Just take a deep breath and wait for the dust to settle. The main thing is not to hurry into anything. Once you get the scorpion problem under control, you should have enough cupboard space to get by for a while. Meanwhile, does there happen to be a closet in the hallway or somewhere else nearby that you could use as a temporary pantry? Any space in an adjacent room that could hold a free standing armoire or something similar? Even that could help your situation for a while.
Give the place a chance to show you what the space does well and what you should address with a remodel or addition. While the space may seem microscopic to you, it is much larger than the kitchens our parents and grandparent used to raise their broods.

That's actually not a small kitchen at all, even though it may feel that way because of the funky layout. :) I'm sure it will feel much larger when you are able to get rid of the scorpions! That would be my first order of the day. I wouldn't even unpack at all until a pest control company paid a visit or two!

You asked about organizers to help the current situation, and I immediately thought of Julia Child's peg board where she hung pots and pans and utensils. You could box in the fridge with pegboard and use both sides of it for all kinds of storage. A pot rack above your sink would also help with storage. You can buy after market slide out shelves for the lower cabinets as well as some spice organizers etc. for the uppers. But the best thing you can do for storage is to purge your belongings. With you having things boxed up from a move, you are already primed for this. If you haven't ripped all of the boxes apart looking for a particular item or gadget, then you can probably live without it. Most of us don't use but 3-4 pots and pans regularly, and storing the rest in a storage cabinet in the garage can make the space you have seem bigger.

Another thing I'd address would be the traffic patterns through the kitchen. Traffic can make even a large kitchen seem small if folks keep interrupting your prep. Can you post a layout of the current space plus the breakfast area and where all of the entrances and exits are? That fridge sticking right out in the way doesn't help things and I think you might be able to tweak your current kitchen for more utility now without waiting until you do an addition.

While I can totally understand not liking Ikea (for a variety of reason, not having a modern aesthetic among them), they have a number of different door styles and they are definitely not all funky modern. They have straight-up shaker options and a beadboard look. If you've looked and none of the styles suited you, fine, but if you are working off of your own expectations of Ikea, maybe you should take a look.

When I grew up, we had a really tiny kitchen, much smaller than yours, and stored canned goods and some staples on the back porch and in the basement. Can you carve out some storage space from another room for a pantry?

Your kitchen has some really nice features, like a big frig, a wall oven, and a 70/30 sink. Someone on here, I can't remember who I'm afraid, told about how before they enlarged the kitchen, she had a narrow galley kitchen. She made a rule that no one could be in the kitchen when she was working. Everyone was expected to understand that the space was just too small for two. This would apply to everyone - guests,kids, DH, and scorpions. Even if people have to walk through, they would need to keep walking,not stop to chat. Would a rule like that help you?

So....how much are you willing to do? You say you want more counter space and more storage, but haven't told us what you're willing to do to get it.

It's kind of tough, for example, to increase the counter space in a kitchen of this configuration if you aren't going to be touching cabinets, counters, & appliances. The best suggestion in this case would be to get a rolling cart with a butcher block top for workspace and then roll it into a closest or other room when not in use. But, when it's in the kitchen, there won't be room for anyone else...just passing through or not.

Would you be willing to replace the cooktop with a range and then eliminate the oven and use that space for more storage? Or, make that area into an open counter for a bit of counter space to the right of the refrigerator.

Another idea, if you're willing to take your existing cabinets and move them around... Put the sink where the cooktop currently is, put the DW to the left of the sink.
Put a range in the space vacated by the DW and the sink and put the cabinet from where the DW is now and put it to the right of the range.

Similarly, move the upper cabinets.

Food for thought!

