How to Plan Your Kitchen Storage for Maximum Efficiency
Three architects lay out guidelines for useful and efficient storage that can still leave your kitchen feeling open
Houzz Editorial Staff
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Even if you know exactly what you want your new kitchen to look like, planning cabinetry is quite a feat. How much storage do you need? How much cabinetry can you install without making your new kitchen feel even smaller than the original? What needs to be stored there? Whether you're planning a remodel or just need to reorganize, you can eliminate some of the guesswork with these tips from Houzz architects.
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Determine Your Kitchen's Functions
Take advantage of every inch by working as much detail as possible into your kitchen plan from the beginning. "You may find an extra 6 to 9 inches that would be great for cookie sheets, bottles of wine or a few books," says architect Amy Alper of Sonoma, California.
Deciding a cabinet's function depends on its proximity to other appliances and its size — once you've decided where major plumbing fixtures and appliances will go and know exactly how much space you have, you can determine which cabinet should hold dishes and which should hold wine.
"Everyone uses their kitchen differently. We have the owners imagine themselves standing at each major area of the kitchen, and determine what they need within arm's reach," says Portland, Oregon, architect Hiromi Ogawa.
Take advantage of every inch by working as much detail as possible into your kitchen plan from the beginning. "You may find an extra 6 to 9 inches that would be great for cookie sheets, bottles of wine or a few books," says architect Amy Alper of Sonoma, California.
Deciding a cabinet's function depends on its proximity to other appliances and its size — once you've decided where major plumbing fixtures and appliances will go and know exactly how much space you have, you can determine which cabinet should hold dishes and which should hold wine.
"Everyone uses their kitchen differently. We have the owners imagine themselves standing at each major area of the kitchen, and determine what they need within arm's reach," says Portland, Oregon, architect Hiromi Ogawa.
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by Justrich Design
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| Silverware drawers make for easy cleanup when they're near the sink and dishwasher. Spices set in a drawer close to the cooktop can make cooking easier. Keep everyday items near the sink or prep area, where you'll be using them the most. Items used less frequently can be placed farther from the main work triangle. |
Use handy cabinet organizers and inserts to make the purpose of each drawer and cabinet clear. Trash pullouts, sponge trays and silverware organizers can be very helpful. At the same time, keep in mind that you can mix and match items in cabinets and drawers too — there's no strict rule on dividing things up. "A drawer for pots and pans near a cooktop can also be a great place for cooking oil, salt and vinegar," says Alper.
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Cabinet or Drawer?
Although cabinets often cost less than drawers, these architects all agree that deep and wide drawers tend to be more useful. They allow you to use the entire depth of a space and are easier to use. "As a rule of thumb, we always find drawers more comfortable to use than lower shelving behind doors," says architect Heather McKinney in Austin, Texas.
For Ogawa, deciding whether to use a cabinet or drawer in undercounter kitchen storage is often determined by the available width. If space allows, use a wide and deep drawer. But in smaller spaces, a cabinet can work better. Don't forget to use narrow banks of drawers too — they can be great for nice silverware and table linens.
Although cabinets often cost less than drawers, these architects all agree that deep and wide drawers tend to be more useful. They allow you to use the entire depth of a space and are easier to use. "As a rule of thumb, we always find drawers more comfortable to use than lower shelving behind doors," says architect Heather McKinney in Austin, Texas.
For Ogawa, deciding whether to use a cabinet or drawer in undercounter kitchen storage is often determined by the available width. If space allows, use a wide and deep drawer. But in smaller spaces, a cabinet can work better. Don't forget to use narrow banks of drawers too — they can be great for nice silverware and table linens.
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Maximizing Storage and Space
While eliminating storage — particularly upper cabinets — tends to be the best way to visually open a kitchen, it's still possible to get the storage you need and the open feel you want. In general, maximizing storage can often make a kitchen feel more open because there will be less countertop clutter. Both Ogawa and McKinney suggest devoting one wall entirely to full-height storage, opening up space for a counter and getting rid of the need for upper cabinetry throughout.
