kitchen can be difficult if you were used to lots of counter space and many cabinets!  Below are 10 ideas that you can make yourself or purchase online.

1.  Over The Sink Shelf

This is one of the easiest ways to get clutter off the counter, especially in a small space.  It is designed to avoid the faucet and is a great way to store everyday items you may need, which of course frees up counter space for food prep etc.

Over the Sink Storage

2.  What if You Have No Storage for Dishes at All?

You can get these tall racks that actually sit over the sink and are not only great for drying dishes but can also be used to store them.  This will get many things off your limited counter space by using the space behind the sink.  Who would have though of this?  This is such a cool storage idea and looks good and stylish!

Steel Dish Rack and Storage for Over Sink

3.  Using More Vertical Space with Chic Counter Shelves

You can get stacking shelves from the dollar store or you can also invest in the stainless steel look of shelves like these that are not only functional but good looking!

Stainless Steel Counter Storage

For under 25 bucks you can have the stainless steel modern look that can store a lot of supplies neatly on the shelves and under them.

4.  Get Awkward Appliances Off the Counter

The worst offenders are the small appliances.  Things like the coffee makers and the coffee pot can take up huge space.  There are ways to deal with this, and one of the best ways (beside's giving up your toast or coffee!) is to use the space under the upper cabinets.  I was pleasantly surprised by what you can get.

Spacemaker Toaster Oven

I know my posts are generally about saving money, but I really must admit this is an awesome use of wasted space!

5.  Add Shelves to the Shelves

Another option is to add under cabinet shelves to house those little things that take up so much room in the cabinets.  By using the vertical space under the shelves in your cabinets you can store things without stacking them on top of one another.

Under the Shelf Basket

6.  Under Sink Storage Around Plumbing

Under Sink Adjustable Shelves

Many people, including me, don't tend to utilize the storage under the sink in the kitchen.  With dishwashers, double sinks, and trash compactors, under the sink can be a mess of plumbing, and therefore cleaners tend to sit on the bottom of the cabinet.

These shelves work around the plumbing, and this way you can use the vertical space well as you can see in the picture.  It doesn't have to be cleaners, it can be anything you need to get off your counter but still have easy access to.

7.  Can Rack Organizer

Next place to really get organized to create more space is the food storage, in particular, canned goods.

If your shelves are taken up with canned goods, then storing them in a more useful way will not only make it easier to find what you want, but will give you more space for other items.

Can Rack Organizer

This is a very popular item, and you can totally organize your can storage and at the same time see just what is in the cupboard and not have them work their way to the back (like mine!) I found cans on moving day I didn't know I had!

The better organize the cabinets you have are, the less things that have to sit on the counter, creating more room.

8.  Magnetic Fridge Organizer

This one is super cool.  Using the side of the refrigerator for storage of spices, paper towels and more.  If you have the side of your fridge exposed as in the picture, this rack has heavy duty magnets to hold it in place.

Magnetic Fridge Organizer

As you can see in the picture, this will store quite a few things that might be hanging around your counter top, especially paper towels.

9.  Microwave Rack and Storage

If like many people, including me, your microwave oven takes up space on your counter, then instead of piling things on top of it, why not add some shelves?   This is a great way to use the space over the microwave in a more organized fashion!

Microwave Shelves

10.  Over Cabinet Door Organizer

If you have any cabinets, then using the doors is another awesome storage spot.  You can store hard to stack things like baking trays, cutting boards and muffin tins.

Over Cabinet Door Organizer

This rack doesn't cause any damage to the doors, as it simply slips over the top.  The trick is to utilize as much cabinet space as you can in an organized fashion so that the counter top remains clear.

A cluttered counter space makes it hard to do food preparation.  If you look closely at the things you need daily and come up with storage solutions, then you can make a small space work with very little investment of money.

I Hope the 10 Ideas Above Have Inspired You To Find that Extra Space in a Stylish Manner in Your Small Kitchen

If you implemented even half of the above ideas, you would be able to store a lot of kitchen supplies and in such a way that it is off the counter and easy to find.

In a small space you have to get creative with every square inch.  I hope I have inspired you to take a second look at your small kitchen and get organized for good!

Make your small kitchen an enjoyable space!

Tiny Bathroom Storage - 2 Instant Storage Ideas for That Small Space Without DIY and Under 200 Bucks

If you have a tiny bathroom, whether rented or owned, trying to find storage can be an issue.  If like me, you want everything you need in the bathroom to stay in there, then check out some of these two awesome ideas I came across.

Beside the Toilet Storage

Yes!  You know that little space between the toilet and the wall?  It can be utilized!  I found this cabinet that can house a lot of things, especially the toilet paper an other incidentals you may need while visiting this room.

Beside the Toilet Bathroom Storage - Only 6 Inches Wide!

At only 6 inches wide it can fit into some pretty tight spots and house a lot of supplies.  It is 24 inches tall and 16 inches deep.

This will get many things off the floor or the back of the toilet.  Looks slim and neat.  No DIY or damage required.  I found this one online with Amazon.


