Kitchen Cabinets/Storage
Timber flooring Timber features heavily in French-provincial kitchens and is traditionally mid-toned, like the flooring here. Here, wooden details are picked up in the cabinetry trim and cane stools, too. The elegant mouth-blown lights are Sorenson 18 Lanterns, and the splashback tiles are Cararra-marble mosaics.
Under cabinet gadgets The space under your overhead cabinets can be a great place to gain some extra valuable storage. Use some specially designed under cabinet storage racks to store items such as spices close to your cooktop, so you don’t have to rummage in the pantry every time you need a spice. There are also racks that can be used to store wine glasses, wine bottles and even herbs. They not only add an extra element of functionality to your kitchen, but they look great, too. Add some under cabinet lights to really make a statement and brighten your work space.
Powerpoints in the cupboards Gone are the days of storing your toaster and kettle on the kitchen bench. The trend these days is to hide your appliances away in a cupboard. To this end, you need to ensure you plan for electric sockets to be installed inside your cupboards, so your appliances can actually be plugged in. I would suggest installing more than one double socket, as we are using more and more appliances these days. The humble toaster and kettle don’t cut it anymore – we have coffee machines, mix-masters and food processors. So install two double sockets so you can have all your appliances on the go!
Plan for some empty space (yes, really) It’s worth reminding yourself, storage isn’t everything. It might seem tempting to fill every spare centimetre of your kitchen with cupboards and drawers, but that could, ironically, leave your pad feeling more cramped. Instead, build in some breathing space to keep things stylish. In this kitchen, minimal, ceiling-height cupboards maximise every inch of storage – but open shelving with smart lighting and just a smattering of ornaments stops the room feeling closed-in and sterile and keeps it chic.
Go for glass A traditional tall cupboard with glass doors can work wonders in the kitchen, if space allows. The glass gives some of the benefits of open shelves (a sense of space and opportunity to display your favourite crockery), but the cupboard’s height and width means it can also hold a surprising amount of stuff. It will also offer a country-style contrast to a run of identikit units.
Choose wide drawers It’s easy to see why drawers are a popular choice in many kitchens. They’re ergonomic to use and can look more modern. Sticking to drawers and ditching wall cabinets entirely – assuming you can incorporate enough storage this way – can also help a kitchen feel less cramped and more spacious. Deep drawers can be used to house items such as pans and plates, reducing the need for wall cabinets: just make sure you measure up first. Go for slimmer drawers at the top of units for cutlery and utensils, and deeper ones at the bottom for pans and plates. (Search for special kitchen drawer dividers to make life even easier.) Make sure drawers feature good-quality soft-close mechanisms and runners that won’t stick or trap little fingers.
Under-sink drawer Under-sink cupboards are great for storing cleaning utilities, but are not always practical. Instead of foraging for bin liners, plastic bags, washing up liquid and hoards of cleaning products all jammed into a deep, dark space – with the one item you need always hiding away in the back corner – try an under-sink drawer option instead. A set of under-sink drawers are probably the most popular drawers with my clients. They jump for joy when I show them how we can make a U-shaped drawer that fits around the plumbing pipes under their sink, giving them an easy-to-organise and easy-to-assess space to store all their cleaning products. Use the top drawer to store washing up liquid, hand wash and dish cloths so they’re off your bench but within easy reach. And fill the subsequent bottom drawers with less-used items like cleaning products, bin liners and scourers.
Stainless steel Stainless steel is a fantastic choice for a kitchen island bench; after all, there’s a reason why they use it in commercial kitchens – it’s easy to maintain and a really durable surface for your kitchen. It performs great against kitchen nasties like heat from pots, water and steam. Don’t go down the steel route if scratches freak you out, stainless steel will most definitely scratch over time, and there is nothing you can really do to avoid it. PROS: You can buff out minor scratches with a Scotch-Brite, rubbing in the direction of the grain of the steel. But, unless you enjoy spending your time doing that more than using your benchtop for, y’know, kitchen things … there’s not much point. So embrace the scratches as one of the factors that add to the charm of using the material! Stainless steel is pretty much the only material that you can place a pot or pan off the stove straight onto the surface of, without adverse affects to the benchtop. As an added bonus, you can make your kitchen sink out of your stainless steel benchtop, which can be fabricated as one piece, so you won’t even have any joins anywhere in your bench surface. Very cool. Contemporary Kitchen by...
