Thanks to a range of cooking devices, piles of tiny measuring tools, plus tough-to-stack pots and pans, the kitchen can be a difficult room to organize. Still, with a few quick tricks and some smart furniture shopping, it's possible to maximize the space and make food preparation an easier task. Struggling to tidy up your cooking area? Get inspired by these 10 clever tips for kitchen organization.
Contrary to popular belief, growing your own herbs is easy. No, really! Here are three low-maintenance, practically foolproof picks that will have you channeling your inner Martha Stewart in no time.
If you long for more storage or counter space but don't have the budget for a custom built-in, then fake it. These days, some off-the-rack kitchen islands are sleeker and more utilitarian than the options that come with a house. Ideal for renters, commitment-phobes, or people who like their furniture to multitask, these portable kitchen islands have a little something for everyone.
Today marks Oprah's 59th birthday, and although we aren't celebrating personally with the TV maven, we're honoring Oprah's special day with a few of her favorite things. As one who shares the latest and greatest, Oprah always fills her famous list with accents that incorporate the best of both function and style. We expect nothing less, Oprah, and you never disappoint. Happy birthday!
The truth is everyone needs a little help organizing from time to time. If rearranging your living space is one of your plans for the New Year, try a few of these strategies that will up your storage and maximize your space. We know it might seem like a daunting task, so that's why we've broken up these tips room by room. Start with baby steps, and you'll soon be on your way to a full-blown home makeover.
A kitchen is considered the heart of a home — a gathering place for family, the source of home-cooked meals, and our favorite place to be during any party. The best kitchens are both functional and personal. Here are the ones that we have been dreaming about all year long.
An easy way to inspire someone in the kitchen is to give them a cookbook they'll love. If you're a geek, that means cooking up the kinds of things you'd find in sci-fi, comic books, and fantasy novels. Since the holidays are great time to give cookbooks and try new recipes, how about taking one of these geek finds for a test?
The holidays are almost here, meaning many of us will be spending lots of time in the kitchen, or at the very least dealing with schedules that can make healthy eating difficult. For the healthiest, happiest kitchen during the hectic holiday, read our tips below.
Stock up: Making healthy substitutions is easy when you have what you need at the ready. If you're baking up a storm, stock up on butter substitutions like applesauce and Greek yogurt to save calories without changing the taste, and keep your pantry stocked with natural sweeteners, herbs, and spices to add depth and flavor to your dishes without needing all the sugar and salt.
Come armed: The thought of all that chopping and boiling after a day full of errands can make greasy takeout sound tempting, but a few essential tools of the trade can help you stick to your healthy eating goals. From a mandoline that makes slicing all your veggies a breeze to a stackable steamer that can cook an entire meal, here are some of our favorite healthy kitchen tools and gadgets to buy in time for your busy season.
Fridge strategy: A stuffed fridge makes it hard to know what your food situation is. Take time now to clean out your fridge so that you don't have to deal with finding room for Thanksgiving leftovers and holiday treats later. Also be sure to keep it stocked with healthy produce so you'll be more likely to reach for an apple than a bag of chips when hunger strikes. For more on how to keep a healthy fridge, read our tips here.
Germ-free: Between reusable shopping bags and raw meat, the amount of germs that can possibly lurk in your fridge is no laughing matter. Minimize the risk of coming down with something nasty by throwing away expired foods and keeping different cutting boards for different foods. Read more of our tips for keeping your kitchen germ-free here.
One of the easiest ways to adopt a healthy lifestyle is to start cooking for yourself. The more you learn about food and what it does to your body, the more likely you'll lean toward fresh, whole foods. And while getting into the kitchen can seem like a feat at first, having the right arsenal of tools will make every meal a cinch to whip up. Here are our picks for the appliances, gadgets, and cookware every healthy home cook should own.
According to our friends at Zillow, new parents Molly Sims and Scott Stuber have another reason to celebrate. The model and movie producer couple just scooped up a classic Hamptons stunner in Wainscott, NY. While the 5,000-square-foot home includes a list of charming characteristics, like a classic shingled exterior, ocean views, custom French doors, and a wine cellar, we're particularly taken with the home's professional chef's kitchen. Leading to an open dining and living space, the kitchen serves as the true focal point of the home. An abundance of natural light is emphasized with buckets of white paint, while warm wooden countertops, farmhouse pendants, and open shelving create a design scheme ideal for a modern country couple. Keep reading to discover the products we found to replicate the look and check out Zillow's blog for more pictures of this charming estate.
