10 Smart Ways to Finish a Kitchen Cabinet Run
Fill the end of a row of cabinets with functionality by adding a message centre, wine rack or other handy feature
When a row, or run, of cabinets doesn’t end at a wall, the last cabinet becomes an opportunity to add extra function, storage and style to your kitchen. Here are 10 ideas for putting that space to work.
2. Message centre
You-Neek Designs turned the last cabinet in a tall wall of cabinetry into a charging-and-message centre in this galley kitchen. The side facing the kitchen is seamlessly disguised as a pantry door, complete with a cabinet pull.
Design tip: Adding hooks for keys and a message board to an existing side of a cabinet serves a similar purpose.
Find a reviewed kitchen designer on Houzz today.
You-Neek Designs turned the last cabinet in a tall wall of cabinetry into a charging-and-message centre in this galley kitchen. The side facing the kitchen is seamlessly disguised as a pantry door, complete with a cabinet pull.
Design tip: Adding hooks for keys and a message board to an existing side of a cabinet serves a similar purpose.
Find a reviewed kitchen designer on Houzz today.
3. Pet bowls
In this coastal home by Chairma Design Group, a dog bowl station adds function to the bottom quarter of a base unit and keeps the bowls neatly out of the way. It’s lined in stone, which protects the cabinetry from drips. This sweet pooch looks pleased with the set-up.
In this coastal home by Chairma Design Group, a dog bowl station adds function to the bottom quarter of a base unit and keeps the bowls neatly out of the way. It’s lined in stone, which protects the cabinetry from drips. This sweet pooch looks pleased with the set-up.
4. Child’s sink
This kitchen by Danielle DiVittorio Malloy of DiVittorio Designs and Janet Marena of JTM Interiors has a dropped-down kitchen sink turned 90 degrees from the adjoining cabinet. Complete with a built-in pullout step, the customised design gives kids an easy place to help with dinner prep and wash hands.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
This kitchen by Danielle DiVittorio Malloy of DiVittorio Designs and Janet Marena of JTM Interiors has a dropped-down kitchen sink turned 90 degrees from the adjoining cabinet. Complete with a built-in pullout step, the customised design gives kids an easy place to help with dinner prep and wash hands.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
5. Shoe storage
Just out of shot to the left in this photo, an exterior door opens directly into the kitchen, meaning shoes are always the first (and messiest) things to arrive. To control the inevitable pile-up, kitchen and bathroom design studio Revival House built dedicated shoe storage into the end of the cabinet run.
Just out of shot to the left in this photo, an exterior door opens directly into the kitchen, meaning shoes are always the first (and messiest) things to arrive. To control the inevitable pile-up, kitchen and bathroom design studio Revival House built dedicated shoe storage into the end of the cabinet run.
6. Drinks fridge
In this kitchen, AAHA Studio tucked what looks like a wine fridge at the end of a cabinet run – though it could just as easily be a mini fridge stocked with soft drinks.
In any open-plan kitchen, this smart placement makes it easy for kids and guests in the nearby dining or living room to grab a drink. Here, it also maximises storage by making use of a cabinet that would otherwise be awkward to access due to the small peninsula.
More: 8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Kitchen
In this kitchen, AAHA Studio tucked what looks like a wine fridge at the end of a cabinet run – though it could just as easily be a mini fridge stocked with soft drinks.
In any open-plan kitchen, this smart placement makes it easy for kids and guests in the nearby dining or living room to grab a drink. Here, it also maximises storage by making use of a cabinet that would otherwise be awkward to access due to the small peninsula.
More: 8 Ways to Add Character to a New-build Kitchen
7. Flip-down worktop
A hinged section of worktop extends prep space as needed in this cottage kitchen by Chisholm Design, then folds out of the way so the back door can swing open. Notice the pop-out cover for the sink, too.
A hinged section of worktop extends prep space as needed in this cottage kitchen by Chisholm Design, then folds out of the way so the back door can swing open. Notice the pop-out cover for the sink, too.
8. Utility cupboard
Drury Design finished off this run of tall cabinets with a slim utility cupboard that houses a stepstool, tall vases and a stick vacuum cleaner. There’s even an electrical outlet to make charging a breeze.
Drury Design finished off this run of tall cabinets with a slim utility cupboard that houses a stepstool, tall vases and a stick vacuum cleaner. There’s even an electrical outlet to make charging a breeze.
9. Bookshelf
Hello Home created a library of cookbooks in this kitchen by adding a slim cupboard with open shelving at the end of a run of tall cabinets. The shelves match the island’s natural wood tone, helping to tie together the colour scheme.
Design tip: You can add open shelves to the side of just your wall or base unit, too. Just make sure they’re securely mounted.
Hello Home created a library of cookbooks in this kitchen by adding a slim cupboard with open shelving at the end of a run of tall cabinets. The shelves match the island’s natural wood tone, helping to tie together the colour scheme.
Design tip: You can add open shelves to the side of just your wall or base unit, too. Just make sure they’re securely mounted.
10. Wine rack
The back of a cupboard can be difficult to see and access –especially when mechanical elements from a worktop share the space, as in this kitchenette by The Main Co. Here, the awkward area has been cleverly repurposed as a side-accessed wine rack.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The back of a cupboard can be difficult to see and access –especially when mechanical elements from a worktop share the space, as in this kitchenette by The Main Co. Here, the awkward area has been cleverly repurposed as a side-accessed wine rack.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas caught your eye? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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A simple way to upgrade the often-wasted blank side of an end cabinet is to attach a pretty pot rail to the cabinet, as designer Jada Gilbert of Design Shop Interiors did in this kitchen.
Hooks can hold tea towels, baskets, utensils and pots, or hand towels can be draped over the bar. Baskets, hooks and bottle racks are equally easy to attach to add a bit of extra storage.
Design tip: Ensure the bar and hanging items don’t protrude into a path of travel.