While eliminating storage — particularly upper cabinets — tends to be the best way to visually open a kitchen, it's still possible to get the storage you need and the open feel you want. In general, maximizing storage can often make a kitchen feel more open because there will be less countertop clutter. Both Ogawa and McKinney suggest devoting one wall entirely to full-height storage, opening up space for a counter and getting rid of the need for upper cabinetry throughout.
| Playing with drawer and counter heights can add more storage space too. Make use of the leftover space beside deep refrigerators by deepening upper cabinets and counters, and taking cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Keep your countertop, island and cabinetry lined up and simple in design. "Linear alignments will make the room feel longer, as there are fewer visual interruptions to catch the eye," says Ogawa. |
Ideabook published on Dec. 5, 2012.
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Have your favorite spices close at hand with your silverware and steak knives all in one drawer.
Cottage Kitchen – Personal Touches
A dishware drawer makes putting away you dishes quick and easy. A great way to teach children to do the dishes easy access for people with bad backs or in a wheel chair.
Lofty Kitchen Concept - Sublime Storage
A tall, pull out pantry lets you see each entire shelf from both sides and as deep as the cabinet goes without have to dig around. This holds a lot more and makes everything easy to find.
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 1
Appliance Cabinet with Lift-up Countertop shelf – this saves counter space but makes it easy to use that heavy mixer more often.
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 2
Have your utensil drawer doubled up with your knife collection in a two-tiered cutlery drawer. Open to your utensil divider and slide forward to access your knifes.
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 3
When I was planning my pot drawers I was worried that I will have things still sitting on top of each other, and will have to lift, move, put back, bend (bad back) to access bottom drawer and so on..So, after lengthy planning I designed this ‘prototype’ from scrap wood for my pots and pans - but it stayed in use as it is – and it works perfectly! I will move in about a year but my new kitchen will have the same thing build – only from new wood!
You can add this opening feature to any cabinet including lower cabinets. I think it helps best on the uppers. I'm 5' tall and I have this in my office and it works like a charm! My arms don’t bump into the cabinet doors when I’m trying to reach up and I don’t have to stretch to reach the handle to pull down the door so I get the full benefit of using a bi-fold.
It’s also great on trash bin cabinets when you’re hands are full and you don’t want to dirty up the door. All you need is a free knee or foot to open and close the cabinet.
Here are a few videos that may help explain what a Servo Drive system is better.
Cedar on walls in living room that I will be converting to the dining room. Trying to decide what color cabinets and counter tops to use to go with all the cedar/wood ceilings.
I am experimenting with many of the features. This will be our final home so I am thinking not only about now but down the road when we're 100 or so. We love to entertain so I am putting two dishwashers in. I am also using those lower dish storage drawers. I have a peg board -- sort of like the pot & pan storage above complliments of Ljiljana Pejic with peg board for things that are piled on top of one another in a big, deep drawer now. Like big wisks and big graters, etc. Now I am thinking about the idea for pots & pans as well. I really like it.
I have the shelf for my kitchen aide in the island.
This is fun and the more time I put into it the better it gets. Love technology that allows us all to share.
Your kitchen plans sound fabulous! Planning your storage accessories into your kitchen plan from the get go will help you maximize your kitchen’s functionality. It sounds like you’ve really considered a lot of great options to make a kitchen you can use and entertain in for many years.
Having a drawer designed for your dishware is not only a great for organization of your dishware collection, but it allows easier access. I usually suggest this storage solution to people with bad backs or who need a wheel chair accessible kitchen. It’s also great for teaching young children to help out with dishes after a large meal, they don’t need a step stool or to reach up over their heads with heavy glass plates to put the dishes away. This is a perfect storage solution for planning a kitchen you can really grow old in and entertain in for years to come.
Lofty Kitchen Concept - Sublime Storage
Make sure to include easy to reach pan storage like the pull out above that you mention is also very important. Your pots and pans are some of the largest items in your kitchen. Having proper storage for your entire collection can make a huge difference to the available space in your kitchen. I personally like and option that includes lid storage.
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 1
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 2
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 3
The Appliance Lift-Shelf is an amazing solution for those of us who use that Kitchenaid mixer all the time. I love it! The shelf helps assist the lifting of the appliance up to countertop level and locks in place giving you an instant workspace. This helps save counter space and saves your back on lifting your favorite appliance in and out of the cabinet every time you go to use it.
Urban Loft - Storage Solutions 4
I’d also make sure to consider your spice storage and accessibility if you cook a lot and pantry accessories that fit your needs.