15 Cleverly Hidden Kitchen Storage Units
They may look like standard cabinets and benchtops, but these stealthy storage spots have everyone fooled
Does your kitchen suffer from a chronic shortage of storage? You’re not alone. If you’re not too thrilled by the thought of culling your impressive collection of kitchenware, it’s time to think of ways you can increase the storage capacity of your cooking zone without having a hardcore decluttering session, or compromising the look and functionality of your existing space.
What’s the key to overcoming this common problem? Smart organisation systems that make use of under-utilised areas and can be integrated into your current kitchen set-up with ease. Below we take you through 15 clever solutions that are hidden behind cabinet doors and other standard kitchen surfaces. These secret stowage spots will not only improve the storage potential of your culinary zone, but will make it appear more streamlined and stylish, too – really, they’ll change your life. Are you ready for the big reveal?
What’s the key to overcoming this common problem? Smart organisation systems that make use of under-utilised areas and can be integrated into your current kitchen set-up with ease. Below we take you through 15 clever solutions that are hidden behind cabinet doors and other standard kitchen surfaces. These secret stowage spots will not only improve the storage potential of your culinary zone, but will make it appear more streamlined and stylish, too – really, they’ll change your life. Are you ready for the big reveal?
2. Under-bench storage
If you have a casual dining nook with bench seating in your kitchen area, maximise the space by adding drawers below the seats. They’ll provide a handy spot to store items that you need every once in a while but not on a day-to-day basis such as good dinner sets and servers.
If you have a casual dining nook with bench seating in your kitchen area, maximise the space by adding drawers below the seats. They’ll provide a handy spot to store items that you need every once in a while but not on a day-to-day basis such as good dinner sets and servers.
3. Upright pullout pantry
While cupboards are standard in most kitchens, sometimes they aren’t the most efficient or space-savvy storage options, particularly when the wall unit is narrow and sits far away from the wall. In these cases, a pullout system is a much better solution. The vertical design utilises every last centimetre of available space, and allows you to find and retrieve pantry items quickly and with ease. Genius.
Here’s how you can bring the pantry into your kitchen
While cupboards are standard in most kitchens, sometimes they aren’t the most efficient or space-savvy storage options, particularly when the wall unit is narrow and sits far away from the wall. In these cases, a pullout system is a much better solution. The vertical design utilises every last centimetre of available space, and allows you to find and retrieve pantry items quickly and with ease. Genius.
Here’s how you can bring the pantry into your kitchen
4. Concealed cooler
This may look like an ordinary kitchen cupboard, but all is not what it seems – it’s actually a fully integrated refrigerator. These cleverly concealed coolers are an ideal solution when you don’t want a large stainless steel or white fridge to interfere with the clean, sparse look of a minimalist-style kitchen or the old-world charm of a more traditional space. Plus, the integrated design means you can incorporate additional storage above the appliance.
This may look like an ordinary kitchen cupboard, but all is not what it seems – it’s actually a fully integrated refrigerator. These cleverly concealed coolers are an ideal solution when you don’t want a large stainless steel or white fridge to interfere with the clean, sparse look of a minimalist-style kitchen or the old-world charm of a more traditional space. Plus, the integrated design means you can incorporate additional storage above the appliance.
5. Clever counter storage
Do you have an island that doesn’t have cabinetry or drawers below the benchtop? If you like the slimline look but wish the island had more to offer than just aesthetics, search for accessories you can affix temporarily or permanently to the bench that provide extra storage but don’t add bulk. Case in point: This island, which has an in-built bread bin and utensil holders that sit just below the bench for easy access.
Do you have an island that doesn’t have cabinetry or drawers below the benchtop? If you like the slimline look but wish the island had more to offer than just aesthetics, search for accessories you can affix temporarily or permanently to the bench that provide extra storage but don’t add bulk. Case in point: This island, which has an in-built bread bin and utensil holders that sit just below the bench for easy access.
6. Private pantry
Planning on renovating your kitchen? Consider incorporating a walk-in pantry that’s tucked away behind a cupboard or sliding door into the design. If you like to entertain and have enough room to play with, a butler’s pantry (basically a kitchen within a kitchen) may be a more practical solution for you. That way, you’ll have ample storage, plus an extra work zone containing all your appliances where you can prep food without worrying about making a mess that’s on show.
Planning on renovating your kitchen? Consider incorporating a walk-in pantry that’s tucked away behind a cupboard or sliding door into the design. If you like to entertain and have enough room to play with, a butler’s pantry (basically a kitchen within a kitchen) may be a more practical solution for you. That way, you’ll have ample storage, plus an extra work zone containing all your appliances where you can prep food without worrying about making a mess that’s on show.
