Improved cupboard utilisation

Days out · May 21, 2017

Been thinking about how to pack more in the cupboards under the sink and cooker.

Today I made some small dividers from MDF to improve the space utilisation. I used carpet to line the sides of some of the compartments to reduce noise and allow the plates and utensils to grip the sides again to reduce noise and rattles.

I used to keep all my plates and cups etc in a box but every time I wanted anything I had to get it all out but now each items is easy to access.

Also I used to put the food in a bag then store in the cupboards but now as you can see there is more room and things won't go flying about inside there.

Took about two hours to make. Will test it out during my next excursion....

Verity · May 22, 2017

Those look good. We too have things in boxes in the cupboards, but it drives me nuts having to get the boxes out all the time to get anything out. Plus they are opaque so I can't see what's in which box. As we use the Cali more, I'm getting used to where everything is, but I can definitely see the advantages of your system.

Meoncoast · May 22, 2017

What works for one person may not for another. What I like about campervaning is the different things we do to get the best from our vans.

Verity said:
out. Plus they are opaque so I can't see what's in which box.

our boxes are opaque but different colours.which helps, green for food brown for loo paper , and so on.

Verity · May 22, 2017

Meoncoast said:
What works for one person may not for another. What I like about campervaning is the different things we do to get the best from our vans.

our boxes are opaque but different colours.which helps, green for food brown for loo paper , and so on.

Well that would also have been a good idea, but we spent ages finding the right boxes and we could only get one colour. Now that we've had the van for 6 months, I think I can confidently put some labels on the boxes so I don't keep muddling them up. They fit well and stop everything jiggling around.

Days out · May 22, 2017

Meoncoast said:
What works for one person may not for another. What I like about campervaning is the different things we do to get the best from our vans.

our boxes are opaque but different colours.which helps, green for food brown for loo paper , and so on.

Agree. Of course each to their own.

I've just got fed up opening boxes or bags to get to each item.

The idea to make dividers allows for tall cereal boxes on the left with cans and packets on the right but as you can imagine it's not totally flexible for all.

The reason for the post was to show the concept. If you have thick cardboard or even thin aluminium sheet a similar design could be achieved.

Also the use of carpet to hold and grip and dampen items has been used before but as you can see it also provides good packing for my plates which incidentally are squircle shaped and thus work very well with the layout.

I've had the Cali for almost a year now and thought I'd sussed the stowage but this concept has certainly allowed me to pack more with less "rummaging around"

The colour coded idea you mention Is also very good idea but I guess it limits your clothes a and food choice to primary colours? Ok if you are Geoffrey off Rainbow I guess!!

Wind Witch · May 22, 2017

Verity said:
Well that would also have been a good idea, but we spent ages finding the right boxes and we could only get one colour. Now that we've had the van for 6 months, I think I can confidently put some labels on the boxes so I don't keep muddling them up. They fit well and stop everything jiggling around.

Do you have any photos of your set up, please, Verity? My original set up just isn't working and after six months I need a rethink and I'm open to taking advantage of others' good practice :thumb

Verity · May 22, 2017

Wind Witch said:
Do you have any photos of your set up, please, Verity? My original set up just isn't working and after six months I need a rethink and I'm open to taking advantage of others' good practice

We've got these ones - 6 x small ones (2 each per shelf) and 1 large one which takes dinner plates etc.

http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/cra...tan-style-small-stacking-box-dark-brown-p1550

CYCLOPATH · May 23, 2017

I am a box fan
With a slightly creaky back,I dont like bending and rummaging,
So I have boxes that act like draws, I just slide them out and everything is visible
Thé right lower one still Comes out when the bed is out, so that has all the tea making stuff.
Really I would like to make proper sliding draws
Has anyone done this?

Wind Witch · May 23, 2017

Verity said:
We've got these ones - 6 x small ones (2 each per shelf) and 1 large one which takes dinner plates etc.

http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/cra...tan-style-small-stacking-box-dark-brown-p1550

Thanks Verity. They look like just the job. I will investigate more fully when I get a moment...

Teejay · May 24, 2017

Verity said:
We've got these ones - 6 x small ones (2 each per shelf) and 1 large one which takes dinner plates etc.

http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/cra...tan-style-small-stacking-box-dark-brown-p1550

Would you be able to post a picture(s) with all the boxes in place?

BikerGran · May 27, 2017

I like boxes as I can pull them out to get at stuff in the back. After a year of use I'm pretty well sorted with the most used items at the front of the boxes.

