If you have marble or granite in your kitchen (and even if you don’t) keeping oil rings from seeping into your counters is definitely an important war to wage when it comes time to cook. But we’re too lazy for all that obsessive wiping and worrying, so we devised this super easy “system” to keep any oil that drips down the bottle well away from our counters once and for all:
Yes, it’s just a simple white square dish placed under our bottles, so even if we don’t thoroughly wipe them before setting them down, they’re sure never to drip on our beloved granite counters again. We like to keep things that we use so often right out on the counter at arm’s reach, so it’s really a nice solution to not only keep oil rings at bay, but also to help three disparate bottles look tied together and polished. Gotta love how one dish-turned-oil-bottle-tray = instant organization.
The best part is that it’s a dish we already had laying around so the cost of this easy upgrade was zero dollars and zero cents. So that’s our intro to a totally new category that we’re calling “Easy Upgrades.” Do you guys like the idea of fast and affordable ideas that you can implement in a snap? We’re all about DIYing something fabulous, but sometimes switching something out or slapping something down is all it takes to add function and beauty to your home. Do you have any of your own easy upgrades up your sleeves? We’d love to hear what types of quick fixes make your home a better place!
Emily says
I like the idea of “easy upgrades!” One of my kitchen “easy upgrades,”…I use an old planter to contain all of my big utensils on the countertop. Its bigger than the kind they sell and more original in my opinion.
Shannon says
I was recently cleaning out my garage and found an old plastic container that I once used for keeping excess grass seed. I cleaned it out and put it under my sink for my dog’s dry food. It’s airtight and keeps food fresher than the packaging the food came in (and it holds up to a 10 lb bag of food!)
Sarah says
ooooo, I love this idea. And I would love any easy upgrades. This idea is great because I have a salt grinder, pepper grinder, and an oil cruet (I am constantly wiping this area up every day) Now I can use your idea and just throw the plate in the dishwasher… yeah!!
Jean says
A cute mousepad (do people use them anymore?) might do nicely for the bottles, so you don’t have the clash of glass on glass when you put them down.
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
Sounds like a great new category! I’m looking forward to all the great ideas in future posts!
susan the shoppe owner says
My favorite olive oil (along with my pepper grinder and salt dish and ring holder) are all on a beautiful pedestal and low pie plate to keep them from slipping off. I’ve had them like this for ages and everybody who’s seen it always oooohs and aaaahhhs. And to think, I had that stuff just sitting around for the longest time! Hurrah for easy upgrades! Looking forward for many more from you two!
P.S. Your garage looks great. I’m sure you’re feeling so satisfied. I wish I had a garage! :O)
miriam says
In a similar vein to the olive oil plate, I keep the lid to an old can of Pringles potato chips upside down under my peppermill. It keeps the pepper flakes off the counter and I can just wash the lid whenever it starts to look dirty.
Juggling Thoughts says
Well, my easy upgrade is still in the thought process phase. But I plan on trying to find a cute tray for my dressers in the master bedroom. We just stained them and I don’t want things like make-up, hairspray, or nail polish to affect the finish. So, I’m thinking a decorative tray that I can put some of those girly items on will not only organize the space, but keep my DIY project from getting ruined way too soon.
Natalie says
What a great idea! Thanks guys :)
ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie says
Simple. Functional. Beautiful.
amy
jenn says
what are the three bottles of? olive oil and?? also, what is the brand of olive oil that originally came in the bottle? i have a sneaky suspicion you two just keep refilling the pretty bottle with other olive oil as it runs low…
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jenn,
You’re totally right about us refilling the pretty bottles that we keep on the counter with regular old store-bought olive oil when they run low. The tall olive oil bottle was leftover from our shoot with The Nest magazine (yes they brought edible props for the kitchen and luckily we got to keep ’em!) from William’s & Sonoma, the little olive oil tin was brought back from Italy by John’s sister, and the medium sized bottle is actually pure rice vinegar (also leftover from The Nest photoshoot from W&S). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
mrslimestone says
Very cute and definitely a great tip for those who don’t have experience with granite.
This is why I love my soapstone. In my last house we had granite and no matter how easy it is to put a oily bottle on a cute little dish, I would manage to put it anywhere else.