When we moved from a house with a generous kitchen to one with a small kitchen (about half the size, literally). I packed my kitchen in boxes labeled A, B, C & D. The A's were the must haves and the following letters were in lesser priority order. I unpacked As, then Bs and never made it past that. I had my Cs and Ds in storage for almost 5 years. A few pieces were usable from a pantry unit in the bsmt, but most stayed packed up. I was able to cook, but frequently wished I had access to everything. When we unpacked in our newly renovated and enlarged kitchen, I have to admit that I did toss a few items and unpacked the rest gratefully. You can get by with less than your full complement of stuff. Don't get me wrong, it is nicer to have a fully stocked kitchen and also to unpack and store all food items in one room, but that will make the new kitchen all the more exciting. I used to pack some grocery bags for the kitchen, some for the garage (sep fridge and freezer out there, small one in kitchen) and another grouping for the bsmt. When I'd make dinner, I'd be grabbing supplies from all over. Now, it is such a joy to bring home supplies and put them away in the kitchen (great concept!).
Your day will come and you will get through the meantime. Keep your cooking stuff narrowed down and make somewhere else for your backup pantry. It is worth it in the end...

It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed right now. The best thing you can do for the moment is take it one day at a time and allow yourself to get settled into the new space. No need to rush. Your kitchen actually has a lot more storage space that you think and by incorporating utensil organizers in the drawers and swingout organizers/lazy susans in the base cabinets, you should be able to get everything squared away with what you have. The key thing is that extra storage is not a real solution for the real problem, which is your fear of using the lower cabinets because of the scorpion infestation. I would recommend that you deal with that first and foremost. Bring in pest control and get it properly taken care of. With the base cabinets freed up, you will likely discover that you have all the cabinet space you need after all.

The problem with racks or open shelving is that you don't seem to really have the room for them, at least from the picture that you submitted. On the other hand, I counted four double door base cabinets with drawers, plus another set of drawers as part of the wall cabinet on the right. I think the space is there - now just get rid of the scorpions so you can actually use it!

Here is a link that might be useful: www.BestKitchenGuide.com - Find More Info There!

Scorpions!!!!
After screaming my head off, fainting to the floor,
I would follow the ideas on GW link. You are not alone as
you will see. You can get rid of them.

CUTE!!!
You have a CUTE kitchen with lots of potential. Don't worry
you are going to create a beautiful space to work and enjoy
cooking. No worries. You can do this. Anyone who can battle
scorpions can easily transform their kitchen.

I love Ginny's idea of a rule for the kitchen. This would
be perfect for the short term. Gosh, I don't have a galley
and I want this rule.

When the chaos disappears get out the camera and take
a few more pictures. How high are the ceilings? What
are the measurements? What is behind each wall? Is there
a window? Pantry? Looking at your picture you have
some fantastic light coming from behind the sink wall.
And the wood cabinets look solid. The backsplash tile is
clean and nicely down. And that refrig is perfect for
a growing family. All great features that can work.

And lastly I am not a fan of IKEA either.
(Now watch the arrows fly, WAIT...make that scorpions)
~boxerpups

Here is a link that might be useful: GW how to get rid of scorpions...

What boxerpups said about scorpions. In that one statement, you made me grateful about mice, earthquakes and the coming hurricane.

I wouldn't suggest a rail system for you. They need some height between the rail and the bottom of the cabinets. Those darned europeans frequently have 24" between the counter and the first upper.

What I might suggest is some shelves over the sink to hold everyday dishes.

The ref placement makes me think there might be open space where a properly sized ref would fit (something to consider getting) or room for a pantry cabinet of some sort. Possibly, you could pull off the old "cabinet above the ref" and get a nice sized unit that could hold either food or stuff. The potential might be there to build a closet pantry.

If the ref is a near miss for the old space, if pulling down the cabinets would allow the ref to move back, then do that.

Just blueskying, but if the ref could fit where its supposed to, then the wall area where that fridge is standing becomes available for a set of shelving - either exposed or with doors. Maybe with a butcher block cart tucked into it?

Those are the only small things I can think of from the picture shown.

You have my admiration for facing the scorpions! I'd be in a hotel.

