Top Five Tips for Enhancing Your Kitchen Without Remodeling… From a Professional Designer

TIP #1: Upgrade. Trade in your microwave for one that also offers convection capability. This will give you a second oven this season for all those pies and desserts you’ll be making. Microwave/convection combos are available in countertop, built-in and over-the-range formats.

TIP #2: Put your backsplash to work. Take advantage of untapped wall space for spice and utensil storage capacity convenient to your cooktop or range. There are terrific wall systems available on the market that can free up drawer and shelf space and vastly increase the workability of your kitchen.

TIP #3: Roll out new shelving. If your base cabinets offer only an adjustable half shelf in the middle, trade up to full-depth roll-outs. While you lose a few inches on the side, you gain far more in convenience, comfort and extra capacity. You can order custom-sized wood roll-outs online or at home center stores.

TIP #4: Organize your drawers. Look for drawer organizers available in houseware sections that separate your dinner forks from your salad forks and your wisks from your spatulas. There are drawer organizers made for knives, as well.

TIP #5: Relocate. Consider the drawers and shelves in your work triangle – those cabinets and countertops between your refrigerator, range and primary sink – to be sacred ground. The only items that should be stored in this area are those used for everyday food preparation, clean-up, consumption and serving purposes. Move the once-every-few months items to other storage spots, so that it’s easier to find what you need when you need it.