Placemat storage
oldalgebra
14 years ago
This post is inspired by Dining Delights latest blog post.
I have about a gazillion placemats. This is just one cupboard's worth. (The top shelf has tablecloths that fit the pull-out table.)
Formally, after spending an entire morning organizing them, I'd find that they were back to one big messy pile in about 2 months.
I think I've discovered a way to keep the placemats organized.
I've placed a large piece of cardboard between each set of placemats.
When I find a color I want, I lift up the cardboard on top of the set with one hand, and use the other hand to pull out the cardboard that's directly under the set. The whole set of placemats comes out along with the bottom cardboard, without disturbing one single mat in the rest of the stack. Works every time. I've often thought that I should pull a Martha Stewart and cut the cardboard into perfect rectangles and cover each one with contact paper, but I've never even gotten close to acting on that idea. Anyway I thought I'd pass this along.
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excessfroufrou
14 years agoRelated Discussions
How do you store your placemats???
Comments (10)I use a lot of linen placemats and it is very vexing to want the kind that's on the bottom of the stack. No matter how careful you are, you can easily wrinkle a whole pile of them. My solution was to design a cabinet with doors that open to reveal a bank of very close together pullout shelves, so each kind is stored in its own stack and I can peel off what I need in a jiff. Below that I have several deeper (meaning the sides are higher) pullouts which are for napkins. I have some dividers on those to keep those stacks from falling over. As we only use cloth napkins, I need a lot of storage for them. HTH, Molly...See MoreHow do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where?
Comments (0)Once you've finalized your basic design, it's time to analyze your storage needs in each zone. The results of that analysis will drive the size & configuration of your cabinets and drawers. First, make a list of everything you plan to store in your new kitchen, regardless of where it's stored now...kitchen, basement, dining room, etc. Next, take the list and group the items according to function. Will they be used during prep? cooking? baking? cleanup? Some items, like pot holders, may belong in two different zones (in this case, cooking & baking). You can either find storage between the two zones or have duplicates and store one in each zone. Now, determine where each of your zones will be (prep, cleanup, cooking, baking, storage, etc.) The next step depends on the stage you are in the design/order process... If you've already ordered your cabinets, then you will have to work with what you have. So... Identify the storage potential in each zone and list them on a piece of paper with a section for each cabinet (base & upper) and one line per drawer or shelf in that cabinet. This includes your pantry for your "storage" zone. Take the two lists and, while imagining yourself working in each zone, put the dishes, tools, etc. that you will be using in cabinets in that zone. Fill in the lines in the cabinet list with these items. If you are still in the design phase, you will have the opportunity to plan your storage to meet your needs in each zone. Take your list and imagine yourself working in each zone. Go through the motions to determine the best locations for each item that will be used and stored in that zone (don't forget that you will probably have both upper and lower cabinets). Now that you know where to put the items, determine what the best way is to store those items (drawer, shelf, etc.) and what size (e.g., pots & pans work best in 30" or 36" drawers) Lastly, transfer what you've done to your design & tweak as necessary. You should now have a well-thought out and highly functional kitchen! Sample storage map: This process and the resultant "map" will not only help you to "see" how things will fit, but the map will also help when you move back into the kitchen...you won't have to think about it, you'll be able to just put things away. It will also be a handy map for everyone to use when attempting to find things the first few weeks w/o having to open every drawer or door! Oh, and don't forget the Junk Drawer! Most people end up with one, so you may as well plan for it so you at least have control over where it's located! skip line Common Zones, Appliances In That Zone, and Suggestions For What To Store There: Storage--pantry & refrigerator--Tupperware, food, wraps & plastic bags Preparation--sink & trash/recyclables--utensils, measuring cups/spoons, mixing bowls, colander, jello molds, cutting boards, knives, cook books, paper towels Cooking--cooktop/range & MW (and near a water source)--utensils, pot holders, trivets, pots & pans, serving dishes (platters, bowls, etc.), paper towels Baking--ovens/range--utensils, pot holders, trivets, pots & pans, casserole dishes, roasting rack, cooling racks, cookie sheets, foils, rolling pin, cookie cutters, pizza stone, muffin tins, paper towels [often combined with Cooking Zone] Cleanup--sink & DW & trash--detergents, linens, dishes & glasses, flatware Eating/Serving--island/peninsula/table/nook/DR--table linens, placemats, napkins, dishes & glasses, flatware Utility--broom, dustpan, swifter, mop, cleaning supplies, cloths, flashlights, batteries, extension cords Message/Communication/Command Center--keys, phones/answering machine, charging station, directories/phone books, calendar, desk supplies, dry erase board or chalkboard, pens/pencils, sticky notepaper skip line Less Common Zones: Tea/Coffee Bar--tea/coffeemaker (and near a water source)--mugs, teas/coffees, sugar, teapot Snack/Beverage Center--near MW & refrigerator or small refrigerator--snacks, snack dishes, glasses [often combined with Tea/Coffee Bar] Pet Zone--feeding area--food, snacks, leashes, medicines (if no children in the home), etc. skip line Overlapping of