In a small kitchen there's nowhere to go but up when you're looking for creative storage options. Counter space is at a premium, so stacking is the way to go.
But this creates a usability problem for those of us who are vertically challenged - I'm five foot nothing, and it's a constant struggle to haul things down from high cupboards. Even for those taller than myself, this can be a problem when shelves are stacked up to the ceiling.
Yay for short people! I'm five foot nothing too and always pulling the kitchen chairs up to the cupboards to get at anything above the 2nd shelf. Perhaps there's room under the sink for a folding step?
On the other hand, the kitchen in my last apartment was the perfect short person kitchen. It dated back to the 1940s and had 32" counters and cabinets so low I could even reach the front of the highest shelf. I loved it, even if it meant I had to do all the dishes.
Hooray, I'm also a shortie with cabinets built for the vertically gifted. I can barely reach the first shelf of my cabinets, let alone the second or the top! My current two-step ladder takes up FAR too much space in my tiny kitchen, so I'll be buying this step stool over the weekend for sure, great post!
On a related note, can someone recommend a good 2-step ladder? I have this vision of using it as a terraced shelf in my hall closet. I envision placing baskets on the 2 steps to hold mail/ gloves/ keys/ etc.
Hear, hear! I too am precisely five feet tall, and a stepstool is a requirement for me in any kitchen. Unfortunately, the cabinet arrangement usually requires me to go up to the second step on a stool for it to be of any use.
NJ_Gal, I got my stepstool at the local hardware store; a search on HomeDepot.com turned up this one which looks very similar to mine. Folds up nice and skinny, and slides into that 2" gap between the refrigerator and counter beautifully - not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works for now.
Oops, that didn't go through - this one.
(And if HTML links aren't permitted, a search on homedepot.com for "gorilla ladders stool" brings up the correct one.)
I use this exact stool in my kitchen! There is a perfect weird gap next to my lower cupboard for it. HOWEVER I got mine (in white) at Ikea, and it was probably $2. If I'm lying, it may have been 5 bucks but I just know it was dirt cheap. 17.99 isn't a ton either, but if you can get to Ikea, this one is as strong as an little stool I've stepped on.