Laminate You may associate this material with the word Laminex or Formica, which are brands of laminate. Laminates are one of the most commonly used benchtop materials around as they are relatively easy to source and easy to work with. This material is, quite simply, layers of compressed paper, which is why it comes in such a great variety of colours and textures. The paper is then pressed together and bound with resin and then applied to a board (such as MDF) to create your benchtop. If you’re wanting to use this as benchtop, think about the size of your island because as a panel product, you are limited to board sizes, which could limit you with what you can do with your design. Anything that extends beyond the size of the board will mean having to deal with a (potentially) nasty join!
Solid timber bench tops Solid timber surfaces allow you to take full advantage of the natural beauty of a once living product. If you’re choosing a timber, be it veneer or solid, ask if the source of the timber is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, which ensures that it comes from a responsibly managed forest, and protects our natural environment. It’s important to remember that the product will need to be finished to protect the natural material. There are a few types of finish products, like timber oils and polyurethane sealers, which vary in gloss level. I always tread with caution when using polyurethane. While it is more durable than oil, it can be really easy to apply, so much that it can turn a beautiful natural material into a shiny blob. If you’re going down the poly path, ask for the finish to be minimal, so you can still see the grain underneath the sealer. PROS: If you do manage to scratch the surface, the top can be sanded and refinished to look as new! This is difficult to do in small pieces, and generally better done as an entire surface. CONS: As timber seasons, the moisture content diminishes. Because of this, sometimes timber can warp and bend once mad...
Tile Bench tops This is an unusual benchtop choice, but a great one. You can create interesting patterns and textures by being clever about the tile formats used, and the way they are laid. Tiles can also give you a ‘seamless’ finish, as there are multiple edges to break up the surface of the top. PROS: If you don’t have a straight substrate (the layer below the tiles), there’s a chance that your tiling can be uneven. This can be a charming attribute, but might prove difficult if you’re trying to cut those cookies on the benchtop! CONS: Although tough against heat and general wear and tear, tiles can be tricky to clean, as the grout between the tiles are a potential spot for getting food stuck. If you’re looking for tiles, go for larger format tiles with glazed surfaces – the less grout you need, the easier they will be to clean. WHO DOES IT WORK FOR? I like the texture that a tiled surface can bring to a kitchen. This option is also quite cost effective and one that avid DIYers can try themselves at home.
Wire your drawers Do you need your technology while you cook, perhaps to look up recipes or cooking hints, make cooking notes, play music or make diary entries? A powered drawer keeps your electronics off the bench and away from cooking mess and moisture.
Simplify under-sink space Under-sink drawers that fit around plumbing fixtures are often an awkward shape. They can quickly turn into sorry chaos, chocka with bits and pieces. Crawlies love the warmth and sometimes moisture of this cavity so don’t cram stuff in. Which items do you actually use in the kitchen? Do you wear more than one pair of rubber gloves at a time? Could some of it go, say, in the laundry? Pare down items like gloves, brushes, cloths and detergent for day-to-day use and top up from a centralised supply as needed.
Soak up spills fast Kitchen paper rolls need to be at the ready for quick action in case of spills and splashes. A clever little alcove in a drawer front puts rolls at your fingertips.
Look at the hole picture What a mouth-watering display – no more delving in the pantry. Do you love to make curries and spicy Asian and Moroccan food? This spice ‘library’ does need space, but saves plenty in the pantry. I like how it is at convenient bench height and how the lids can be popped off when you want a pinch of this or that.
Get on board Another use for a narrow space is a pull-out chopping board and tray drawer. It can be integrated behind a door like the rest of the cabinetry but is a good spot to display decorative boards and trays.
Oh for storage like this with plenty of room for pots and lids to cohabit. Two-tiered shallow drawers in a bench-to-floor cupboard mean no stacking of pots. Does anyone actually cook in these beautiful things?
A dedicated lid drawer with vertical storage slots is a space-savvy way to keep lids neat. TIP: Talk to a kitchen designer about squeezing extra depth into your benchtops – the deeper the bench, the deeper your drawers. An average bench is 50cm deep. By adding just 10cm to the depth of a 2.5m bench run, you gain .25sqm of drawer and cupboard storage.
Reunite saucepans with their lids There are many ingenious cabinetry ideas for keeping pots and pans in close proximity to their lids, like a rear or side divider or a shallow internal drawer above your pots. TIP: Pots and pans are usually standard sizes, and often a saucepan comes with a lid that will fit several other pans. Save space by not storing every lid – just a few that multi-task.