Amy @ Renovation Innovation says
I have a bunch of questions for you Youngsters. Did you get your granite top sealed? Did it come sealed or did you have to do an extra step yourselves after installation? Do granite counters still stain after sealing? Sorry for the numerous questions – we have a small piece of granite on our bathroom vanity makeover and I’ve been wondering whether I need to stain the counter to preserve it (although hopefully there shouldn’t be as many opportunities for it to get stained in the bathroom, unlike the kitchen). In the future, we would love to get granite countertops in the kitchen, but am wondering if something with less staining potential would be better (e.g. quartz). I’d love to know your opinion!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amy,
Our granite came from Home Depot so it came with Permashield protection (their patented treatment that seals it for life), so even though we don’t have to regularly seal it, there are still maintenance rules that we have to keep in mind (oil, berry juice, etc can stain if it’s left on the counter for a long period of time). In over a year and a half we haven’t had one stain that we couldn’t get out (thanks Permashield!) so we definitely recommend it. You can read more about our granite selection process waaay back in our archives. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
josie says
on the inside of my cabinet doors i placed pieces of cork tile so i can tack up a recipe card or any random picture that i feel like. i have a cookbook holder, but i have so many recipe cards from my grandmother that this works so much better.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Josie,
So funny you should mention cork inside your cabinets. Check out this old post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2008/11/somebody-put-a-cork-in-us/
xo,
s
Amy @ Renovation Innovation says
Oh, I forgot to add my “easy upgrade”. Well, I haven’t really had the opportunity to develop any design upgrades yet, seeing as we moved in to our new house a few months ago and have been entrenched in a major renovation. I guess the easiest upgrade I’ve had so far is marrying a man who is able to do electrics, plumbing, carpentry and other DIY skills. Score!!
cshteynberg says
We do the same thing, except we have a lazy susan instead as we have a teeny tiny apt. kitchen and no cabinet space + a love of condiments.
The other one that drives me nuts is pepper getting on the counter from the pepper grinder, so we keep ours in a small ramekin like this one from Crate & Barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=550&f=2574
Rachel says
I attacehd a small wooden box to the wall by our front door. No more digging around for sunglasses, keys or wallets. It took all of 5 minutes to drill the holes and attach the brackets.
Audrey says
I’m all about some easy upgrades – keep em coming! And I never thought about oil drips ruining natural stone countertops. Thanks for the reminder!
Cara says
I keep a small heart-shaped dish on my dresser for odds & ends like change or chapstick. Otherwise, a few things here and there would make my dresser look like a disaster zone. The dish was actually part of a Bath & Body Works gift set that I received when I was about 13!
Allison Harris says
My latest Easy Upgrades came from my china cabinet. I had beautiful pieces laying around that were going unused and I had items that needed organizing. Two birds, one stone. I blogged about it here:
http://gimmeakisss.blogspot.com/2009/06/organizing-bathroom.html
http://gimmeakisss.blogspot.com/2009/03/craft-station.html
Dani says
I love to keep my perfume bottles on antique silver trays. They come in all varieties-from simple to ornate. You can find them at most antique stores very reasonably priced.
Gretchen says
I do this same thing! I also have a little white dish underneath the soap and hand lotion by the sink.
Cecelia says
I love your counter tops.
I’ve never been a fan of granite (too cold, glassy, and industrial looking), and have hoped to someday go to marble.
You’ve chosen granite that looks VERY similar to warm and lush carrara.
They’re just beautiful!
Christel says
My husband has a problem of not closing open items properly. So instead of him having to go to the other side of the kitchen open a drawer and pull out a clip I have hung a couple on a little wire inside the door. This way as he is putting the chips back he can grab a clip without missing a beat!
Mia says
I have a dream to create a “coffee nook” in our renovated kitchen, complete with shelves for bagged coffee beans, glass jars of sugar cubes, stacked crisp white mugs, etc. but in the meantime…I snagged a $10 serving tray from Target and put the coffee maker, sugar, jar of beans, the grinder, cereal bowl holding the filters AND a irish coffee cup that holds the spoon (no more post-stirring coffee splashes on the counter). It’s contained AND cute.
JennyMac says
Simple and very clever! Fabulous.
Bekka says
I LOVE this idea! It’s so simple, yet so effective.
One of my pet peeves is having cluttered kitchen counters – but in a small space it’s not easy to have everything tucked away in a cupboard spot. This fix will make those necessary counter-top items look like they belong there, rather than neglected – Love it!
Christy Grubbs says
My favorite upgrade is for a soap dish. Since we all love the liquid soaps now, I turned mine into a jewelry catch-all for my bathroom counter. So when getting ready for bed I can drop my rings and stud earrings for the night.
heather s. says
I have a small shallow silver dish (bought for $1 at Target years ago) on the top of my sink near the faucet that I rest my scrubbing brush head on (I hate the suction cup holders that you put inside your sink). I also have a small white bowl (also $1 from Target) in my bedroom for earrings that I wear often. I’m all about repurposing things in the house for uncommon uses.
Abby Larson says
Love the easy upgrade idea! You guys should have readers send in their easy upgrades to share with others…even have a contest or something for the best upgrade. I for one could use as many ideas as I can get!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that idea Abby! Anyone reading these comments, feel free to submit photos and descriptions of your Easy Updates to us and we’ll showcase a few of our favorites on the blog just like Reader Redesigns! And of course we’ll make this announcement in a post soon for all to see, perhaps when we share our next East Upgrade…
xo,
s
Heather says
At first I didn’t see how this would work for me, I keep my oils up in the cabinet and I don’t have porous counter tops. Then I walked into my kitchen and saw my dish soap that I keep by the sink. It always leaks everywhere! I had an ‘aha’ moment and now I’m applying your tip to my soap by the sink. Thanks so much!
