Kitchen Design
25 Genius Kitchen Storage Ideas
From simple add-ons to custom features, these are the storage solutions you didn’t know your kitchen needed
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel or building a kitchen from scratch, you probably know about common storage solutions such as drawer and cabinet dividers. But the Houzz photo feed is filled with creative storage ideas that might not have crossed your radar, ranging from simple hacks you can add yourself to more elaborate, specialized features that require collaborating with a kitchen designer or cabinetmaker. Here are 25 worth considering.
The backsplash in this Hillsborough, California, kitchen by TRG Architecture + Interior Design has a section that slides up and down instead of side to side. The niche is deep enough to house small appliances, and presumably has an outlet in the back too.
25 Kitchen Storage Features Pros Swear By
25 Kitchen Storage Features Pros Swear By
2. Hidden Backsplash Drawer
The sink backsplash in this Providence, Rhode Island, kitchen by Alex Interiors has a secret: a toaster hides in an integrated drawer. When closed, it’s only identifiable by a tiny tab pull.
How to Start a Kitchen Remodel
The sink backsplash in this Providence, Rhode Island, kitchen by Alex Interiors has a secret: a toaster hides in an integrated drawer. When closed, it’s only identifiable by a tiny tab pull.
How to Start a Kitchen Remodel
3. Fruit and Vegetable Bins
Some vegetables and fruits are best stored in airy baskets at room temperature rather than in a refrigerator. In this Houston-area kitchen by Jennifer Kizzee Design, a basic drawer with basket inserts and a wire mesh panel front serves the purpose with little custom woodworking required.
Some vegetables and fruits are best stored in airy baskets at room temperature rather than in a refrigerator. In this Houston-area kitchen by Jennifer Kizzee Design, a basic drawer with basket inserts and a wire mesh panel front serves the purpose with little custom woodworking required.
Bins reminiscent of those found in an old-school produce department hold fruits and veggies in this Atlanta kitchen by Theresa Ory Interiors.
4. Bread Drawer
Pests and excessive heat, air and moisture are all enemies of bread. Bread drawers, like this one in a Santa Cruz, California, kitchen by Urbana Design Studio, can be made by fitting a drawer with a sliding vented cover that keeps bread loaves fresher longer while keeping critters at bay.
Shop for bread boxes and bread drawer covers on Houzz
Pests and excessive heat, air and moisture are all enemies of bread. Bread drawers, like this one in a Santa Cruz, California, kitchen by Urbana Design Studio, can be made by fitting a drawer with a sliding vented cover that keeps bread loaves fresher longer while keeping critters at bay.
Shop for bread boxes and bread drawer covers on Houzz
The Secret Drawer custom-built a bread drawer for this country kitchen in England.
5. Pullout Dog Food Container
LiLu Interiors used what looks like a simple pullout for a trash can to create a dog food station in this St. Paul, Minnesota, kitchen.
12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Kitchen
LiLu Interiors used what looks like a simple pullout for a trash can to create a dog food station in this St. Paul, Minnesota, kitchen.
12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Kitchen
6. Toe-Kick Drawer
Toe-kick drawers are excellent for storing trays and baking pans and making good use of an underused space. But have you thought of using one for feeding your kitty and then tucking the bowls neatly away afterward, as with this one in a Staten Island, New York, kitchen uploaded by Studio Dearborn?
Toe-kick drawers are excellent for storing trays and baking pans and making good use of an underused space. But have you thought of using one for feeding your kitty and then tucking the bowls neatly away afterward, as with this one in a Staten Island, New York, kitchen uploaded by Studio Dearborn?
7. Built-In Stool
Even if cabinetry doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling, the top shelf of an upper cabinet can be hard to reach. Another creative use of a toe-kick is to hide a stool in it, as in this kitchen by Kitchen Cove Design Studio in southern Maine.
Even if cabinetry doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling, the top shelf of an upper cabinet can be hard to reach. Another creative use of a toe-kick is to hide a stool in it, as in this kitchen by Kitchen Cove Design Studio in southern Maine.
Alternatively, a mere 1½-inch gap between cabinets can accommodate a folding step stool like the one in this Portland, Oregon, kitchen by Guggenheim Architecture + Design Studio.
8. Junk Drawer No More
Paperwork, office supplies and thingamajigs tend to accumulate in a kitchen, whether or not it doubles as an office. These beautifully dovetailed drawers in a New York City townhouse designed by One to One Studio enforce order on the dreaded piles and the overflowing junk drawer.
Shop for kitchen drawer organizers on Houzz
Paperwork, office supplies and thingamajigs tend to accumulate in a kitchen, whether or not it doubles as an office. These beautifully dovetailed drawers in a New York City townhouse designed by One to One Studio enforce order on the dreaded piles and the overflowing junk drawer.
