Give Your Kitchen A 'Make Under'

To streamline the sink, simplify this spot with multi-functional products like the new Arbor faucet from Moen. The faucet’s pulldown wand eliminates the need for a side spray and its single-hole mount offers a refined look without the clutter of additional handles.

(ARA) - Think your kitchen needs a makeover? Why not try a "make under"?
   
"This concept of a 'make under' is growing quickly across the country," says Rebecca Kolls of Iconoculture, a global consumer research and advisory company. "While consumers are finding their way back home and finding comfort in its dry-walled embrace; they're also becoming stressed out by too much stuff. A 'make under' can not only make your space more simplified and efficient; but it also can alleviate a lot of the stress that accompanies a typical home improvement project."

Take Control Of Your Counters
An area of the kitchen that can quickly become cluttered is the countertop. From the coffee pot and bean grinder in one corner, to a mixer, blender and toaster in the next corner, there are often more gadgets than there is room on your countertops.
   
To take control of your counters, Kolls recommends seeking out multi-purpose innovations that save time, money and space, such as a streamlined power base that supports and runs multiple kitchen appliances -- from a coffee grinder and blender to a power mixer and food processor.

Streamline The Sink
Another spot that often becomes muddled with mess is the kitchen sink. While you may start with a simple sink and faucet, by the time you add a side spray, soap dispenser, hand sanitizer, lotion, water filter, dish soap and sponge, you can see this area can quickly become strewn with a wide variety of items.
       
To streamline the sink, Kolls again recommends simplifying this spot with as many multi-functional products and appliances as possible. One such example is a single-handle, pulldown kitchen faucet with a single-hole mount for a clean, refined look without the clutter of additional handles. Plus, the faucet's pulldown wand eliminates the need for a sidespray and offers added efficiency and maneuverability.
   
If you want to start on the smaller scale, begin by tidying up your cleaning items with a sink caddy. For less than $20, a rust-proof stainless steel caddy eliminates counter clutter because it affixes to the sink with suction cups and a wire ledge hanger, and works perfectly in a deep bowl sink.

Rationalize Before You Modernize
Kolls recommends asking the following questions before purchasing products for any home improvement project -- but especially a "make under":
   
* Do I really need this item?
      
* Will it save time, money or space?
   
"Sure, that waffle maker or juicer looks like a lot of fun, but will it really be used -- or will it simply become a dust collector on your counter?" says Kolls. "Really think about how you will ideally use your space before making a purchase. In the long run, you'll be glad you took the time to think through your decisions and will ultimately enjoy your space even more."