7. Camouflaged canisters
If you want to declutter your benchtop but don’t want to stick certain items in the cupboard where you’ll most likely forget about them, hide them in plain sight. In this kitchen, a collection of magnetic spice jars on a gleaming metal backsplash doubles up as an eye-catching piece of art. Another idea is to mount a planter filled with herbs on your kitchen wall – you’ll not only have fresh herbs at your fingertips, but it’ll add a pop of colour to your cooking area, too.
Here’s a complete guide on microgreens
If you want to declutter your benchtop but don’t want to stick certain items in the cupboard where you’ll most likely forget about them, hide them in plain sight. In this kitchen, a collection of magnetic spice jars on a gleaming metal backsplash doubles up as an eye-catching piece of art. Another idea is to mount a planter filled with herbs on your kitchen wall – you’ll not only have fresh herbs at your fingertips, but it’ll add a pop of colour to your cooking area, too.
Here’s a complete guide on microgreens
8. Below the bar
Is there a small gap underneath your elevated breakfast bar? This handy pocket of space is a great place to store plates, small serving bowls and other compact items that are used regularly.
Is there a small gap underneath your elevated breakfast bar? This handy pocket of space is a great place to store plates, small serving bowls and other compact items that are used regularly.
9. Concealed coffee station
If you’ve banished small appliances from your kitchen bench but can’t bear the thought of not having your coffeemaker there, refit a small cupboard with a pullout base and use it as a slide-out coffee counter. Store your machine inside, along with cups, beans or pods and sugar to complete the set-up.
If you’ve banished small appliances from your kitchen bench but can’t bear the thought of not having your coffeemaker there, refit a small cupboard with a pullout base and use it as a slide-out coffee counter. Store your machine inside, along with cups, beans or pods and sugar to complete the set-up.
10. Backsplash surprise
A backsplash that doubles as a sliding cabinet door is an inspired idea for a compact cooking zone. Here, the sliding panel hides spices and other condiments, making them within easy reach while cooking.
A backsplash that doubles as a sliding cabinet door is an inspired idea for a compact cooking zone. Here, the sliding panel hides spices and other condiments, making them within easy reach while cooking.
11. Hidden home office
If you’re often found working on your laptop at the kitchen bench or dining table, why not create a hidden home office in the area that can be concealed behind cabinetry? The secret workspace can double as a message centre for the home, as well as a place to keep bills and other important paperwork.
Take a look at this step-by-step guide to make a home office
If you’re often found working on your laptop at the kitchen bench or dining table, why not create a hidden home office in the area that can be concealed behind cabinetry? The secret workspace can double as a message centre for the home, as well as a place to keep bills and other important paperwork.
Take a look at this step-by-step guide to make a home office
12. Storage for tight spaces
Pullout racks and base units are clever solutions for awkward spots that often go unused in the cooking zone, for example niches next to ovens and kitchen sinks.
Pullout racks and base units are clever solutions for awkward spots that often go unused in the cooking zone, for example niches next to ovens and kitchen sinks.
14. Kickboard drawers
The area between the base of your cabinetry and the floor is one of the most under-utilised spaces in the kitchen; in fact, it’s often not used at all. Kickboard drawers allow you to maximise this space – use them to store items you don’t use every day such as platters and table linen.
The area between the base of your cabinetry and the floor is one of the most under-utilised spaces in the kitchen; in fact, it’s often not used at all. Kickboard drawers allow you to maximise this space – use them to store items you don’t use every day such as platters and table linen.
15. Top-secret wine cellar
Do you like to indulge in a glass of red or white? Then maybe you should consider investing in an integrated wine fridge, which can be blended with your existing decor. These cool cabinets will keep your wine collection at an optimum temperature, unlike the bottom of your pantry.
Read more:
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Tell us:
What’s your favourite secret kitchen storage spot? Tell us and share your high-resolution photos in the Comments below.
Do you like to indulge in a glass of red or white? Then maybe you should consider investing in an integrated wine fridge, which can be blended with your existing decor. These cool cabinets will keep your wine collection at an optimum temperature, unlike the bottom of your pantry.
Read more:
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Tell us:
What’s your favourite secret kitchen storage spot? Tell us and share your high-resolution photos in the Comments below.
Want to get rid of the benchtop appliances taking over your workspace, but not sure where to put them? An appliance garage (designed for one or multiple gadgets) is just what you need. Install a few power points inside and you only need to slide your heavy appliances out a little way to use them, then slide them back again when finished. The cupboard can sit flush with your existing cabinetry, which means there’s no bulk, so no-one will even guess what’s going on behind those closed doors.