Opening Thoughts

To be honest, I've been feeling frustrated with my kitchen lately. Looking at the messy pile of kitchenware and condiments every day was making me feel terrible. Last week, I finally decided to give my kitchen a major makeover. While I initially thought it would be a hassle, after some research and practice, I discovered that renovating the kitchen wasn't as complicated as I imagined.

I've organized my insights and experiences, hoping to help others who are struggling like I was. Truthfully, a neat and organized kitchen can really improve your mood and make cooking more enjoyable. Moreover, a well-designed kitchen can significantly elevate your quality of life.

Extending to the Sky

I still remember the first time I visited my best friend's house - I was immediately impressed by her kitchen cabinets. They extended perfectly to the ceiling, creating an absolutely stunning visual effect! Previously, there was always an awkward gap between the top of my cabinets and the ceiling, which not only looked abrupt but also collected dust. Cleaning required standing on a stool, which was exhausting.

Later, I renovated my cabinets to extend to the ceiling like my friend's. The renovation wasn't particularly difficult, but thorough preparation was key. First, I had to measure everything carefully, including the distance from the cabinets to the ceiling and the width on both sides. Then I chose appropriate materials based on these measurements. I selected materials that matched the color of my existing cabinets for a coordinated look.

Pet-Specific Space

As a pet parent, one of my biggest headaches was storing my Corgi's supplies. Especially the food and water bowls that used to sit randomly on the floor - they were easy to kick and looked unsightly. I always felt embarrassed when guests came over and saw the dog food bowls and water dishes scattered on the floor.

During this kitchen renovation, I really thought through this issue. The inspiration came from a video I saw of an overseas cat owner who designed a drawer-style dining area for their cat. I loved the idea and designed a special drawer in the lower cabinets specifically for my Corgi's food and water bowls.

Storage Revolution

Speaking of storage, I've recently developed quite a few unique tricks. My proudest solution is using PVC pipes for cable management. Honestly, modern kitchens have so many appliances - rice cookers, ovens, microwaves, soy milk makers... all their cords tangled together can be quite frustrating.

While browsing at a hardware store, I had the sudden idea to use PVC pipes for organizing these cables. After bringing them home, I cut small openings in the pipes with a utility knife to thread the cables through. Then I sorted and organized all the appliance cords through the PVC pipes. To make the pipes less industrial-looking, I wrapped them with decorative tape that matched my kitchen's style.

Cosmetics Storage

Although this is a kitchen storage share, I can't help but share my insights on cosmetics storage. Actually, when you think about it, the principles of kitchen storage and cosmetics storage are similar - both need to consider frequency of use, space planning, and visual effect.

Take zoned storage for example - I now arrange my cosmetics according to usage order and frequency. The storage arrangement follows the same order as my skincare routine, from cleansing to skincare to makeup, making everything easy to find. I use many transparent storage boxes, which not only look neat and attractive but also make it easy to find things.

Space Magic

Speaking of space utilization, it's truly an art. While my kitchen isn't particularly large, this renovation helped me discover quite a bit of extra storage space. First is the use of corner spaces, which many people tend to overlook.

I installed a rotating storage rack in the kitchen corner, which has been incredibly practical. What used to be dead space has now become super useful storage space for various condiments and small kitchen tools, and everything is accessible with just a turn.

Final Thoughts

After this renovation, I've truly realized that improving life quality doesn't necessarily require spending a lot of money. Sometimes small changes can bring unexpected results. For instance, this kitchen renovation didn't cost much - I mainly spent time on planning and design. But the results have significantly improved my quality of life.

Now every time I walk into the kitchen, seeing these well-organized storage solutions puts me in a great mood. Cooking is no longer a headache but has become one of the moments I look forward to each day. Truly, a well-planned kitchen can inspire your cooking enthusiasm.

By the way, speaking of home renovation, I've recently started researching furniture refinishing. I have several old pieces of furniture that are still good quality but a bit outdated in style. I plan to start renovating them next week and will definitely share my experience with everyone. After all, who doesn't have some furniture they'd like to renovate?

That's all for this share - I hope it provides some inspiration. Every corner of life can be improved; the key is to discover with heart and change through action. Looking forward to seeing everyone's renovation experience shares in the comments!