Can you post a couple more pics from different vantage points? I agree with the advice to let the dust settle. Also, I was thinking the same thing as Buehl about swapping the sink and dishwasher, and I like bmorepanic's ideas about the fridge. Maybe give those some thought, if you're willing to do some rearranging?

Side note to bmorepanic - haven't seen you around lately and thought maybe you had left. So glad to see you're still here!

~ MM

I confess I'm frustrated because I feel like I'm being told to appreciate what I have instead of getting usable suggestions... I need to clarify some things.

This is a farmhouse. The kitchen has been "renovated" with updated cabs & appliances in the past but not expanded and I don't think the rewiring has been re-done since the 70s. It's small, but we fully intend to expand. I don't want to plunk money down into rearranging plumbing, gas, electrical appliances, whatever, if we're gonna need that money later for the expansion. All I want right now is some easy non-demolition ideas.

I fully realize that we need to let the dust settle before we do anything drastic, and we are. We probably won't even start the remodel for at least 2 years. Like I said, I need to get this kitchen workable NOW for our CURRENT needs.

In addition to 4 kids, my parents very recently (literally 3 days after we moved) moved in with us unexpectedly due to a bad fall and major health issues. Since the tiny bedrooms were already full, they're living in what is supposed to be the living room. (would have given them our BR but it's upstairs).

In the photo I posted, the only thing behind me is a window on a wall that serves as traffic to the living room (which is to the left) and the stairs (on the right). Just past the fridge is the front door. The rule about keeping people out of the room while I cook sounds great, but considering it is the pathway from the front door makes that pretty impossible. On the other side of the sink wall is the dining area - there is no breakfast nook. The dining area is more like a closet, and is already full with our kitchen table and chairs, the freezer, my husband's work desk, and a bookcase. In other words, what you see in this photo is what you get - there is no extra space to be had elsewhere.

Scorpions - yes, we have had our first pest control treatment. But scorpions are notoriously hard to kill. Also, the treatment has to be done in rounds to hit them during certain times of their life / reproductive cycle in order to be most effective. I'm not so dense that I wouldn't be handling that issue.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we now have one diabetic and one celiac eater, so we have extra medications and food supplies to be kept on hand. (Those drawers under the wall oven are stuffed full with a glucose monitor, a nebulizer, first aid supplies, etc).

And it's not like I have all this kitchen stuff that I need to purge, as many of you suggested or hinted at. I do have some specialty pans because I bring in extra money doing cakes and things, but I never had a lot of stuff to begin with and I already got rid of a lot before I even packed.

Now everyone is going to be asking why we bought this place if it's so small and there's no storage (there isn't even a garage). Many reasons - it's in a fantastic area with top-rated schools and low crime, came with 20 gorgeous acres!!, and was priced at nearly half the assessed value. So please don't be judging me for choosing that. We always planned to remodel it but due to the addition of my elderly folks who need medical care and assistance, I'm sure that process will be delayed for some time.

So, what I am asking for is any ideas - not judgements - on how to make this space work for the here and now. Thank you to those of you that have done that. I apologize if this sounds overly defensive but I'm stressed to my eyeballs and feeling very picked on right now.

... the lower cabinets are not as large as they may seem because the plumbing runs through the back of them. The cab under the kitchen sink is almost completely taken up by the water filtration / aeration / pressurizer system because the house is on well water.

It is clear you are beyond stressed right now. The unexpected addition of elderly parents with support needs is enough even at the best of times. I think if you reread the comments above you will see there are no judgements rather there is a collective one of understanding.... and while not all offer advice you can use, there is advice none the less.

I like the suggestion of adding some beautiful shelving above the sink to hold your everyday dishes. This appears to be the only bare wall in the kitchen which can then become some of the additional storage space you need. The ceiling looks pretty high - can you add some storage above the cupboards for items that are not in need everyday? If a remodel and addition are in the works even 2 yrs away (which will fly by!) then pare down to the basic needs and store the rest (is there a basement?) As you have said pouring money into this kitchen with an addition so close just doesn't make sense. What is the timeline for being able to use the lower cabinets again?

