My younger sister and her boyfriend are moving this weekend, and I get an email from her that goes something like this: "I've never had a kitchen with more than two cabinets, and now I have this fancy new kitchen. I'm realizing I have no idea where to put anything. Should the silverware go in the drawer next to the sink, or the fridge? Should the plates go to the left of the sink, or the right of the oven? Do you put all dry foods in the pantry and leave other cabinets empty when you have more space than you need? Anyway, I'm just realizing I have NO idea how to organize a kitchen!"

This made me realize how much I take for granted that people know where to put things, regardless of whether or not they've just re-done their kitchens, are embarking on a remodel, or are living with what they have. Since I can't get back to my hometown this weekend to help my sister organize, I'll do what I can via this Ideabook. Hope it helps her and maybe you, too. It may be a trial and error experience — it's all about intuitively feeling your way around a kitchen, and every space is different.