Keep cups at the ready You’ll never regret a cup drawer – it’s so much easier than digging in an overhead cupboard. Make sure it is deep enough for your tallest mugs, about 18 to 20cm, storing them upside-down to protect their rims. Cups have a habit of multiplying, so estimate how many you really need. If you have half a drawerful unused after two or three average usage days without running the dishwasher, donate them or store them elsewhere for emergencies. A side compartment for tea, coffee, spoons and sugar completes a tidy and convenient coffee break station.
Laminates I only use ABS edging when specifying kitchen finishes as it’s a high-pressure laminate banding that is abrasion-resistant and seals the edges of kitchen doors. At only a few hundred dollars extra, this edging is also a relatively inexpensive way to insure the longevity of a laminate kitchen.
Keep your favourite spices handy If you don’t have the space to dedicate a whole drawer to herbs and spices, keep the ones you use most often to hand, and store the others in the cupboard or pantry. If any are in packets, rather than jars, place them in a tightly sealed container to keep them fresh.
Use photos as labels - and not just for kids toys! Try snapping a pic of the contents of a box before storing it in the garage or basement, then use that photo to label the outside. A quick glance at the photo and you’ll instantly know what’s inside.
Be prepared for birthdays and last-minute events with a grab-and-go party prep spot Keep a yearly birthday calendar taped to the inside of the door, a basket filled with easy gifts bought in bulk (and an assortment of cards), as well as a few favourite party drinks, snacks and serving dishes. Extra credit: choose a “signature” gift wrap and ribbon for your house and wrap all of your gifts with it, no matter the occasion. People will begin to expect it, and it will certainly save you the hassle of buying themed gift wrap for every holiday and occasion.
Store medicines in a labelled box in the kitchen The medicine cabinet is actually one of the worst places to store medications. The warm, damp conditions can damage sensitive ingredients, and the bottles and tubes tend to clutter up what should ideally be a spot for getting ready in the morning. Instead, transfer your medicines and first-aid supplies to labelled storage boxes with lids and keep them on a high shelf in the kitchen or pantry. Sort them in a way that makes sense and label accordingly. For example: Kids, First Aid, Cold & Flu.
You could also install a special drawer just for your most used spices. This one has been carefully considered, given it is position right under the stove. Imagine how easily this works in practice when the owner needs a quick sprinkle of oregano or dried chilli.
A handy step stool It’s always great to have a leg up for extra-high upper cupboards, but where on earth should you store the step stool? An ultra thin model can slip right inside a discreet drawer. This homeowner managed to sneak one inside a toe kick. A specialised step stool drawer like this is offered by many cabinetry manufacturers – if you’re designing a new kitchen, don’t forget to ask about this handy feature.
A drawer for food wraps Most kitchen owners are familiar with the irritating, messy drawer of plastic bags, foil and plastic wrap. It seems impossible to keep tidy, and everything always seems to get stuck in the drawer. A food-wrap divider can simply slip inside an existing kitchen drawer. If you’re designing a new space, consider working with your cabinetry designer to get a custom version for one of your drawers.
Cleaning whizz. Upright drawers like these are not only the ideal way to house paper towels, they keep cleaning and washing-up supplies all in the one spot – there’s even a tea towel at the ready. Drawers like these also make the most of that awkward space under the sink.
PAPER TOWELS Handy helper. Oh, for a paper towel holder like this one. It’s out of the way, so isn’t a standout feature guests can see, but is easily accessible without having to open a drawer or cupboard. It’s the simple things in life…
Storing muffin tins, pans and racks upright makes so much more sense than stacking them one on top of the other. It’s not rocket science, but it does make you wonder why every kitchen doesn’t have drawers like these.
Free up space in your pantry by grouping like-minded items and placing them elsewhere in the kitchen. This kitchen has a breakfast station – now why didn’t I think of that?
Toe kicker. If you don’t have room to dedicate a whole cupboard to your wine station, under-cabinet storage like this could be the answer.
PLATTERS Presentation is everything. They come in handy, but the dilemma of what to do with all those platters in between social occasions can baffle even the most organised of people. Stacking them into cupboards is usually the way, but that approach takes up precious room and makes it hard to find just the one you want when you want it. Storing them in a drawer with the help of dividers to keep them upright is such a great idea – I can’t wait to make it happen in my kitchen.