Sarah Temple says
I use a slate cheese board we received as a wedding gift to place my oils on.
Melissa says
This is on the similar side to your dish idea. My husband has a horrible habit of plopping the dish scrubbie up on the back of the sink. I would prefer to leave it in the sink but instead of trying to break his habit I bought a simple white bathroom soap dish. It doesn’t look bathroomish because it is just plain white and it makes it look like the scrubbie has a home instead of just thrown up on the top of the sink.
jbhat says
What a fun new category, and what a great first idea to show us. Your readers have some great ideas too.
I did a similar thing in my bathroom on our open shelving. We have a set of silver-toned trays that we received as wedding gifts back in the day that hold my make-ups and lotions and potions on one tray, and then our combined hair grooming stuffs on the other (brushes, combs, product, etc.). It works for us.
Michelle says
I do the same with my olive oil (and salt dish, and pepper grinder, and tabasco bottle…) I’ve got a cool ceramic tile with a relief of a native american pot on it that I use to corral my condiments. It’s easy to wipe clean (it’s sealed), and provides a bit of fabulousness to my generic rental kitchen.
Elizabeth says
We had asked to keep the piece of granite that was leftover from the sink cutout after they installed the countertops. We had them cut it up (for free!) into several useful kitchen items: a ‘dish’ for oils, etc. so they didn’t ruin the counter, a trivet for hot food at the table and a large slab that can be kept chilled for when I make candy or pastry.
Natalie says
My “easy update” is along the same lines as yours! I use a crystal plate from my great-grandparents’ general store as a resting place for my salt shaker and pepper grinder. I was tired of finding pieces of peppercorns on the counter or stove, and I think of my family ever time I see the pretty plate on my counter.
A says
No Fab Freebie today? :(
YoungHouseLove says
Hey A – wanted to make sure we gave our site time to migrate for everyone before we opened up he giveaway this week. But it’s coming your way tomorrow!
kelly says
perfect! i just moved my pottery barn “great white asparagus tray” which usually holds fruit that won’t fit in my fruit basket to the stove where i keep the sea salt/pepper grinders, bowl of kosher salt and bottle of olive oil (in an opaque container, since light spoils it). it looks way nicer than the paper towel that was under the stuff before! and i thought that the paper towel was clever of me when i thought to put it there! thanks for the upgrade.
Kim says
I’ve always had my oil and salt and pepper grinders sitting on top of a decorative trivet, I hate the peppers on the counter! Great tip!
Rachael says
All our flip flops were completely taking over the space right outside our front door – something had to be done. I put a medium-sized wire mesh wastebasket right next to the door that matched our decor, and now all our flip-flops have found a home right inside what we affectionately call the “Flop Bucket”!
Megan says
I can’t believe how cool that video is. I want to make one. I think I might do my whole day so when my husband comes home and say’s “What have you been doing all day” I could show him exactly what I do. Numerous loads of washing and folding, dishes, cooking, play with the baby, feed the baby etc.
Love this post enough to clean out something of my own, i’m thinking the linen cupboard.
Susan and Tony P. says
Oh No! That comment above about the lazy Susan!!! I like to call them lazy Tony! lol
heather says
Love that idea, especially since we were looking at granite today at Home Depot for our new kitchen.
I use a blue bottle that came from a restaurant years ago for my dish soap. Just popped a pourer intended for a liquor bottle in and it looks so much better than a plastic dish soap bottle.
Also use a strainer for my son’s bath toys..
jina says
I use a white ceramic pot to keep my sponges, dish soap and other “sink-y” things in one place. Plus the hole in the bottom of the pot lets any excess water out. It’s useful and better than clutter around my kitchen sink.
Heather says
No easy upgrades to add right now but i’m excited to hear more of them. It’s funny how something so simple as keeping oils clean and handy on a nice plate could give me an ahh, that’s a great idea moment. thanks for sharing!
Kirsten says
Just like most people here, I hate finding pepper grinds on my counter. I’ve been using a stainless guest towel holder (from the bath section) as a tray for the oil, salt and pepper next to the stove. I love how it keeps everything contained and looks deliberate rather than looking like I can’t put anything away.
Looking forward to more Easy Upgrades!
jacqueline says
I keep my steel wool pad at the sink in a cute soy sauce dish that came with our sushi set (we rarely make sushi at home since we live by so many great take-out places). Also – definitely already doing the dish trick without salt and pepper grinders. :-)
Annie, bossy color says
LOVE IT!! So smart! We’re on the same wavelength this week – I posted on “3 Cheap Ways to Perk Up a Tired Kitchen.” http://tinyurl.com/njo9nn This is a great fourth – I’ll add a link!
Tricia - Avolli says
This is a wonderful idea that looks great too! For those who may not have a cool white dish like this already, Target makes a great line of white dishes and serving pieces in square and round that are extremely well priced. Everything looks great on them!
Tricia – Avolli