Common kitchen problems and how to fix them

Unless you’re Nate Berkus, we’re guessing you’ve come across some issues in your kitchen that you would like to fix. We’ve identified some of the most common problems that homeowners experience in the heart of their abode and come up with solutions for each of them:

1. Lack of counter space
When you’re preparing dinner, there never seems to be enough space. Give yourself more room on the counter with a moveable cart. The piece can stay tucked away in a corner when it’s not in use, but can easily be added on to the end of your countertops for additional space.

2. Not enough light
Having plenty light is vital in the kitchen, especially because you’re working with sharp tools. One overhead light won’t give the space enough brightness for you to cook and bake. Add on more layers of light, like ambient and accent lighting. Get creative with where you put these lights – try placing them underneath your cabinet to help you with chopping and slicing produce. You can also use wall sconces to provide extra illumination throughout your kitchen.

3. Missing storage space
Even if your kitchen design is lacking space, there are always creative ways to keep clutter at bay. Open up room in your cabinets by transferring bulky pots and pans to a pot rack above the kitchen island. Add open shelving to available wall space to put dinnerware on display.

4. Blocked traffic flow
When you’re preparing a meal in the kitchen, you have to move from the sink to the stove to the cutting board to the fridge. This can be made difficult if you have a bulky kitchen island in the way. Consider repositioning your island so there is at least 42 to 48 inches of space around each side. To make the island even more functional, consider adding a built-in cutting board or a second farmhouse sink.

5. Dirty cookbooks
Food can easily splatter onto the pages of your cookbooks, making the recipes harder to read and quickly destroying the look of the book. Protect the pages by covering them with a clear plastic bag.

6. Cracked plates
It’s easy to drop a plate when you’re drying the dishes or putting them away, but next time you find a crack in your dinnerware, don’t sweat it. Simply put the plate in a pan and cover it with milk. Let the milk come to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes. This process helps heal the noticeable cracks in the plate.