10 Ways to Get the Most From Your Kitchen Storage
Longing for a kitchen where everything from spices to champagne has a place? Here’s how to create a calm, functioning culinary hub
The kitchen is at the heart of most homes, and we’re increasingly trying to cram more into our busiest room without necessarily having more space. Luckily, there is a solution – plenty of storage. Not just any old storage, though. The key to a relaxed, functioning kitchen is about more than having a place to put things – it’s also important to have the right places in which to house everything you need, and in suitable areas. Get it right, and say hello to easier cleaning and clutter-free worktops.
Tuck drawers into cupboards
The beauty of drawers is they can be hidden practically anywhere – popping out of islands or from below sinks. This cupboard has a slim drawer set beneath the shelves that’s hidden when the door is shut, preventing the clean lines of the kitchen becoming fragmented. Part of the glasses cupboard, the shallow pull-out is ideal for storing cocktail sticks, drink mixers, a citrus squeezer and a zester for the perfect cosmopolitan.
The beauty of drawers is they can be hidden practically anywhere – popping out of islands or from below sinks. This cupboard has a slim drawer set beneath the shelves that’s hidden when the door is shut, preventing the clean lines of the kitchen becoming fragmented. Part of the glasses cupboard, the shallow pull-out is ideal for storing cocktail sticks, drink mixers, a citrus squeezer and a zester for the perfect cosmopolitan.
Look for corner solutions
Corners are one of the trickiest areas to design in a kitchen, but there are lots of ways to maximise the space they hide. Corner drawers neatly avoid having to get down on your hands and knees to scrabble around at the back of a cupboard. Simply pull out and see their entire contents at a glance.
Corners are one of the trickiest areas to design in a kitchen, but there are lots of ways to maximise the space they hide. Corner drawers neatly avoid having to get down on your hands and knees to scrabble around at the back of a cupboard. Simply pull out and see their entire contents at a glance.
Mix shelf heights and styles
A walk-in larder works best with a variety of storage solutions, from slim shelves to tall spaces for large bowls and tins. Wine racks are useful, as are narrow slots for baking trays and cake boards. Pull-out wicker baskets allow air to circulate around fruit and vegetables to keep them fresh.
Find out more on how to create a modern and stylish pantry
A walk-in larder works best with a variety of storage solutions, from slim shelves to tall spaces for large bowls and tins. Wine racks are useful, as are narrow slots for baking trays and cake boards. Pull-out wicker baskets allow air to circulate around fruit and vegetables to keep them fresh.
Find out more on how to create a modern and stylish pantry
Choose pocket doors in tight corners
Creating cupboards in the corners of rooms can prove tricky, because of the opening and closing of doors. Enter the pocket door, which looks like a standard door when closed, but once open, slides smoothly into a recess at the side of the cabinet. Because there’s no need to allow space for the doors to fold back, units with pockets are perfect at the end of a run of units or for sitting snugly on a worktop.
Creating cupboards in the corners of rooms can prove tricky, because of the opening and closing of doors. Enter the pocket door, which looks like a standard door when closed, but once open, slides smoothly into a recess at the side of the cabinet. Because there’s no need to allow space for the doors to fold back, units with pockets are perfect at the end of a run of units or for sitting snugly on a worktop.
Use the backs of cupboard doors
Racks on the inside of cupboard doors turn wasted space into handy storage for slim ingredients, from spices to sauces. Most cupboard doors can be adapted, but do keep your herbs and spices away from the oven and hob, as the heat will make them lose their potency more quickly.
Racks on the inside of cupboard doors turn wasted space into handy storage for slim ingredients, from spices to sauces. Most cupboard doors can be adapted, but do keep your herbs and spices away from the oven and hob, as the heat will make them lose their potency more quickly.
Install kickplate drawers
In a small kitchen, every inch has to work hard. A plinth or kickplate drawer makes the most of space underneath your base units and is great for storing things you don’t use often, such as large platters, baking trays, or even, as here, a small stepladder for accessing higher units.
In a small kitchen, every inch has to work hard. A plinth or kickplate drawer makes the most of space underneath your base units and is great for storing things you don’t use often, such as large platters, baking trays, or even, as here, a small stepladder for accessing higher units.
Make use of wall space
Wall-mounted rails, whether behind a hob, along a splashback or installed in a niche, are a great way to keep pans and cooking utensils accessible yet tidy. It’s a cost-effective solution, too, only requiring a few butcher’s hooks, and it conjures up a lovely batterie de cuisine feel.
Wall-mounted rails, whether behind a hob, along a splashback or installed in a niche, are a great way to keep pans and cooking utensils accessible yet tidy. It’s a cost-effective solution, too, only requiring a few butcher’s hooks, and it conjures up a lovely batterie de cuisine feel.
Sneak storage into small spaces
Most kitchens aren’t a standard size, so it’s common to finish a run of units with a little space left over or find yourself with a gap above an integrated fridge-freezer. Instead of just covering it with a panel, put it to good use. A wine rack is a clever way of filling even the smallest of gaps while creating a useful and attractive feature – plus it’s a great excuse to buy more wine!
Check out more ways to maximise space in small rooms
Most kitchens aren’t a standard size, so it’s common to finish a run of units with a little space left over or find yourself with a gap above an integrated fridge-freezer. Instead of just covering it with a panel, put it to good use. A wine rack is a clever way of filling even the smallest of gaps while creating a useful and attractive feature – plus it’s a great excuse to buy more wine!
Check out more ways to maximise space in small rooms
Layer drawers within drawers
A drawer within a larger drawer creates a double hit of storage while avoiding too many lines within a sleek run of cabinetry. Secret drawers are also practical, enabling you to store all shapes and sizes of utensils and gadgets, especially if they all have their own dedicated space. Lift-out inserts make taking cutlery to the table a doddle, too.
How do you make the most of your kitchen space? Share your tips in the comments.
A drawer within a larger drawer creates a double hit of storage while avoiding too many lines within a sleek run of cabinetry. Secret drawers are also practical, enabling you to store all shapes and sizes of utensils and gadgets, especially if they all have their own dedicated space. Lift-out inserts make taking cutlery to the table a doddle, too.
How do you make the most of your kitchen space? Share your tips in the comments.
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There’s no reason why you can’t mix traditional and modern storage for an eclectic feel. An antique sideboard shows off items you want to display, while sleek drawers with discreet fingerpulls conceal crockery and pans – an efficient way to store them relative to the space the drawers take up. And why not add a slim wine cooler to keep your vino chilled for summer days – the perfect bridge between old and new?