I n my 10 years as a professional chef and food writer, I have found many tricks to make the kitchen more efficient. Many of these ideas require customized work, but all can be carried out inexpensively. Here are my favorites...

ADD AN ISLAND

When outfitted with a wood top and shelves, an island provides lots of space. It is a chopping board, prep area and storage unit all in one. Make the island as large as can fit comfortably in your kitchen.

Ideal: Three feet high by three feet deep... width of five to nine feet, with a 24-inch-deep base cabinet allowing a 10- to 12-inch overhang for stools.

The island can be either permanently affixed to the floor or a portable unit on wheels.

Take advantage of narrow indentations on the sides of the island where the top overhangs the base by a few inches. Thin shelves can store small objects, such as jars of spices.

ADD PULLOUTS

Replace a narrow top drawer with a butcher-block cutting board. Add a handle and it can double as a towel rack.

Adding pullout drawers to wide, flat shelving makes it easier to store serving platters and bakeware.

Pullouts are generally custom-made. It depends on your kitchen.

INSTALL A KNIFE RACK

If you have at least two feet of clear space above a countertop, store knives in a slotted wall rack. You will be able to see every knife... get rid of the wood knife block... and have your countertop back. Note: Knives should be stored point down.

Install Plexiglas across the front of the rack so you don’t injure yourself while selecting a knife. The Plexiglas should be a few inches shorter than the rack to allow you to slide the blades in and out.

You could have this rack custom-made... or you could buy a standard wall rack and install the Plexiglas yourself.

A cheaper approach -- though not as safe -- is an industrial-strength, magnetic strip to hold knives. These are available at restaurant kitchenware stores for $10 and up. Useful resource: www.foodservicedirect.com.

If you prefer to store knives in a drawer, use a slotted wooden knife tray. This will keep blades from rubbing together, prolonging their life.

INSTALL A POT RACK

A wall-mounted metal rack or a ring rack hung from the ceiling makes pots easy to reach.

My favorite racks: Pot Racks On-Line, www.pot-racks-online.com $59 and up.

Important: Store pots and pans away from your cooking range. Grease inevitably spreads over anything that is immediately above or adjacent to the range.

BONUS STORAGE IDEAS

Here are ways to add storage to currently unusable space...

Corner cabinet makes use of an otherwise-wasted corner.

Pullout pantry in the narrow space between the refrigerator and counter or cabinets.

Narrow (three to four inches deep), door-mounted adjustable shelving. Sold at Home Depot, Ikea and similar stores.

Counter shelf. If wall cabinets are installed high above the counter, insert a narrow (six to eight inches deep) shelf 12 inches above the countertop.

Flip-up door cabinetry in the open areas above wall cabinets is great for storing those seldom-used items.