Over the Door Shelves

This is one of the easiest ways to create a ton of room, by utilizing the back of the door if you can.  You can get pocket style ones and others, but I especially like the idea of these shelves to house products, bottles and more.




Over the Door Baskets

There are 6 baskets in this unit and it fits over any standard door. Totally cool space saving idea, rather than those plastic pockets which can be awkward for bottles and awkward sized products.

The above two items will instantly create a lot of storage for your tiny bathroom, without damage or any DIY.

So if your tiny bathroom is looking "full" or you have to "plan" your visit based on supplies you may need from the hall closet, then consider investing in these 2 items..

For under 100 bucks you will have storage that makes life easier, and keeps bathroom supplies where they belong.

Start Thinking About Other Doors As Well?

This got me thinking about closet doors too!  This would be great in a bedroom or even a kitchen pantry or laundry area.

If Your Living Space is Tiny Beyond the Bathroom...

If your living space is tight, then take a look at any room doors, closet doors and such as a way to utilize vertical storage and get organized this year!

How to Clean Stuffed Animals - Without the Washing Machine - 3 Ways - Like New Again!

Stuffed animals are super cute, but if your kids have dragged them around, slept with them and played outside with them, chances are, they have become dirty and basically a Petri dish of germs and bacteria.

Some stuffies are machine washable, but many are not.  But there are ways to clean stuffed animals that work without dunking them in water, which if you have ever tried it, know just how ugly and disappointing they look.


Three Ways to Clean a Stuffed Animal.

First DIY Way - This is the quickest and works best for stuffed toys that are not super dirty but could use a freshening up.

What you will Need:

1/2 cup of baking soda
Clean plastic bag
Clean Towel
Covered Work Surface
Soft hair brush

Method:

* Take any collars or loose bits off the stuffy to clean separately.

* Place the baking soda in the plastic bag, and then place the stuffed toy in the bag.

* Tie it off

* Gently shake back and forth and up and down to completely coat the toy with the baking soda.  Do this for a few minutes.

* Remove the toy and with the clean towel give him a good firm wipe down to remove the baking soda.  You should already see that he is cleaner looking.

* Give the toy a light brushing if he is a plush toy to freshen up the fir.

* You are done!

Second DIY Way - This takes a bit more time but well worth it.

What you will need:

Large Dish
Gentle Clothes Detergent such as Woolite
Pre-Wash stain remover
Gentle Fabric Softener
clean cloths
clean tooth brush
soft hair brush

Method:

* Take off any loose things such as collars or clothing the stuffed animal may have on to clean separately.

* If there are any dirty spots or stains, spray first lightly with the laundry pre-treat and wait a few minutes (follow the label directions)

* Fill the dish with warm water and a small amount of the woolite or gentle detergent

* Wring out the clean cloth in the detergent water and gently massage the stuffy being careful not to soak the teddy or stuffy.

* For problem areas, use the clean tooth brushed dipped in the soap water to remove stains.  The toothbrush is your best friend with this method, it works well.

* Dump the water and refill with clean water and a touch of the gentle fabric softener

* Take a clean cloth and wring in the softener water and gently massage the stuffed animal again to remove any soap or pre-treat residue left.  Being careful not to soak the stuffy.

* Give a quick light rub with a clean towel and let dry naturally

* Take the soft hair brush and brush your toy to bring back the luster!

Third Way - Teddy Bear Cleaner Spray

The first two methods are DIY and using products you most likely have at home, but if you prefer not to do a DIY but want clean teddy bears, you can get a product specifically designed to clean and kill bacteria on your stuffed animals.



So before you get rid of those cute stuffies simply because they are dirty, give them a second chance with the above methods!

Dog Throwing Up? - Try a Raised Dog Bowl and a Slow Feeder Bowl

If you have a medium to tall dog and throwing up after they eat or burping has become a problem, then consider trying a raised dog bowl . before spending too much on different brands of food.

Our dog used to love laying on the floor to eat.  He was quite lazy that way, but at a 100 pounds, it was not good for his digestion.  There was constant burping and passing of gas and yes, throwing up undigested food within a minute of eating.

If your dog lays down, or even when standing has to put their head lower than their body to eat out of a bowl on the floor, there is a chance that food will simply come back up.

There are a couple of ways to deal with this.  Using Raised Dog Bowls, and/or Slow Eating Bowls.

A few simple tweaks in the way they eat, could stop the right after meals vomiting from either eating too fast or floor level bowls.

Adjustable Raised Dog Bowls

By raising the level of the bowls, they are not having to lover their head so much to eat. This will also stop them from laying on the floor to eat too (like my dog did). It helps with digestion, especially for a tall dog.

Eating Too Fast?

If the problem with your dog is he/she eats like they are never going to be fed again, and then promptly burps and throws it up, then check out these slow eating bowls.

Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

This will slow down any size of dog... up to 10x slower, so that they actually digest their food...

So, if you have noticed that your otherwise healthy dog throws up mostly undigested food (and usually they do it somewhere like a rug or the carpet!) and you are concerned they are not getting enough nutrition and also done with the cleanup involved, then consider investing in either or both above.

