Software
Houzz Logo Print
girl_wonder

kitchen storage guidelines

7 years ago

Are there any guidelines or checklists for organizing kitchen storage when planning a kitchen remodel?


I have an overall plan for my new kitchen, and I'm reviewing it to make sure it's the best layout and use of storage. I inventoried my current kitchen, noted how often I use stuff, put frequently used stuff close to where it will be used, relegated other stuff to the hinterlands etc. I've also read several articles here on Houzz and elsewhere. Still, this process feels a little hit-or-miss. Are there more specific guidelines or ? Or has anyone else done this exercise and has some tips to offer? I've always just moved into a house and made do, so this feels foreign, trying to plan the "perfect layout." (no pressure there). Thanks for your help!

Comments (16)

  • 7 years ago

    Nkba has a website w various guidelines for kitchens. Counter runs, locating appliances, doorways and walkways, running feet of storage cabinetry , venting etc. do take in the guidelines!

    girl_wonder thanked herbflavor
  • girl_wonder thanked User
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I guess that is a handy guide but honestly every kitchen is different and in mine I broke all kinds of rules because they don’t work with how we cook. As far as storag in a kitchen you have satrted on the right path you need to make a list of everything you have now and put it i the place where it is used then add 20% more storage for down the road. A perfect plan is the one that works for how you use the kitchen. For instance we have back to back sinks in our island one for my husband who does the prep and one for me near the stove I have gadgets on both sides ones for prepping ones for cooking , an extra set of cutlery old ones on the stove side for tasting , stirring little pots of sauce etc. This is how we use our kitchen

    girl_wonder thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    We went whole hog on the mantra of this forum, of drawers, drawer, drawers! We even put them under the main sink. Top drawer is a pull down sponge holder, where I keep a supply of unused blue scrubby sponges. First large drawer holds plastic wrap, tin foil, wax paper, baking paper, dish towels, plastic bags of all sizes. The bottom drawer is where I keep cleaning supplies, dishwasher tablets, extra paper towels, Clorox wipes. So much more convenient than a large cavern under the sink, and the drawers hold a ton of stuff.

    Under the rangetop are two large pots and pans drawers. Ever so convenient.

    Unfortunately, my pictures aren’t loading. :( Never had that problem before. Is there a solution?

    Anyway, if you can, I really urge you to put drawers under your sink. Your contractor will probably have to make a cut out for the pipes, to accommodate the top drawer. Our contractor did a great job finishing the cutouts with sides, to give it a finished look, and prevent anything in the drawer from touching the pipes.

    girl_wonder thanked darbuka
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    patricia, thanks for your thoughts. Ok maybe that’s it. Everyone is different so i guess it take time to figure out what works for me.


    darbuka, thanks for your comments. I wondered about the flip down at the sink. I’m going to have a double sink so not sure there’s room for a middle drawer but let me look into this. Btw I had problems loading photos last week. Finally I realized them and that did the trick. Maybe there’s some new issue with loading big files.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I will share one observation about the kitchen I designed after months of OCD research on the garden web 15 years ago: I wish I had installed some sort of appliance garage.

    An appliance garage used to mean a corner unit with a roll-top desk type door (thus a garage) that I had seen growing up (a big hit in the 80s). I thought they looked a little hokey and often grungy. But they made a great baking center back in the day. One step ahead of those lift base cabinets for mixers which were very popular for decades. Now that I own several big countertop appliances, I really wish I had done a more elegant garage that was available 15 years ago: bringing the upper cabinet all the way down to the countertop or better yet, going with an 18" deep upper cabinet somewhere and brining that all the way down. My kitchen lacks a pantry and food processors or toaster ovens are bulky and lack the cache of a KA stand mixer which can stay on the counter and look cool. My two cents. : )

    girl_wonder thanked cupofkindnessgw
  • 7 years ago

    Thanks cupofkindnessgw . Something to consider!

  • 7 years ago

    I was going to post the Kitchens Forum FAQ, but Fun2BHere beat me to it! (Thanks Fun2BHere!)

    It's one of several FAQs from the "Read Me" thread.

    girl_wonder thanked Buehl
  • 7 years ago

    Know yourself and know your stuff.

    Storage for a lot of china is different than storage for electrical appliances. Do you want bare counters or should things be out where you can get them immediately?

    Modifying the counter height by an inch can do wonders for how your back and shoulders feel if you are very tall or very short. Do you like the dishwasher to the right or left of the sink? What are your quirks? (I prefer to work on wood and hate to face a wall. I don't want wood next to the stove or sink. I have wood on my island and Cambria elsewhere. I don't mind using the counter between the sink and stove because windows start at counter level there.)

    I'm a strong advocate of the walk-through. Identify the tasks you do most often and list the steps and tools needed for each. Take your floor plan and storage plan then walk through each step of each task to see if it works for you.

    girl_wonder thanked Moxie
  • 7 years ago

    Moxie thanks for your comments. That's a great idea to do a walk-through. I have a hard time visualizing, so that would help. Thanks!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I actually get my clients to do a pretend simple dinner in a design count how many steps and see if that works for you . Big kitchens are not usually the best for function and that is why galley kitchens are very functional, not every kitchen needs or should have an island. You need a KD who listens to you about how you use your space.

    girl_wonder thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 7 years ago

    Also think about "other people" in the kitchen while you are trying to cook. If someone else cooks a lot, the kitchen needs to work for them, too. If you have conflicting styles, it's better to do the negotiations now. Then there are the other 2-leggeds (kids or possibly spouse) who do things like camp in front of the microwave. Know their habits and try to arrange things so that their activities aren't in your path. As for the 4-footeds, keep their food and water bowls out of your work area. If you don't, you'll have nervous pets - especially after you scream your fool head off when you step in the cat food bowl. Guess how I learned this one. :-(

    girl_wonder thanked Moxie
  • 7 years ago

    A few things to think about. Silverware, miscellaneous kitchen tool drawer, spice storage, commonly used pot and baking pan, every day glass, bowl and plate storage and garbage/recyclables where you can easily access them while using the main prep area. Easy access from dishwasher to storage of commonly used items. Resting spaces near cooktop, oven, refrigerator, sink and prep areas. Place for pot holders near cooktop and oven and dish towels/paper towels and coffee maker near sink. If you can make this happen and your refrigerator, cooktop, stove, sink, microwave, pantry and work areas are not too far apart, your kitchen should be quite functional. If you have to compromise, think carefully about where/how based how you use the kitchen.

    girl_wonder thanked shivece