Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1489027
How to organize your cluttered kitchen LGI Homes from page 1 In addition to ex- traordinary community amenities, homebuy- ers are sure to love the stunning new- construction homes of- fered here. LGI Homes is constructing a variety of floor plans that have been carefully crafted to meet the needs and desires of the active adult buyer. Homes in this community range in size from 1,446 square feet to just over 2,300 square feet with a variety of two- and three-bedroom plans available. Residents will love the attentive details built into every new home such as open layouts, chef-ready kitchens, wide doorways, walk- in showers, covered front porches and back patios, as well as an abundance of windows making every room feel airy and bright. Space to host during the holidays will never be a problem again. Inside every new home at Summit at Liberty is a host of de- signer-selected features and finishes included at no additional cost. Showcasing an excep- tional interior package by LGI Homes, homes in this community come outfitted with sprawl- ing granite countertops, oversize wood cabinetry with crown molding, a full suite of energy- efficient, stainless steel Whirlpool kitchen appliances, 2-inch faux-wood blinds in- stalled on all operable windows, luxurious vinyl-plank flooring and more. Homebuy- ers will also appreciate the included energy- efficient features such as double-pane Low-E vinyl windows, a pro- grammable thermostat, LED flush-mount En- ergy Star lighting and included solar panels. With home prices starting in the $370,000s and quick-move-in op- portunities available, there has never been a better time to purchase a new home at Summit at Liberty. To learn more or schedule a tour, please call (877) 899-1091, Ext. 84, or visit Summit AtLiberty.com. Content provided by LGI Homes BY METRO Kitchens serve as the heart of many homes. Thanks to the popular- ity of open floor plans, kitchens also tend to be highly visible from nearby spaces, such as family rooms and even main entryways. A messy, cluttered kitchen can be an inefficient eyesore that's visible from various locations in a home. That makes getting organized in the kitchen a worth- while goal. The following are some tips to help home- owners organize their kitchens. Start with the utensils Utensils come in all shapes and sizes. Take inventory of your uten- sils, discarding or donat- ing items you don't use. Next, designate drawers or countertop storage solutions for the utensils you use most often. Place them within easy reach, and take into account your dominant hand for placement. Categorize the pantry Empty the pantry, pay- ing attention to staples you regularly use. Then figure out a system for categorization that works for your household. Per- haps place all baking es- sentials together, such as flour, oil, baking soda and cocoa powder. Maybe you need to designate a so-called kids corner in the pan- try where you keep fruit snacks, granola bars and breakfast ce- reals. Use uniformly shaped containers to store packaged foods so you're not contend- ing with oddly shaped boxes and bags. Use extra wall or ceiling space Large pots and pans can eat up cabinet space or clutter the inside of an oven for those who don't have any other space. While your decorative enamel Dutch oven might fit nicely on a shelf or counter, cast-iron pans and skillets can be hung from durable hooks over an island or near the stove. Organize under the sink It can be difficult to keep cleaning products tidy and within reach. Try installing a short tension rod inside the cabinet and use it to hang spray bottles, rub- ber gloves and cleaning cloths. Use kitchen cabinet rollouts A shortage of stor- age space in cabinets can be remedied with rollouts. They provide additional capacity to cabinets and make it easier to find items, instead of having to dig at the back of dim cabi- net recesses. Tame those containers It's tempting to save all of those takeout containers or empty margarine tubs for left- overs. But if there's an avalanche every time you open up a cabinet to reach for a container, you probably have too many. Invest in one type of storage container so you can nest the con- tainers and lids for ulti- mate organization. An organized kitchen is more attainable than it may seem. Some simple strategies can help home- owners make these home hubs less cluttered and more calming. BY METRO Excitement is the order of the day when welcoming a new pet into a home. Families often go to great lengths when picking a new pet for their household, spending significant time studying specific breeds and preparing their homes for the new addition. Despite that preparation, no one truly knows how a family dynamic will shift until the pet comes home. Adults who have had pets in the past may know what to expect when welcoming a new pet to the family, but kids with no such experi- ence may need a little coaching. The following are some ways parents can prepare youngsters to welcome a new pet into their homes. Emphasize respect The Animal Hu- mane Society urges parents to teach chil- dren how to touch animals with respect. Many children natu- rally love animals, and that enthusiasm may compel them to be a little overexcited in their initial inter- actions with their new pet. In such in- stances, pets may feel threatened, even by small children, which could lead them to bark, growl or lunge at youngsters. So it's important for parents to teach children how to approach and touch their new pets before bringing the animal into the home. Explain body language The American Kennel Club notes that decipher- ing a dog's body language is an important part of communicating with the animal, as dogs utilize posture, facial expression and other physical cues to communicate with their human compan- ions. Parents can speak with the adoption agency and/or their veterinar- ians about body language specific to certain ani- mals and what each ges- ture may signify. Explain these gestures to children so they can learn when to leave a pet alone or when to engage with it. Let animals adjust Kids may not be the only ones who don't know what to expect when welcoming a new pet into their homes. The pets themselves may be a little nervous. Explain to children that the animal's ini- tial days in the home should be seen as an adjustment period and not necessarily a time to engage in lots of play with the animal. For example, when welcoming a new cat or kitten into a home, the AHS urges par- ents to limit children's interactions to gentle petting when the cat approaches. This initial adjustment period is not the time to pick up the cat or encroach on it physically. This time should be free of sud- den movements and loud noises as the pet adjusts to its new sur- roundings. The day a new pet first comes home is a momentous one for families. Parents can help that transition go smoothly by preparing young children for the newest member of the family. How to prepare children to welcome a new pet H2 BAY AREA NEWS GROUP 001 Homes | Advertising Section