It is no secret that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is often the most used space in the house, serving as a gathering spot for family meals, good conversation, and (occasionally) homework. Therefore, it is essential for the kitchen to be a well-designed space that adds to the functionality of the home. However, many homeowners feel that they don’t have enough storage space; in fact, not enough storage is one of the most common kitchen design problems. Fortunately, keeping a tidy and streamlined kitchen is easy if you employ practical storage solutions. Here are some ways to maximize your kitchen storage space.

Stretch the Cabinets

Having a blank space between the upper cabinets and the ceiling leaves an open look and wastes valuable kitchen storage space. Some clients choose to install double-stacked kitchen cabinets, which offer practicality with a high-end look. The lower cabinets provide storage for everyday dishes and glassware, while the upper cabinets are practical spots for small appliances and seasonal dishes that don’t see much use. Double-stacked cabinets are great for transitional or traditional style kitchens. Another option is installing multi-panel doors on the cabinets. The cabinet doors are sectioned off by a rail to give the impression of two doors when it is just one. However, the additional storage space can be used the same way as the double-stacked cabinets. Multi-panel doors offer a similar aesthetic but are more budget-friendly.

Focus on the Pantry

There is no doubt that the kitchen pantry is a must-have in terms of kitchen functionality. However, what if you don’t have the space for a walk-in pantry? It is time to get creative; look around at the areas adjacent to your kitchen. For example, do you have a nearby closet that can be turned into a pantry? Or maybe you have a hallway leading into the kitchen that can be turned into a butler’s pantry? Once you find the space for your new pantry, kitchen storage can be augmented with customized shelving and storage containers, such as glass jars for cereals and baking supplies and baskets/bins for easy storage of boxed items, An added bonus of a large pantry or butler’s pantry: it frees up space in floor and wall cabinets for other essentials.

Give Your Island Drawers

Solving storage issues in the kitchen island can easily be solved by installing intelligent storage options. For example, traditional cabinets can be replaced with drawers and pull-outs, which make things easily accessible for the entire family. Drawers are also more compact; three or four drawers can be installed in the space of a single cabinet on the island.

Built-In Appliances

Are you tired of cluttered kitchen countertops? When designing your dream kitchen, we can build in all your must-haves to create a streamlined appearance. Coffee makers, water dispensers, and pet-feeding centers are just some of the features that we can build in for our clients.

Are you looking for other ways to increase the functionality of your kitchen or your kitchen storage? Please see my article Creating a More Functional Kitchen for more ideas.