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
Vanessa Brunner
December 5, 2012
Houzz Contributor
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Consult a kitchen designer near you
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.
Consult a kitchen designer near you
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.
Shop kitchen storage and organization products
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.
Shop kitchen storage and organization products
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@sal & @Mari
Great useful tips. it's true, just because you've always done it 'that way' or 'kept it there', does not mean that is what works.
I get so overwhelmed with things like this because I have no idea where to start. I've always worked in very small kitchens with little space for storage (for both tools and food). And I've always done well in them. The kitchen I grew up in was considerably more spacious than my current one, but it was more or less a single 15' wall of cabinets + a corner cabinet and an extra cabinet on the right. Right now my kitchen has 2 1/2 upper cabinets (the 1/2 being the mini cabinet over the stove), the cabinet under the sink, two very narrow lower cabinets (15" wide--one is my pantry), three drawers (the usual skinny, medium, and tall layout stacked on top of one another), and a junk drawer. I could use another cabinet or two to prep food on (since right now I have about 1/2 a cabinet to prep food on...) and use as a pantry... but otherwise I see all this space and I have no idea how I would fill it up. How could I possibly begin to plan for all of this extra space? It's like asking someone who wears the same two shirts and pairs of pants to design their dream walk-in closet. Anyone else???
Hi there! Would love to hear your suggestions as im remodelling this 25+ year old kitchen.
I have a u-shaped kitchen with a granite counter top. Im adding top level storage till the ceiling (9-feet ceiling). The lower cabinets will be changed to drawers- most of them, except the corner.
About the upper cabinets, i find accessing the higher shelves and inner surfaces a bit difficult. Are pullout drawers an option, considering there is a platform? I haven't come across any upper cabinets with pull-out/ roll out drawers. I have seen plenty of tallboys with this feature.