Shop for kitchen drawer organizers on Houzz
9. Pullout Shelf
A pullout shelf, like this one in a Pennsylvania kitchen by Glenna Stone Interiors, is a handy way to create more counter space out of thin air.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
A pullout shelf, like this one in a Pennsylvania kitchen by Glenna Stone Interiors, is a handy way to create more counter space out of thin air.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
10. Knife and Cutting Board Pairing
A knife drawer isn’t especially cutting-edge, but it’s especially smart when paired with a divided lower cabinet for cutting boards, as in this Chicago-area kitchen uploaded by Forest Glen Construction.
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers for Good
A knife drawer isn’t especially cutting-edge, but it’s especially smart when paired with a divided lower cabinet for cutting boards, as in this Chicago-area kitchen uploaded by Forest Glen Construction.
How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers for Good
11. Tilt-Out Cutting Board Holder
Divided lower cabinets make accessing cutting boards and cookie sheets easier than when they’re piled on top of each other, but the boards can be awkward to pull out without squatting down. This tilt-out lower cabinet uploaded by Everingham Design makes grabbing a board more ergonomic.
Divided lower cabinets make accessing cutting boards and cookie sheets easier than when they’re piled on top of each other, but the boards can be awkward to pull out without squatting down. This tilt-out lower cabinet uploaded by Everingham Design makes grabbing a board more ergonomic.
12. Slide-Out Trays and Cutting Boards
In the cheerful yellow kitchen of her Georgian townhouse, British designer Josie Lywood of Q Design House has what appear to be slide-out removable trays or cutting boards stored in vertical slots in the custom cabinetry.
In the cheerful yellow kitchen of her Georgian townhouse, British designer Josie Lywood of Q Design House has what appear to be slide-out removable trays or cutting boards stored in vertical slots in the custom cabinetry.
Here’s an example of an integrated cutting board on drawer slides, which is designed so food scraps can be pushed through a hole into a compost or trash can below.
13. Combo Compost and Cleaning Products
In another Staten Island kitchen uploaded by Studio Dearborn, a drawer-paper towel dispenser is stacked atop a trash, recycling and composting pullout. A notable element of this design is the section of the pullout below the compost bin that’s reserved for storing cleaning products.
How to Get Your Pullout Waste and Recycling Cabinets Right
In another Staten Island kitchen uploaded by Studio Dearborn, a drawer-paper towel dispenser is stacked atop a trash, recycling and composting pullout. A notable element of this design is the section of the pullout below the compost bin that’s reserved for storing cleaning products.
How to Get Your Pullout Waste and Recycling Cabinets Right
14. Discreet Paper Towel Dispenser
Paper towel dispensers that are integrated into cabinet fronts, like the one in the previous photo, are frequent additions to kitchen remodels these days. But not everyone wants their paper towels on display. This feature by Kate Roos Design, which is in the beautiful kitchen of a 1930s home in Minneapolis, is conveniently placed by the sink but keeps the towels hidden away.
Paper towel dispensers that are integrated into cabinet fronts, like the one in the previous photo, are frequent additions to kitchen remodels these days. But not everyone wants their paper towels on display. This feature by Kate Roos Design, which is in the beautiful kitchen of a 1930s home in Minneapolis, is conveniently placed by the sink but keeps the towels hidden away.
15. Pullout Dish Towel Rack
This English kitchen by Krantz Designs is full of fun features built into its soft gray and American walnut cabinetry, including this pullout rack for hanging dish towels.
Shop for a towel pullout on Houzz
This English kitchen by Krantz Designs is full of fun features built into its soft gray and American walnut cabinetry, including this pullout rack for hanging dish towels.
Shop for a towel pullout on Houzz
16. U-Shaped Undersink Drawer
Fishing around behind the garbage disposal is no fun, and pullout undersink organizers, while helpful, are a two-step solution. Deep U-shaped drawers, on the other hand, like this one in an Illinois kitchen by Amy Storm & Co., make organizing and finding cleaning products a one-handed, one-step endeavor.
12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Kitchen
Fishing around behind the garbage disposal is no fun, and pullout undersink organizers, while helpful, are a two-step solution. Deep U-shaped drawers, on the other hand, like this one in an Illinois kitchen by Amy Storm & Co., make organizing and finding cleaning products a one-handed, one-step endeavor.
12 Custom Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Kitchen
17. Labeled Snack Drawers
JDM Woodworks carved labels, including “Gluten Free,” right into the cabinet fronts in this Irish kitchen. While handy for any family trying to stay organized, this idea could be particularly helpful to those dealing with dietary restrictions and allergies.
JDM Woodworks carved labels, including “Gluten Free,” right into the cabinet fronts in this Irish kitchen. While handy for any family trying to stay organized, this idea could be particularly helpful to those dealing with dietary restrictions and allergies.
18. Hardworking Lazy Susans
Despite their name, lazy Susans are hard workers when it comes to keeping kitchen cabinets and refrigerator shelves organized. Neat Method New Hampshire added them to this lighted, somewhat deep cabinet to make it easy to find and grab oils and other ingredients.
Despite their name, lazy Susans are hard workers when it comes to keeping kitchen cabinets and refrigerator shelves organized. Neat Method New Hampshire added them to this lighted, somewhat deep cabinet to make it easy to find and grab oils and other ingredients.