Verity · May 27, 2017

Teejay1 said:
Would you be able to post a picture(s) with all the boxes in place?

Here are the pictures. I apologise that the cupboards are such a mess. My husband took the pictures. Being completely anal, I would have tidied up a bit before taking the pics!!! Anyway, you get the gist ....

BikerGran · May 27, 2017

Your cupboards ARE tidy!

(Note to self - don't let anyone look in my cupboards!)

Hotel California · May 27, 2017

Yellow rubber gloves in a Cali....a whole new world....!

BikerGran · May 27, 2017

hotel california said:
Yellow rubber gloves in a Cali....a whole new world....!

Maybe you don't wash up...........

Hotel California · May 27, 2017

Yes i do , almost every time it's me on the sink.....those gloves are to me to wear when cleaning a public toilet or treating patients with a very bad disease .

Only time i wear rubber gloves is when working with agressive fluids or paints or so...

Verity · May 27, 2017

hotel california said:
Yellow rubber gloves in a Cali....a whole new world....!

I'm a girl. I like to keep soft hands! Just for washing up ... nothing kinky to see here!

BikerGran · May 27, 2017

Verity said:
I'm a girl. I like to keep soft hands! Just for washing up ... nothing kinky to see here!

And i get dermatitis from the slightest touch of detergent like washing-up liquid!

BerndRos · May 27, 2017

hotel california said:
Yellow rubber gloves in a Cali....a whole new world....!

Maybe to go with a high vis jacket....in order to wave all the Marco Polos....off the scent of a Cali meet...

Verity · May 27, 2017

BikerGran said:
And i get dermatitis from the slightest touch of detergent like washing-up liquid!

Yup me too. Hands like sandpaper if I don't take good care of them. Nanette Newman lied about Fairy Liquid!

Hotel California · May 27, 2017

For my two worker hands doing the dish is the time my hands finally enjoy a nice hot bath....!

Anyway , we are way off-topic here...

Teejay · May 27, 2017

Verity said:
Here are the pictures. I apologise that the cupboards are such a mess. My husband took the pictures. Being completely anal, I would have tidied up a bit before taking the pics!!! Anyway, you get the gist ....

View attachment 22242

View attachment 22243

Thanks for the pics the boxes look to be a great fit, end to end. No puns or remarks just a thank you for the images

shudycamps · May 28, 2017

Wher

Days out said:
Been thinking about how to pack more in the cupboards under the sink and cooker.

Today I made some small dividers from MDF to improve the space utilisation. I used carpet to line the sides of some of the compartments to reduce noise and allow the plates and utensils to grip the sides again to reduce noise and rattles.

I used to keep all my plates and cups etc in a box but every time I wanted anything I had to get it all out but now each items is easy to access.

Also I used to put the food in a bag then store in the cupboards but now as you can see there is more room and things won't go flying about inside there.

Took about two hours to make. Will test it out during my next excursion....

View attachment 21981 View attachment 21982 View attachment 21983 View attachment 21984 View attachment 21985

Where do you store your cooking utensils such as pots and pans?

CYCLOPATH · May 30, 2017

Verity said:
We've got these ones - 6 x small ones (2 each per shelf) and 1 large one which takes dinner plates etc.

http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/cra...tan-style-small-stacking-box-dark-brown-p1550

Hi Verity
I like you box solution...i was just using cardboard boxes
..I was just about to buy, but measured first ...the large box is43.4x32.5. It doesn't fit thé T5.1
I think you bought small and medium......
Only mentioning in case someone else doesn't measure
PS neither are big enough to bath in !!

Verity · May 31, 2017

CYCLOPATH said:
Hi Verity
I like you box solution...i was just using cardboard boxes
..I was just about to buy, but measured first ...the large box is43.4x32.5. It doesn't fit thé T5.1
I think you bought small and medium......
Only mentioning in case someone else doesn't measure
PS neither are big enough to bath in !!

Thanks for spotting that! There were only two sizes available in the shop when I bought them (that classy shop where I spend a lot of time these days, The Range)!

Improved cupboard utilisation

Days out

Verity

Meoncoast

an Ocean by the Sea

Verity

Days out

Wind Witch

Verity

CYCLOPATH

Wind Witch

Teejay

BikerGran

Growing old disgracefully

Verity

BikerGran

Growing old disgracefully

Hotel California

BikerGran

Growing old disgracefully

Hotel California

Verity

BikerGran

Growing old disgracefully

BerndRos

Verity

Hotel California

Teejay

shudycamps

CYCLOPATH

Verity

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