Real-Life Kitchen Makeover

After: Hidden and Open Storage

Stash zone. A puzzle-tight pattern of hooks and holders utilizes every inch of this cabinet (spices were relocated; see next page), with spots for keys, cameras, scissors, and glue. Wendy keeps school directories and other papers that formerly cluttered the refrig-erator in the wall pockets below.

Message center. A wall-mounted organizer and a kitchen cart make a non-area work hard. Wendy uses the bulletin board to hold to-dos and gift cards. The small bamboo newspaper caddy is also ideal for to-be-mailed bills, and key rings and money clips can stick to its magnetic surface.

Purposeful pantry. The family goes through a lot of cereal; clear bins let Wendy know when to restock. A charging station keeps gadgets juiced, and a hand vacuum rescued from the garage is at the ready. Wine bottles previously scattered around the kitchen stay secure in a floor rack.

To buy: Bekväm cart, $60, ikea.com. In cabinet: Formbu key racks, $16.50 each, organize.com; Wall pockets, $25 each, organize.com. Above cart: Umbra bamboo organizer, $14.50, organize.com for info.; Daily System Office organizer, $54, potterbarn.com; Corkboard, $34: potterybarn.com for stores. In nook/pantry: KangaRoom charging station, $25, organize.com; Handled containers (cereal), $7 to $10, containerstore.com; Desk organizer with drawer, $60, stacksandstacks.com; Letter bin (on wall), potterybarn.com; Cru wine rack, $180, umbra.com.