Adding additional pictures would be helpful even with your description - you never know someone here could have a brilliant idea with more info or floor plan!!

TC, you need some TLC. Your plate is very full, and you have little time or space to set it down. I imagine that trying to meet three generations' needs while still in the throes of a move to a new house can make you want to pull someone's hair out sometimes. Hope you soon have more moments filled with peace, grace and joy to enjoy your family and lovely setting.

Now on to your question. One way to get more counter space and possibly storage is to add a small return peninsula and cabinet(s) to the end across from the oven if there's at least a couple of feet before the wall. This is temporary so it doesn't need to match, won't help with the tight layout as it will only make it tighter but fulfills your add'l storage goal. You can find both at places like Habitat Restore if near you.

If there isn't room there to place a counter with cabinet(s) below, you can add just the counter on two end legs which can be placed over the existing counter so you don't lose access to the existing end cabinet. Buehl's rolling cart could get placed there when it's not floating as as island in front of the DW.

It's hard to tell what I'm seeing reflected in that cute mirror, but depending on the size and location of the window wall we can't see, a storage unit could be built-in encasing the window. That small mirror over the sink could be lowered a bit and shelves or a small cabinet could go above it. Or it could be replaced altogether by an inset medicine cabinet. Again, none of these are ideal, but may be useful temporary solutions.

I don't see other solutions as you're apparently storing things on top on the cabinets already, but if those are just decorative items perhaps you'll be able to add real cabs to the ceiling for more seldom used items.

Scorpions!! You just described my nightmare scenario. You sound understandably overwhelmed. I absolutely agree with others that having the scorpion problem completely resolved should go a long way to making your kitchen feel a lot better to you. I'm so sorry that everything seems to have come at you at once. Hopefully with a little time, things will calm down enough for you to feel settled.

I love the idea of open shelving over the sink. Or possibly you might be able to find a cabinet to go over the sink. (My parents have a full sized cabinet over their sink and I never thought anything of it until I came to this forum. It worked just fine. You could also consider a short cabinet.)

If a rail system isn't your style, perhaps you could just install some basic hooks underneath the upper cabinets for hanging regularly used items. If you know just what you're storing, you don't need a dynamic system, just an appropriate set of hooks.

I would recommend spending some time planning out a good organization strategy to make the necessary things (like daily dishes, cereal, etc) accessible. I have a fairly small kitchen and have found some reorganizing has helped my kitchen feel less squeezed.

Would it be possible to move some (or all) of the medications, first aid, etc from the kitchen into the bathrooms? I imagine freeing up some of those lovely drawers might help with your storage concerns.

Best of luck with everything going on right now. Hopefully with time some of your sources of stress will work themselves out. In the meantime, you have my sympathy and concern. Hopefully some of the suggestions from this thread might be helpful in alleviating some of the stress.

Short-term extra counter space can be found by mounting a fold-down table under the window. Ikea makes one, I'm sure there are others. It will completely block traffic when in use, but disappears when not. Also, you could put some shallow shelves between the studs on that wall (if there's no wiring in the way) for canned goods, spices and glasses.

Best wishes to you -- you do have a lot going on and I hope you can find some quiet time to recharge at some point.

Just one tiny idea for you. I did this a few months ago in my own kitchen and should have done it a long time ago. I found some 3M hooks at the hardware store and am now hanging my cooking utensils from them. They're wire hooks on a white base and barely show up on a white wall (or the side of a white cabinet, in my case). No holes needed and they will come off without damaging the surface underneath. I intended them as a temporary fix until I get around to doing something about my lack of counter/drawer space around the stove, but now that I have had them a while, I think I might like them as much or more than a rail.

