I believe a kitchen should be functional. Things that are used often need not be hidden. My KA is currently on a cart. I am not tall so working at the counters is not ergonomic for me. We are currently remodeling and the KA will go in a cabinet with a lift mechanism. Not only will it be more accessible for me but we are going against manufacturers directions and making it work in a cabinet with a drawer on top so the shelf will sit about 6 inches below the counter top.

I don't think tools are clutter. Mail and non kitchen items are clutter. A working kitchen looks worked in as is how it should be.

Lucille my KA used to sit on the counter. But, during my many moves since the divorce it is once again banned to the floor in the pantry cabinet. Yes, I hate the haul it out... but I have so little counter space, it has to live down there.

Watchme, I have been dreaming of owning such a lift forever. I don't think it will ever happen... but I am dreaming on. The only permanent counter space hog is my toaster. I use it daily, and it has a place of honor.

Moni

I too have very little counter space. I wish I had room for the KA mixer on the counter permanently, but I haul it out of the china cabinet when I use it.

My KA is a permanent fixture on my counter. however, I have tons of counter space, so the kitchen tools are permanent there. I use my KA several times a week, so lifting that behemoth would no work for me at all.

I don't have much counter space, but my KA mixer and KA food processor are permanent counter residents. The mixer is a 1980's model and weighs a ton. Even though I don't use it as often as I used to, I can't imagine hauling it around. I'd end up never using it.

Mine is the 1980's model too... but I guess, I do a workout every time I use it. :)

Hmmm, I too have a mixer, a Cuisinart. It sits on a cabinet in the kitchen, that I keep all of my baking utensils, casserole dishes, cast iron cookware etc. It's actually a re-purposed stereo/tv cabinet, which I wouldn't part for anything.

I use it so seldom, yet I thought it was something I wanted. I keep the bowl covered with a shower cap to keep the dust out of it. I bought it off Kijiji and it's a great machine, but what do you all use your KA mixer for?

I have acres of countertop, but the 18" between the cooktop and the wall ovens seem to get the most use -- along with the space between fridge and sink. (But y'all know I'm no cook!)

Jas, I make bread, cookie dough, whipped cream for special cakes... oh, the cake batter, and when I make a bigger batch, I do my potatoes in it, for mashed potatoes. You know, anything you could use a mixer for. ;)

Moni

My KA lives on a rolling butcher block stand (Ikea) and comes in and out of my pantry/laundry. I have counter space, but its about 1/8" too tall to slide back under my upper cabinets. One stretch of counter does hold my Keurig, bread box, food processor (also heavy like the mixer). It doesn't look cluttered to me, it looks like a kitchen ;0) Where food is prepped and cooked.

I too keep my large KA mixer on the floor of the pantry. Because it is so heavy, I try to use my KA hand held mixer. But for the big jobs, I lug that baby out. If you are going to park it on your counter, you might look on Amazon for a nice cover for it.

I have a pink cover with a side pocket that holds the different mixing attachments.

I have a lift shelf, but I keep my food processor on it. I find the lift somewhat awkward to use and relocate my food processor to a counter if I will be using it extensively. If I had a choice, I would rather have a roll-out prep table of some sort. The KA is stored in the pantry because I don't use it often enough to keep it out.

I have a space on the counter for mine, but what I would give to have a pantry. My "pantry" is in the garage. That is a 150'+ trip...times how many items I forget or run out of something. Plus having to shut off burners etc. for safety.

I am probably in the minority, but if it cannot be enclosed in a cabinet, I prefer to just see the appliance rather than a cover.

I'm with watchme, as far as the idea that a kitchen should be designed to be functional and usable. I see too many new ones that seemed to be laid out by an interior decorator rather than someone who cooks.

At the same time, I don't like clutter. We leave a few things out (coffee grinder, toaster, a large cup of cooking tools) but other stuff and appliances are put away.

Like Alisande nd Oklamoni, mine is a 1980's Hobart KA, and yes, it weighs a ton. The only time it leave the counter is when we use the RV I don't think I could cook without it. LOL

Whatever works for you is the best option. If you use it, it isn't clutter.

Technically, I have plenty of counter space since I have an island, a butler's pantry and long counters. I keep the big coffee maker, the tea maker, toaster and can opener on the counter in the butler's pantry. That allows me to keep a minimum on other counters. I have to fight to keep the clutter down. These people I live with consider a clean counter available space to mess up. If we ever build another house, I want appliance garages again.

I loved this kitchen this mom I worked for had. She had a cupboard underneath that came up and there was also outlets, it was all together to plug in the appliances she was using and not lifting up and out on counter these appliances, she had a fantastic big kitchen, tons of counter space but didn't like appliances out and about everywhere and so having that lift up was perfect for her and kept her kitchen decluttered and clean looking.