Fruit and vegetables It’s often hard to know what to do with fruit and vegetables which are not stored in the fridge. They can go in the pantry, of course, but can look messy or be hard to contain. This example features a purpose-built unit inside a drawer, which segments the items used. It also incorporates a mesh insert at the front of the drawer to keep air flowing throughout and will maintain the produce stored inside for longer.
Bottles We all know the items used most regularly should be kept in the cooking zone, but who wants numerous bottles cluttering up the benchtop and encroaching on preparation and serving space. The answer is a drawer for oils, vinegars and sauces. Each drawer can be segmented to ensure the bottles do not bump into each other or fall over as the drawer opens and closes. Easy to grab and easy to put away, it’s the perfect solution for any budding MasterChef.
Utensils Drawers don’t always have to utilise a horizontal storage solution. In this example, deep ‘pockets’ have been installed to allow for the upright storage of cooking utensils. This arrangement makes the utensils easy to see and easy to pick up during busy cooking times. Using a number of smaller pockets also allows for similar items to be grouped together, which makes finding the one item you are looking for so much easier.
Trays Any serious baker knows that you need a reasonable amount of trays to ensure you have the right size for the job. Pictured here is a brilliant way of storing trays that not only makes them easy to spot, but stops all that banging and clanking that can happen as a tray is being retrieved. Note, too, that the space remaining above is used for casserole dishes and other baking items to ensure every centimetre is maximised.
Pots and pans Big pots, large saucepans and unwieldy frying pans are a storage nightmare in most kitchens. Simply utilising deep drawers can help, but may not be helpful enough when trying to locate the one you need. Pictured here is a brilliant storage solution: drawers with extra segmentation to keep the pots apart. Note how the segments only extend part of the way into the storage space, cleverly allowing for longer handles to protrude across.
Electrical items can benefit from their own drawer complete with phone and computer chargers
Pull out chopping board with hole for rubbish/compost pull-out working zones that fit over your bin provide concealed bench space as well. Some come with a handy hole so you can scrape food scraps directly into the bin without touching it, while other designs fit bowl inserts or are made purely as chopping boards. Like every feature in your kitchen, these designs are best factored in before you build, although some bin inserts can be retrofitted. Tip: Don’t limit yourself to an insert over just your bin – almost any drawer with enough room can accommodate concealed pull-out bench space.
DIY pot rack Kitchen organisation for less than $10? Count me in. This Houzz user made some simple but effective storage out of an op shop shelf and brackets, and a piece of copper tubing from the hardware store. Simple S-hooks hang utensils right at hand.
Ultimate storage solution for your measuring cups Measuring cups and spoons always seem to be buried at the bottom of a drawer, unattached from one another and drifting in kitchen chaos, right when you need them most. Beckie Farrant came up with this cute and clever idea: paint sticks, hooks, and vinyl lettering keep everything right where she can find it and make converting measurements easy too.
Build in a nook for pets If you have a cat or dog, then chances are they spend quite a lot of time in your kitchen. While you’re hardly going to require ‘storage’ for your pet, building in a bespoke special doggy chill-out zone, as seen here, could well be worth considering if it frees up space elsewhere.
Use the doors The key to kitchen storage is having a designated home for everything, from your cereal to your herbs and spices. This stunning, luxurious walnut pantry features the ultimate spice rack built into the doors: no more rummaging around for cinnamon or chilli powder in dark, sticky corners. It also demonstrates how it isn’t only fridges that can sport racks built into the doors.
Be creative When planning cupboards, drawers and shelves, ask yourself the most crucial question: what will I actually be using them for? For many of us, kitchen storage isn’t just about plates, pans, mugs and cutlery, it’s about those other trickier items, such as the iron, vacuum cleaner and chunky blender. A bespoke cupboard may be the answer. This clever design manages to incorporate all those odds and ends, plus a slender wine rack to boot.
Door-mounted storage Mounting tea towel rails or racks to the inside of doors is a cheap and cheerful storage solution. It’s a great place to store sponges and damp cloths too, because they can dry faster here, and always in easy reach. Tip: If you have a decorative/routed door front, check the thickness of the door and screw length to prevent drilling straight through when attaching the rail.
A simple drawer at the bottom is very versatile for storing items that may not be regularly required. The drawer is positioned in an area that someone is likely to stand in frequently, so always consider the practical aspects. The steel rod running the length of the upper cabinet is a simple and space-efficient way to store tea towels and other bits.
Corner sink
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