Zones Due to space constraints, some zones often overlap. If this is the case in your kitchen, be sure there is enough work space in the overlap for both activities. Zones that commonly overlap... Prep & Cooking Zones--These zones should be adjacent to each other, so this is a common overlap and is generally not a problem. Just be sure you have enough room for prepping as well as landing space for the range/cooktop. (It is strongly advised you have enough room for emergency landing space on both sides of a range/cooktop.) Prep & Cleanup Zones--If there is only one sink in the kitchen, these zones will be adjacent to each other because of the need for a water source for both zones. However, true overlapping is not generally a good idea. Instead, try to keep the cleanup area separate from the prep area by putting the sink between them. E.g., DW on one side, Prep Zone on the other side. (You should strive to keep the DW out of the Prep Zone as well as out of the path between the sink and Prep & Cooking Zones and between the refrigerator and Prep & Cooking Zones.) Also try for at least 36" (42" or more is better) of room on the Prep Zone side of the sink for ample workspace as well as accommodating the inevitable dirty dishes that will accumulate next to the sink. skip line Commonly Used Items: pots & pans, utensils, small appliances, linens, pot holders, trivets, dish detergents, "Tupperware", knives, pitchers, water bottles, vases, picnic supplies, cook books, etc. Foods: Spices, Breads, Flours/Sugars, Teas/Coffees, Potatoes, Onions, Canned Goods, Dry Goods (rice, pasta, etc.), Cereals, Snacks Small Appliances: Toaster, Stand and/or Hand Mixer, Blender, Breadmaker, Toaster Oven, Food Processor, Crockpot, Waffle Iron, Electric Skillet, Coffeemaker, Coffee Grinder, Ricer, Steamer SPECIAL NOTE: If your ceiling or one or more of your walls is coming down, consider wiring for speakers, TV, Computer, etc. skip line Some helpful threads: forestfire..please help me with my lists [Missing In Action as of 5/16/10...if anyone has saved it, please let me know by emailing me via "My Page"] List of stuff in kitchens? What should go within easy reach of the cooktop? What goes where? Reloading the new kitchen, any tips where things should go?...See MoreNot Sure Where To Ask This - Can You Put Plastic Placemats On Top of
Comments (18)Everyone....I didn't understand how it would void the warranty, either. I was hoping someone here would shed some light on that. I think companies just tell you that. I love everyone's idea about using something that you can just throw away. I will pass that along to her. And I think I will try that on top of my cabinets. Sure would beat having to take the plastic placemats and washing them. To those who said you never have to clean if there is molding up there....the molding I have seen in other homes does not go all the way to the ceiling. There is still a space. I would think it would still get dirty up there....See MoreBar Carts and Liquor Storage
Comments (46)That's why I think bar trucks that visited neighborhoods like the ice cream truck offering fru fru cocktails would be a great idea. And there would be no worries about the patrons drinking and driving home at least . . . Bars did do truck visits (also including food) to one of my friend's suburban Lancaster neighborhoods during the pandemic last summer. Not sure if that was a one time exception or if it could legally be a thing . . . I know they have traveling bars on the NJ beaches . . . I'm always trying to parse the best alcoholic bang for my buck, weighing quality, flexibility, and in my case, irritability. I usually only had vodka on hand, as it has the least amines for urinary tract and headaches, but now whiskey and brandy are supposedly the least irritating to the gut, along with various expensive aperitifs. I wish I could afford a good pear brandy, it would be an awesome mixer. It hits all my notes except cost . . . at one time I investigated pear wine for the same reason . . . now too many calories on both . . ....See Moredining_delight
14 years ago
party_music50
14 years agodining_delight
14 years agojeannespines
14 years agolynninnewmexico
14 years agooldalgebra
14 years agoluckygal
14 years agoluvstocraft
14 years agooldalgebra
14 years ago
Purplemoon
14 years agolynninnewmexico
14 years agoWell, you've inspired me to clean out and reorganize my two placemat drawers. It needed to be done anyway, but at least now I can show you what my hard board (former-placemat) dividers look like. They were very pretty when they were new and before they started warping some:
I store all my placemats in the two deep lower drawers of my antique mahogany buffet, with the board dividers in between some of them. I really need to find more someday soon!
Karen, love your board placemat!
Lynnoldalgebra
14 years agojeannespines
14 years agoPurplemoon
14 years agokathleen_li
14 years agoluvstocraft
14 years agocinlo
14 years agodining_delight
14 years agophonegirl
14 years agoWell ladies it sounds like you are having a good time and all you need to do is convince Luvs, retirements over! Her rose placemats are beautiful and I'm sure would sell well with the LOL on them!!!
Yes Luvs, I will help if need be. I'm starting to be a night owl so why not be painting. Do I get to add something to the LOL on them?
It is so amazing what great ideas come about on here. I can see all kinds of ways to store with boards in between. I keep redoing and DH said he will put another shelf up in the laundry room closet above the washer and dryer for me when he's feeling better.
Punk
Love jumping in and playing when I have time. I have four drawers for napkins and another shelf for place mats. I still have some placemats out in the shed so hopefully I will get them back in when the snow quits.
This is one drawer of my napkins. The others blurred.
These are most of my placemats.luvstocraft
14 years agooldalgebra
14 years agojeannespines
14 years ago
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