Kathleen, that plan sounds just perfect.

I think people should set up their kitchens in the best way that works for them. What is clutter to some is a working kitchen to others. I don't have a KA so that's not an issue. We have a decent amount of counter space and on our counters there is a toaster, big potted Aloe Vera, container of cooking tools, knife holder and a microwave.

kathleen44, I think what you are describing is what I call an appliance garage. There may be other names. Some have doors that lift up. Mine had doors that opened out like regular cabinet doors. I had an electrical outlet in there. Mine was an afterthought that I had added while I was building my last house. If I build again, I will add more outlets and more appliance garages. The only drawback I remember was that counter space in front of it wasn't all that usable because you need to open and close the doors,

I don't have or need a KA but I do have several other similarly used appliances I use frequently. In the new kitchen I have one section of counter space assigned to those items. We put in several electrical outlets there too. I have my Cuisinart processor, ninja blender smoothie machine, aroma cooker, toaster, mini chopper, all of those live there and can be used there. The big drawers below that section of cabinetry hold all of the accessories associated with those machines. My big Island is on casters and can go anywhere I need it. I also have one of the really big authentic butcher blocks on wheels that can move around to use in various areas. With the new big open kitchen there's a lot space and a lot of countertops. I am in love with my rolling island. I don't know why it isn't something more people want. My granite guy has sold quite a few now though. I highly recommend these.

I keep things out I use all the time -- it's silly to put them up and then get them out or if it's a real PAIN to get out (i.e. KA mixer) -- but I have pared down my countertop items -- I have my wooden spoons, etc. (because of lack of drawer space), coffee pot, sugar and flour and mixer and toaster and bread box . . . . and right now because I have fresh Texas oranges, my juicer -- we use it every morning for freshly squeezed orange juice. When they're done, it's put away!

We designed our kitchen in a remodel and the island was one of the features we included. With a prep sink, drawers and cabinets, and an eating area with stools on the far side. As was said, everyone uses their space differently but I wouldn't know what to do with a rolling counter or cart and I wouldn't give up the many features of our island to have one.

Dawn, nothing personal intended, but I've found that the word "clutter" isn't a nebulous term to people who keep their spaces tidy and organized, with proper storage spots to put away tools and items not being used.

Elmer, I hope you didn't feel I was singling out your comment about clutter. I was actually referring to my own experience. I tend to like things very neat and tidy, while my husband prefers a more relaxed approach. He doesn't feel it is clutter, but more of a practical way of doing things. Why put it away if he'll be using it again in the next month is his mantra while I feel that it only takes a minute or two to put things away until they are needed again. Between the two of us we have very different definitions of what constitutes clutter; thankfully we've been able to come to a compromise that works for us both. :)

I hope he knows how lucky he is to have connected with wise and saintly you!

I have a 1980's KA stand mixer and it sits very nicely in a dead corner on the counter and can easily be pulled forward. There is no way I could lift that danged thing! I don't use it that often, but when I do, I want it easily accessible.

I lucked out with this place,which in time will be our own.

Tons of counter space,and the main,long counter(10-12"in total) I try to clean clear of everything.

That long counter services the kitchen and dining area,so its' more than handy for before and after a meal.

On the sink part of the counter,is the coffee machine,the knife block and the toaster.

My Kenwood Chef circa 1950,sits under the long counter in a specially built cabinet for tall appliances.

The other,sometimes used smaller appliances,are all under the service side of the long counter.

I have a pot rack,which hasn't been put up yet to hold my numerous strainers & cast pans.

I prefer the counter tidy and cleared off, more for working on than anything.

Our KA stand mixer hasn't been used in so long, maybe I should consider passing it to my daughter that actually cooks. It is huge and we kept it a dead corner for a while, then it was stored in the pantry. At least two years since we've hauled it out for use.

I have a lot of appliances that are rarely used, but take up valuable storage space. I need to think of some multi-use for some and get rid of the rest. Hmm, I didn't even realize that their presence was disturbing me until I started writing this :-)

Yea, Elmer, he does. Although, I doubt he'd call me saintly!

watchmelol-we still live that way in this neck of the woods,for the most part.

I've been using a KA mixer several times per week (or per day, some days), since the 1980's, so when I remodeled the kitchen, I gave it it's own cubby at the end of the baking counter. I made the shelf above it higher--I can tilt it back to add ingredients, without pulling it forward. The attachments hang on hooks at the back. A few years ago I gave the old, Almond Classic to my DD, and bought an Empire Red Artisan. Love my KAs!