I found these ones online for an affordable price.  If this doesn't work then obviously they need to be checked by a Veterinarian, but it is something to try, to make meals easier and slower.

There are over 9000 great reviews for the slow eating bowl, and over 1200 great reviews for the raised dog bowls.

Depending on your dog, this could be the answer you are looking for.  The slow feeder stops them from taking huge mouthfuls.

DIY Ideas for Gulping and Raising the Bowls

1.  For Fast Eaters - If you are more of a DIY person, and don't want to get rid of your present pet bowls, then consider adding a plastic washable ball to the dog bowl so that they have to eat around it.  This will slow them down.  Some people have even used smooth rocks in the center.

2.  Make Your Own Raised Feeder From a Crate

Check out the video below to make your own raised feeders, using your present bowls.

This is a super cute craft!

When dogs gulp their food too fast, or eat at the wrong angle they swallow more air, which can cause bloat, gas and nasty air!  This can cause serious medical issues for your family pet.

It is worth a try!

If you keep changing foods thinking that is the problem, it may just be the way they eat.  It also becomes a habit.  So forcing them to slow down and eat at the right angle might just be the answer and you can stop investing in all those different foods!

Our dog has a raised feeder, it not only slows down her eating but keeps the bowls in place instead of skittering all over the floor.

On a side note:  Our cats seem to love standing up to this raised feeder to drink from the water bowl, so maybe this might be a great idea for cats too!

Easy Weight Loss Tips - Even for the Foodies Out There Like Me

It is New Year, and if weight loss was on your list, then check out this post before you take drastic measures that don't stick.

I once talked to the local grocery store manager as he was deciding how many chips and snacks to order in for January.

He said it was an annual bet among store managers as to how long it would be before people could not sustain their drastic meager diets, pack it in, and shop in flocks for their favorite snacks and chalk up this years resolution as a "been there and done that" failure!

So if this is you, then maybe just slow it down.  In a world where we want everything "right now" this may not sound like an exciting way to eat, but I know for me it worked.  I lost 23 pounds over the course of a year.

Tip:  Whatever diet you choose, it has to be sustainable or you will gain it back, especially if you are a Foodie like me!.

Step 1 - Take your most routine days, maybe week days at work and look at your food intake.

Step 2 - Try and find 250 calories without stressing.  This will be the only time you will do any calorie homework, as once you have it figured you will get into a routine.

Even if you can shave off 30 calories here and there over the day, it quickly can add up.  Maybe switch whole milk for cream in your coffee, or 1 sugar instead of 2 sugars.

"This is great, but what about the things I love such as cookies at lunch?"  Find some cookies that are a few less calories.  Don't go for low fat crap, just find some that are less, you would be amazed the differences between brands.  Find 8-9,  30 calorie items in your day and you are set.  A bit less cream, sugar, different brands of cookies or other foods to shave a few calories.

Tip:  It takes 21 days to break a habit and start a new one, so do this slowly if you feel anxious

Step 3 - DO NOT FEEL DEPRIVED!  Or none of the above will work.  If you love dessert, and giving it up causing anxiety, have a smaller portion or find another one that is less calories.

Step 4 - Now that you have found at least 250 calories in your day that you can switch out, stick with it until it becomes habit.  It might feel slightly different at first, but if you don't deprive yourself, you can stick with it.

Step 5 - Get more sleep.  Nothing screws up calories like lack of sleep.  I gained weight because I had insomnia until I discovered I had sleep apnea and then my hunger hormones settled down.  If you are getting 6 or less hours of sleep, then make some time for yourself in the evening and create a calming enviroment for at least an hour before bed, or your body will be looking for calories the next day.

Example, hot bath, chamomile tea, read etc.

Step 6 - Once you have shaved 250 calories a day and are getting more sleep, think about adding a walk around the block or if you have stairs in your house, go up and down them a few more times, or at work.  Nothing drastic just add a few more steps to your day.

If you can burn a few more calories with exercise this will speed things up.

The Trick to Easy Weight Loss - Slow and Steady Wins the Race

To not feel deprived.
Go slow with each step until you are used to it.

It takes 3500 calorie deficit to lose a pound, which is 500 calories a day to lose a pound a week.  If you half this amount, you will lose approx 2 pounds per month without feeling deprived or hunger.

I know this doesn't sound too exciting, but it definitely begins to add up.  With just a few little tiny tweaks this could be 24 pounds in a year.  or at least 12 pounds by summer without feeling deprived or taking drastic measures.

So next time you see your friends all moody, anxious and hungry trying the latest fad diet, you can feel great knowing you are losing weight your way.

.

Remember the Tortoise and the Hare Story?

This is not a race, this is a lifestyle change that needs to be sustainable.  Eating low calorie diets and cutting out food groups can totally upset your systems and make you feel horrid.

What is the point of losing the weight if you feel horrible?  Plus there is every chance you will gain it back when you stop.

So if you struggle with weight loss, then try something a little slower and something that will stick.  Don't cut out too much, simply do some switches.  Small changes become habit in 21 days!