In Michigan, Sara Vanderstelt With Creative Kitchens corralled syrup bottles with a lazy Susan, turning them into a fun countertop feature.
12 Clever Kitchen Cabinet Storage Ideas
12 Clever Kitchen Cabinet Storage Ideas
19. Coat and Shoe Cubbies
When a house has a small entryway that leads to a kitchen, the kitchen can become an unwelcome drop zone. This Japandi-style Minnesota kitchen by Fox Interiors solves the clutter problem with storage for coats and a small bench for removing shoes. Even better, the storage simply looks like part of the kitchen because it’s built into the cabinetry.
When a house has a small entryway that leads to a kitchen, the kitchen can become an unwelcome drop zone. This Japandi-style Minnesota kitchen by Fox Interiors solves the clutter problem with storage for coats and a small bench for removing shoes. Even better, the storage simply looks like part of the kitchen because it’s built into the cabinetry.
20. Disguised Laundry Machines
You-Neek Designs had an unusual challenge in redesigning a long eat-in galley kitchen in Pittsburgh: incorporating a laundry room in the design. The solution was to disguise the washer and dryer behind these metal-mesh-fronted pocket doors and to use an appliance-garage-style cabinet to stash the detergent. A slim, tall pullout next to the machines stores brooms and other cleaning supplies.
You-Neek Designs had an unusual challenge in redesigning a long eat-in galley kitchen in Pittsburgh: incorporating a laundry room in the design. The solution was to disguise the washer and dryer behind these metal-mesh-fronted pocket doors and to use an appliance-garage-style cabinet to stash the detergent. A slim, tall pullout next to the machines stores brooms and other cleaning supplies.
21. Slim Cabinet for Brooms and Vacuum Cleaners
In another Pennsylvania project, You-Neek Designs used a shallow, tall cabinet at the end of a cabinet run to create vacuum storage, complete with an outlet for plugging in the charger.
In another Pennsylvania project, You-Neek Designs used a shallow, tall cabinet at the end of a cabinet run to create vacuum storage, complete with an outlet for plugging in the charger.
In this Florida kitchen by One Piece at a Time Design, what appears to be a tall pantry cabinet opens to reveal a pass-through to a laundry room. And inside the passageway is another secret door, this one concealing a shallow cabinet for brooms and other supplies.
22. Pegboard Storage
Eric Wilson — Renovation & Remodeling carved out flexible storage space from a teeny-tiny Cambridge, Massachusetts, kitchen by installing a Kerf Design wall unit that’s like an oversize version of Julia Child’s famous kitchen pegboard.
Pegboard Gets a Stylish Upgrade
Eric Wilson — Renovation & Remodeling carved out flexible storage space from a teeny-tiny Cambridge, Massachusetts, kitchen by installing a Kerf Design wall unit that’s like an oversize version of Julia Child’s famous kitchen pegboard.
Pegboard Gets a Stylish Upgrade
23. Wrapping Paper Tilt-Out
All kinds of household products tend to get stashed in kitchen pantries, including wrapping paper. In this Illinois pantry, Riverton Cabinet used what looks like a tilt-out cabinet for trash cans to keep the rolls under control.
All kinds of household products tend to get stashed in kitchen pantries, including wrapping paper. In this Illinois pantry, Riverton Cabinet used what looks like a tilt-out cabinet for trash cans to keep the rolls under control.
24. Hidden Message Station
Another South Dakota kitchen by Helmüt has a variety of clever storage solutions and features, including this hidden whiteboard and corkboard in a super shallow cabinet that would otherwise be unusable, as well as a charging drawer with USB ports.
Another South Dakota kitchen by Helmüt has a variety of clever storage solutions and features, including this hidden whiteboard and corkboard in a super shallow cabinet that would otherwise be unusable, as well as a charging drawer with USB ports.
25. Outside-the-Box Bottle Storage
Bottle racks of various designs are common in kitchens, but the one next to the fridge in this English kitchen by Wood & Wire is a standout for two reasons. First, the bottles are placed parallel to the wall instead of the more common perpendicular orientation, so they project less into the path of travel. Second, the design helps give the semirecessed fridge a more built-in look.
Bottle racks of various designs are common in kitchens, but the one next to the fridge in this English kitchen by Wood & Wire is a standout for two reasons. First, the bottles are placed parallel to the wall instead of the more common perpendicular orientation, so they project less into the path of travel. Second, the design helps give the semirecessed fridge a more built-in look.
A bench in another English kitchen — this one by Lucie Bonney Design — uses wine crates for drawers alongside vertical cubbies, adding panache to the design.
Your turn: What clever storage features do you have in your kitchen? Share in the Comments.
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Your turn: What clever storage features do you have in your kitchen? Share in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Browse kitchen photos
Find a kitchen remodeler
Shop for your kitchen
When closed, this sliding section of solid slab makes these small jars and bottles disappear. In a Cambridge, Massachusetts, kitchen by Koo de Kir, the design gives the backsplash a nearly seamless, uncluttered look.
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