I see that there are some more potentially-useful things on that site if you click the "kitchens" link.

If I had your kitchen I would probably replace the mirror over the sink with open shelves and store the cereal there (we also go through a lot of it)... though dishes might look better if you don't care for the Seinfeldian cereal-in-the-open look. :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Command hooks

The area above the cabinets could be curtained off, if you want to store items up there but don't want to look at them all the time. I am imagining a simple curtain on a rod, with the rod resting in hooks screwed into the ceiling. You'd need a step stool to get up there, but it might be a good place for things like extra boxes of cereal and bulk paper towels--anything big but not too heavy or fragile.

Check out the Rosle rails on Amazon (biggest selection).

A little more stylish. But make sure you buy TWO of whatever mounting brackets

It's an expensive line, but you don't HAVE to use everything Rosle. You can just use Ikea or any old S hooks, or any accessories that will hang over the rack. They anchor deep into the wall or cabinet above and can hold a fair amount of weight -- I have a couple of pans and a lot of lids and things on mine. Just make sure you have the right attachments.

Ikea also makes knife magnet strips that would keep knives out of the drawers. Just a thought. I think they're less than $10.

Another possible tip: Bring in a piece of furniture like a hooiser, step-back cabinet or other storage solution with a little counter in the break in the middle. Some are not too deep, back to front so they could be put somewhere you don't quite have room for it, but NEED it. Check antique shops -- this should not even be too expensive.

I'm sorry you're having a pileup of stressful events. Things will gradually sort themselves out. I promise.

Some of these suggestions may be slightly off the wall or over the top for you, just ignore what doesn't work.

Shallow shelves over the sink are the most obvious first thing. A lot of dishes would fit there.

Snacks on the counter (cookies/fruit): where are these eaten? Could they be stored there instead of in the kitchen?

Do you use all your appliances? If not, store stuff in the oven, DW or MW.

Rather than a rail system under the wall cabs, how about an extra shelf? A simple plywood box screwed up into the underside of the wall cabs will mean you don't have to screw through the tiles. A bread bin could also fit in that area to clear space on your counter.

Hanging baskets - those multi-tier wire baskets might fit in a corner or in front of the windows and store fruit etc.

Narrow shelves across the windows - could be glass, with glass items stored on them, to preserve your light.

Between-the-studs storage on any piece of open wall where you can't come outwards with shelves.

Food storage under beds in everyone's bedrooms. Roll out drawers, plastic boxes etc. We keep our winter squash under the bed!

Portable counter sections that fit on top of drawers. Pull out the drawer, place your counter on top, and you have extra counter space. Practicality depends on the strength of the drawers.
How much space is there in the wall cab over the MW? If it's full of vent and you can't put anything in it, take the doors off, screw hooks into the top rail, and hang your pots from them.

Good luck with the scorpions. I thought rats and mice were bad enough :(

I have a kitchen storage problem too although my actual square footage is not that small my kitchen has 5 doorways into it thus limiting pantry space. I think shelves over you sink will provide alot of space. I had a dead space behind my basement door that I easily and cheaply added narrow shelves and the bowls on them hold my potatoes, onions and fruits. I got unfinished shelf brackets at Home depot and I used my tile cutter and cut marble tresholds found in flooring section to fit the space. I think you could add quite few on any open wall space and they would be very usefull above your sink the project cost less than $30 and took less than a few hours. Hope it helps. Here is a pic sorry it is not the most beautiful solution but it did solve a problem.

Hi Texaschaos,

I apologize. I did not mean to sound un-supportive.
Humor never translates well please forgive me. I had no
idea what you are going through and my suggestions were
simply following what I read from your fist post.

"...open to any suggestions y'all may want to throw out at me. "

I understand now that life is spinning in a tough vortex
these days. Here are some more specific ideas that
I hope might be helpful.

If you can't go out to expand for storage you might
try going up like this the pic below. Get a folding step
ladder to reach those upper cabinets.

