How to Maximize Your Kitchen Storage
Got storage?
Most of us would probably answer, “Not enough!” Kitchens are the first place in the home to become cluttered. Food is being prepared, people are coming in and out, and there’s not enough space to begin with. When remodeling your kitchen, keep these tips in mind to make sure you get all the storage you need! Even if you’re not ready for a Home Addition or large-scale Kitchen Remodel, most of these changes can be implemented without a full remodel!
Full-Height Cabinetry - Luxury Kitchen Remodel
Most kitchens are built with 30-42” cabinets. That space between the top of your cabinet and your ceiling will go completely unused – unless you take advantage of it. Our Design Team will can walk through storage options for this space. You can always house items on top of your cabinets, but that can quickly look cluttered. A budget-conscious option is to add a row of shorter cabinets on top. These could be solid or glass inset with interior lighting to show off decor or keepsakes. Another option would be replacing existing upper cabinets with semi-custom cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling.
Drawer Built-Ins & Cabinet Built-Ins
There are many built-in cabinet and drawer inserts that boost your storage. Insetys and built-ins can help you organize your cabinets in a way that fits more and keeps clutter off the counter. Some of these must be installed during a remodel, but many can be added to existing cabinets.
- Docking Drawers - House an outlet inside a drawer safely, allowing you to keep all your electronics in one place and out of sight.
- Built-In Utility/Cutlery Trays - Fill the drawer perfectly so that there’s no wasted space around the edge of the tray.
- Built-In Spice Racks and Drawers - Instead of using up counter space for your spices, or an entire cabinet compartment, keep your spices arranged in a place you couldn’t use for something else anyway.
- Built-In Paper Towel Drawer - Keep your paper towels off the counter and easily accessible with a built-in space drawer (PS - there will even be storage space left over in the drawer)
- Pull Out Trash Can/Recycling Drawer - Don’t let your trash cans take up floor space; keep them out of the way!
- Pull Out Shelves - So you can stack & reach everything in your cabinet with ease!
- Cabinet Dividers - Organize baking sheets and cutting boards.
Kitchen Island
If you really need to up your storage game, and you don’t already have one, consider adding a kitchen island! You’ll not only get more storage space – you’ll also get more countertop space! The project above originally did not have an island and was severely lacking storage. Our Design team found a way to add this cozy and functional island in a smaller kitchen footprint and our clients love their additional storage!
Storage Wall
This one’s for the people who buy in bulk. If you store all the goods from your Costco trip on the floor, an extra wall of built-in cabinets might just save your life. The trick is finding a good place for built-ins. Any open wall with enough space for a minimum of 18-24” depth and at least 16-18” wide to fit the smallest ready-made full-height cabinet! Custom built-ins add even more extra storage! Either way, adding full-height cabinetry is sure to fix the problem.
Wet Bar
This one’s a great excuse. You need more storage space, might as well make it a wet bar for double functionality! It works great in a kitchen nook, living room, or dining room, and makes a great hosting tool.
Bench Seat
Do you have a window with an empty space below? Adding a bench seat can give you a cute and comfy storage space! A custom seat with a lift top for added storage on the interior is a great addition to a mud room or entryway to allow the family a hideaway for shoes, bags, and more.
Maximized Pantry Space
We saved the best for last and that’s the pantry! It’s important to set your pantry up in a way that works for you. This client wanted a large pantry – so large that we built it into an attached room. We concealed this walk-in butler’s pantry with cabinet doors so it looks like just another cabinet! Inside, the shelves are spaced for maximum storage and every shelf can be reached with the rolling library ladder (swoon!). The countertops below offer a great space for large appliances, and the base cabinets provide even more storage.
This pantry speaks to our team’s creativity. Thinking outside the box (and the existing footprint) enabled us to create a hidden pantry that houses incredible storage features and wows guests every time.
When you work with a Custom Builder like Ferguson Builders, no project is the same! We enjoy finding storage solutions that fit your home and lifestyle specifically. Ready to maximize your pantry, kitchen, or any other space in your home? Call our office today.