Bought my KA "heavy duty bowl lift" model in early 1979. It was on sale for $149. A comparable model today would be more like $500 on sale. In the 4 homes we have lived in since then, it has been given a place of honor on my kitchens counter, no matter how much or how little space. These days it gets very little use as I no longer have the stamina to put in the time and effort to create all the good things that it was used for over all those years.

My daughter lives in a home that has a KA of the same vintage. She has in the last 5 years or so bought many useful attachments for it and they are used a lot. For the month or so before Christmas, I don't think the motor on that machine has a chance to cool down between the batches of cookies, cakes and breads that they bake to give away. I will keep mine as a backup for her, just in case the unthinkable/improbable happens.

watchme, I grew up in the same era, the 50s into the late 60s were my growing up years too. I had a stay at home mother who'd prepare a ritual BLT for me to eat while enroute to school (if I wasn't getting a ride) but the rest of what you describe doesn't fit my experience at all.

I do a fair amount of baking, but still find that my mothership KA stays in the pantry while I automatically reach for my sturdy handmixer in its drawer.

I have plenty of counter space but truly prefer to keep it open and uncrowded. Our microwave sits midway on one side, my knives are handy near the food prep area near the sink, there's a tea kettle on the stove, some pottery bowls filled with tomatoes, lemons, and limes, and a vase of fresh flowers. I also have an utterly useless old wire egg basket filled with previously employed wine corks. Oh, and a terra cotta strawberry jar that holds my wooden spoons and bamboo utensils.

We rarely use a toaster or coffeemaker and every single appliance that I own has a convenient parking place in a cupboard, drawer, or pantry shelf.

I have a very tiny kitchen. Very little counter space. Like having the things I use every day on the counter. It was a wreck whenever I wanted to cook/bake. So, I bought two very pretty trays--fairly large. I keep all the things I use frequently in the trays. When space for baking, just move whole tray to next room temporarily. Sounds like more work than it actually is!

One of the problems you run into is taste and peoples' tastes are different. Some equate only totally empty as being neat and tidy while some (like me) think things can be out and be neat and tidy. Clutter is different to people also. To me, something useful and being used is not clutter. Some disagree. To me, plants are clutter while a coffeemaker used daily, and some cooking utensils in a crock (as examples) are not clutter. Some think just the opposite. Some think a cart or for that matter an island would be clutter. It's all opinion. Some value looks over functionality. I think form follows function. There's a lot of people who don't want their kitchen to look like a kitchen. OK. Again, it's taste. I don't worry about having my refrigerator and stove visible in my kitchen! Nor do I care if they don't "match" (whatever that term really means for a stove and a refrigerator or for that matter a washer and dryer to "match"!) Some couldn't live with different colored appliances. I have different priorities than a lot of people. I like having a relatively small kitchen. I didn't think I would at first but realized how much more efficient it is to have things within easy reach. Walking 20' from the stove to the the sink, then another 20' to get to the refrigerator and then going back to the stove wouldn't have been a problem in my younger days but the more I age and become less mobile the more valuable I find it is to have an organization scheme that works for me. And I can guarantee that a lot of people wouldn't like my layout and wouldn't find it functional for them.

Everyone is taking about mixers..but what about coffee makers? My biggest beef in changing to a Keruig was the counter space lost. The maker and the cups...I have little space but still somethings make no sense not to have sitting about. I thought getting a flat shelf would decrease the space lost then discovered too late that coffee maker was too high up against the cupboards when sitting on it. I guess bottom line if anyone comes into my kitchen they know I use it---often.

Five things we can learn from Julia Child's kitchen.

If you look, you'll see everything is out on the counters. I find her kitchen very much like she was, out there for all to see and love. I love her kitchen. I don't think it's a place to be minimalistic. It should be full of life.

I agree Rob. I have shelves and hanging pots and pans and all sorts of stuff in the kitchen. While the KA is not really clutter, it is the only appliance on the counter, because I have to have some clear space because the counter is so small.

Did you see Lucille? She had a bright blue KA mixer sitting prominently on her counter. She must've used it loads.

When I was in Washington with my daughter, and at the Smithsonian, Julia's kitchen was on our 'must see' list.

I saw Rob! I'd love to have the space for a nice worktable like she has.

My big butcher block is exactly like hers! I put a tall metal shelving system at one end of the kitchen where I store all my enamel cast iron pots of many colors and other large pots. They are open and visible and easy to get to I don't consider it clutter it is in its place. Right now I do have clutter on some of the countertops because I am still debating and determining where items will be stored. I planned out most of it in a notebook but I didn't think of everything.