~boxerpups

Growing up my mother had a system like the lower right
in our pantry. It hung pots, pans and even extra utensils.
She did not have baskets but I know she would have loved
baskets.

Space Savers.com
http://www.spacesavers.com/Storage/Kitchen-storage

Rolling Shelves.com
http://yhst-55148511090951.stores.yahoo.net/?gclid=CLOe_tv57aoCFQnc4Aod8i2DPw
Outwater plastics
http://www.outwatercatalogs.com/home/index.cfm

THANK YOU, all. I just want to apologize to everyone... I am admittedly overwhelmed and it was no excuse to be snappy with y'all who were trying to help. And it was my fault for not explaining the whole situation in the first place.

There are some very good and creative suggestions here that will help. Part of my problem is that I am normally a very organized (okay, so DH calls it "OCD") person, and this lack thereof is contributing to my nuttiness.

The pest control people will be out again in about 2 weeks, and then again about 30 days after that. A couple days after their next visit, I should be able to start using the lower cabs (though I will need to clean them all out again before the next spraying). I also discovered the hard way that I am very allergic to scorpion stings and am now the not-so-proud owner of a box of Epi-pens, courtesy of my doctor.

DH found a larger-sized water aerator/pressurizer tank thingy at a nearby farm supply store and will be installing it in the actual wellhouse later this week, so that will free up a lot of space under the kitchen sink.

On the bright side, Dad is enjoying it here. He sits in a rocker on the porch for hours, listening to music and just watching wildlife. I haven't seen him this relaxed in years. He has dementia and struggles to even speak, but he has smiled a lot lately as he points out birds that catch his eye (the cardinal seems to be his favorite). There are days when it feels like he has slipped so far away, and I hate the helpless feeling. I'm not ready to let him go, you know?

Anyway, I do apologize to y'all for being snippy, and appreciate your advice and patience.

Treasure you dad's happiness and the fact that you can share whatever connections are still there for as long as you can. Keep a positive outlook and savor what is still there even though it may vary day to day or moment to moment. Join him in sitting out there and let go of your stress sometimes too.

As bad as it was to hear about scorpions, the allergy is worse. Do be careful. We have epi-pens for my son's shellfish allergy, but the only time one has been used was an accident. He reached into a duffel he'd taken on a sleepover and the cap had come off the pen. He injected it into his thumb and we had a little excitement. It's been at least 6 years now -- maybe 7 or 8. Hope you never need yours.

It's hard to get organized or feel creative when you are overwhelmed and stressed. Just get a grip on the immediate problem and then work on making it better one step at a time. You've got lots of ideas, and you'll come up with others. Don't miss out on what you have left with your dad.

The picture of your dad smiling at the wildlife is a nice one. He may not have all his faculties, but if it gives him joy, that must be a comfort to all of you. The best you can do now is to meet him where he is mentally and see that he enjoys what he can and stays relaxed. I am so sorry he is going through this. It can be harder on the caretaker past a certain point...

I am sheepish to admit that I was fooled by the mirror over your sink and thought it was an opening to the next room. As others have suggested, that is the most likely place to be able to add some storage. There have been many good descriptions and pix above for that.

Perhaps you can add a pot rack to your ceiling as well. It may need to be a little higher up than normal if you don't have an island below it, but it would free up a lot of cabs space and could be re-used when you re-do the kitchen someday.

If the kitchen has a pullout trash, you may look into refitting that cabinet as a normal pullout and using a freestanding garbage can that can move out of the way when needed.

Treasure the moments as lascatx suggested. It is very hard to watch a loved one succumb to dementia, but if he's able to gain a bit of peace and happiness from your beautiful location then you're providing an extra special gift beyond housing and caregiving. The dream kitchen is not as important as the love and support you and your family are extending. When you're feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, hold on to that thought and feel a bit better about being able to be a blessing through the challenges.