KITCHEN REDESIGN ADVENTURE: WORTH THE HYPE OR NOT?
I totally get what you mean about those Pinterest kitchens. They look amazing, but I swear, the minute you actually try to live in one, it’s a whole different story. I tried the all-open-shelves thing for a while and honestly, unless you’re Marie Kondo-ing your mugs every other day, it just turns into a dust magnet and a clutter zone. Deep drawers, though—game changer for pots, pans, even mixing bowls. Way easier than fishing around in lower cabinets.
If you’re thinking of mixing deep drawers with some open shelves, here’s what worked for me:
1. Figure out what you *really* use every day. For me, it was coffee gear, olive oil, salt, and a couple of mugs. That’s all I kept on the open shelves. Everything else went behind doors or in drawers.
2. Put the deep drawers close to the stove or prep area. That way you’re not trekking across the kitchen for a frying pan.
3. Don’t stress about matching everything. I used to think my mismatched mugs were an eyesore, but now I kind of like the “lived-in” look. Feels more like home and less like a showroom.
4. Accept that open shelves will get dusty. I just give them a quick wipe once a week when I’m cleaning counters anyway. Not perfect, but good enough.
I do wonder if anyone’s managed to keep those picture-perfect kitchens looking that way long-term... or is it just for the ‘gram? Have you found any clever storage tricks that actually stick in real life? Sometimes I feel like no matter how much I organize, there’s always that one drawer that turns into a junk zone...
KITCHEN REDESIGN ADVENTURE: WORTH THE HYPE OR NOT?
Deep drawers are the MVP, no question. I tried those fancy pull-out spice racks once—looked cool, but honestly, I just ended up tossing everything back in a basket. Also, junk drawer? I’ve surrendered. It’s just part of kitchen life at this point...
KITCHEN REDESIGN ADVENTURE: WORTH THE HYPE OR NOT?
Deep drawers are a game changer, totally agree there. I used to think I’d love those vertical pull-out spice racks too—until I realized I’m not organized enough to alphabetize anything, let alone keep tiny jars upright. Now I just have a “spice zone” (aka chaos corner) in one deep drawer and call it a day.
As for the junk drawer, I tried to Marie Kondo it once. Gave up halfway through when I found three tape measures and a mystery key. Here’s my step-by-step for surviving the junk drawer: 1) Accept it exists. 2) Toss in random stuff. 3) Pretend you’ll organize it “next weekend.” Repeat as needed.
Honestly, the hype is real for some upgrades, but not all of them. Deep drawers? Yes. Fancy organizers? Meh, unless you’re already a tidy person. Sometimes you just gotta embrace the mess and move on...
KITCHEN REDESIGN ADVENTURE: WORTH THE HYPE OR NOT?
As for the junk drawer, I tried to Marie Kondo it once. Gave up halfway through when I found three tape measures and a mystery key.
This cracked me up because I swear every junk drawer is a portal to another dimension. I once found a single roller skate (no idea where the other went), a petrified raisin, and about six pens that didn’t work. Tried to “spark joy” my way through it, but honestly, some chaos just belongs.
Deep drawers really are the MVPs though. When we redid our kitchen last year, I was skeptical—thought they’d just become bottomless pits for Tupperware lids and rogue spatulas. Turns out, they’re perfect for pots and pans, and even better for those big awkward mixing bowls that never fit anywhere else. Plus, you can actually see what’s in there without having to crouch down and dig around like you’re on an archaeological dig.
I get what you mean about fancy organizers. We splurged on one of those pull-out corner units (the kind that’s supposed to make use of every inch), but now it’s just where we stash things we don’t want to deal with. It looks cool in theory, but in practice? Meh. Sometimes simple shelves or baskets do the trick better.
One thing I didn’t expect to love: under-cabinet lighting. It seemed like overkill at first, but now I can’t imagine prepping dinner without it. Makes everything feel brighter and less like I’m chopping onions in a cave.
At the end of the day, some upgrades are worth every penny—others just look good on Pinterest boards. Deep drawers? Yes please. Spice rack alphabetization? Not in this lifetime...
Deep drawers really are the MVPs though.
Couldn’t agree more. I thought they’d just collect junk, but now I can actually find my colander without a wrestling match. The under-cabinet lighting thing surprised me too—didn’t realize how much I was squinting until I wasn’t. Funny how the “little” upgrades end up being the ones you use every day.