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One hundred years ago, women had limited storage space in their kitchens, much like the women of today. The answer to their problems was the Hoosier cabinet, a freestanding cabinet with space for dishes, glassware and pots and pans. The cabinets also had built-in flour sifters, tin bread drawers, spice jars, sugar containers and porcelain worktables for preparing food. The Hoosier cabinet modernized the American kitchen, offering increased efficiency. A modern-day descendant of those earlier cabinets is the baker's rack or baker's cabinet, a popular addition to many kitchens of today. Baker's racks come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used to store cookbooks, utensils, pots and pans, dishes or anything else you need to have on hand in the kitchen. They are typically made of wood, wrought iron or steel. The hutch style generally has more storage capacity, especially for dishes, with glass-door cabinets or shelves, a serving area and a lower storage cabinet. It's a more traditional look, reminiscent of earlier designs. If you live in an apartment or have a small kitchen, try a narrow, circular baker's rack that includes storage for wine, stemware and spices, or a make the most of your unused space with a corner rack. The wrought iron and steel baker's racks have a French Country style, with scrolled designs, wood or glass shelves and decorative finishes. As the need for more storage space becomes greater, however, many people are finding that baker's racks are not just for the kitchen anymore -- they work perfectly in the bathroom, bedroom and other rooms throughout the house. Add order to the bath with a baker's rack that holds your towels and toiletries. For a colorful display, fill a shelf with rolled bath towels. Create an indoor garden in any room by arranging potted plants on various shelves. Choose brightly colored pots to add color, or use neutrals to blend in with your decor. Use a baker's rack to show off your prized collection of Depression glass, transferware, seashells or whatever it is you treasure. Bring a baker's rack outdoors and organize your gardening tools, extra pots and plant food in the potting shed. Organize your grilling implements and supplies for your outdoor kitchen. Use your imagination. We've come a long way from the days of our counterparts in the early 20th Century. Our kitchens have all the modern conveniences and are designed for maximum efficiency. With all of today's technology, it's interesting to know that we're still looking for more space.
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