How to Spot Hidden Storage Opportunities in Your Kitchen
Eyeball your kitchen left, right and centre for there might be a myriad storage options you may have missed
Tanya Selever
19 August 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. Founder and director of Tansel Stainless Steel Wireware, I love all things storage, home and interiors. I have 13 years' experience in product design and our home is a continuous renovation project. I'm a busy mother of two young boys and am delighted to be contributing to Houzz. My B. Econ, M. Mgt and Dip. Financial Service, as well as an earlier corporate career, continue to come in handy to this day.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Founder and director of Tansel Stainless Steel Wireware,... More
Using all the available space in your kitchen will reduce clutter and improve organisation. So whether your kitchen is large or small, these small-space storage ideas will work well in just about any cooking space. It’s just a matter of standing still and looking closely at what’s in front of you.
No matter the size of our kitchens, many of us wish there was more space to store incidental or unsightly items. Read on to learn how to spot a storage opportunity, and the best ways to functionally maximise that space.
Spot a narrow nook?
The nook may initially seem like a difficult space to use because it’s commonly narrow and (if deep) difficult to access. Many of these spaces, with a little thinking outside the square, can be storage treasures.
The joinery around this passageway creates a lovely transition between the kitchen and adjoining room, while creating a great place for cook books and some prized crockery.
10 uses for the space above the door
The nook may initially seem like a difficult space to use because it’s commonly narrow and (if deep) difficult to access. Many of these spaces, with a little thinking outside the square, can be storage treasures.
The joinery around this passageway creates a lovely transition between the kitchen and adjoining room, while creating a great place for cook books and some prized crockery.
10 uses for the space above the door
The bookcase and wine storage are great decorative storage features in this small kitchen. They add additional storage and remove items that might otherwise clutter the kitchen.
Spot a blind corner?
These blind corners are always tricky to work with, so why not turn a negative into a positive? Creating a bookcase in an awkward corner gives extra detailing, as well as easy access to cookbooks and other reference materials.
These blind corners are always tricky to work with, so why not turn a negative into a positive? Creating a bookcase in an awkward corner gives extra detailing, as well as easy access to cookbooks and other reference materials.
Spot a corner nook?
This corner nook was given considerable thought before being turned into wine storage. It’s a great idea for any kitchen, butler’s pantry or even a small home bar. Corners can be hard to work with, but here all the space is usable and functional.
Browse inspirational kitchens
This corner nook was given considerable thought before being turned into wine storage. It’s a great idea for any kitchen, butler’s pantry or even a small home bar. Corners can be hard to work with, but here all the space is usable and functional.
Browse inspirational kitchens
Spot a fridge gap?
If you’ve ever bought a home with a fridge space that doesn’t match your fridge, you’ll most likely end up with a wide gap. Sometimes that gap is large enough to become a good ‘space opportunity’. Most people will squeeze in the broom and possibly an ironing board, but if you want something more permanent and, dare I say, more visually appealing (or concealed), these solutions might be a great option…
If you’ve ever bought a home with a fridge space that doesn’t match your fridge, you’ll most likely end up with a wide gap. Sometimes that gap is large enough to become a good ‘space opportunity’. Most people will squeeze in the broom and possibly an ironing board, but if you want something more permanent and, dare I say, more visually appealing (or concealed), these solutions might be a great option…
Spaces that are 100 millimetres wide or less are perfectly suited to wine storage, which requires minimal space. If you want something that is a little more versatile, adjustable shelves can give you good storage for books, platters and other bits you might want to store.
These solutions might be great, but they don’t use all the available depth. These fridge gaps are generally 50 to 60 centimetres deep so if you need to make use off this depth, a slide-out system might prove a better use of space.
These solutions might be great, but they don’t use all the available depth. These fridge gaps are generally 50 to 60 centimetres deep so if you need to make use off this depth, a slide-out system might prove a better use of space.
There are several options for these spaces. If your kitchen is existing and you want to transform the space for better access and functionality, some of these solutions can be retrofitted.
The narrowest pull-out pantry can suit a cabinet that is only 14 centimetres wide (internal measurement). The more common types suit 25-centimetre-wide spaces (internal). They provide great functionality because all contents can be easily accessed. These systems are best professionally installed and can be expensive.
The narrowest pull-out pantry can suit a cabinet that is only 14 centimetres wide (internal measurement). The more common types suit 25-centimetre-wide spaces (internal). They provide great functionality because all contents can be easily accessed. These systems are best professionally installed and can be expensive.
Spot a narrow space?
Some of these mechanisms can be fitted behind a hinged door as well as installed into existing cabinetry. This is a great option if you’re DIY-inclined or have an existing space that needs better access: they are flexible and give you maximum access into tight spaces.
Tip: Fit pull-outs into narrow spaces. Bottom-mounted slides will enable you to install pull-outs into really tight spaces. Side-mount slides in narrow spaces require holes to be screwed before the cabinet is assembled.
Some of these mechanisms can be fitted behind a hinged door as well as installed into existing cabinetry. This is a great option if you’re DIY-inclined or have an existing space that needs better access: they are flexible and give you maximum access into tight spaces.
Tip: Fit pull-outs into narrow spaces. Bottom-mounted slides will enable you to install pull-outs into really tight spaces. Side-mount slides in narrow spaces require holes to be screwed before the cabinet is assembled.
Internal drawers can also be used in narrow spaces. The width options are highly flexible because they are custom made. Do your homework on the side-wall thickness because some drawer systems might leave you with limited storage space, especially if the cabinet is less than 13 centimetres wide inside.
Spot a clear wall?
It’s always a trade off between wider passage/hall space and additional storage. I love what they’ve done here: the room is still open, but the slim cabinets on the right provide nice visual balance and terrific storage. The cabinets may be shallow but they offer plenty of space perfect for glasses, mugs, cups, chopping boards and more.
It’s always a trade off between wider passage/hall space and additional storage. I love what they’ve done here: the room is still open, but the slim cabinets on the right provide nice visual balance and terrific storage. The cabinets may be shallow but they offer plenty of space perfect for glasses, mugs, cups, chopping boards and more.
Spot empty floor space?
Whether they’re freestanding or on castors, small kitchen islands can be useful in a wide range of kitchen spaces. They can be moved around and serve a range of functions: additional food prep area, bar/serving station when entertaining, or a casual table to dine at. Being able to integrate storage into these islands further adds to their value. Just consider the workflow of the space to make sure you can easily get around if dishwasher doors or drawers are open.
Whether they’re freestanding or on castors, small kitchen islands can be useful in a wide range of kitchen spaces. They can be moved around and serve a range of functions: additional food prep area, bar/serving station when entertaining, or a casual table to dine at. Being able to integrate storage into these islands further adds to their value. Just consider the workflow of the space to make sure you can easily get around if dishwasher doors or drawers are open.
Spot a cabinet end?
Inexpensive and readily available hooks and fittings can be used to organise the wall space so all those bits and pieces are stored away. You can also use racks (such as space racks) inside these cabinets to maximise storage where there are empty sections.
Cut and dried tricks for small service yards
Inexpensive and readily available hooks and fittings can be used to organise the wall space so all those bits and pieces are stored away. You can also use racks (such as space racks) inside these cabinets to maximise storage where there are empty sections.
Cut and dried tricks for small service yards
Spot a deep void?
If a cabinet end doesn’t work into your design but you have a deep but narrow space that could be put to good use, this slide-out broom/mop holder is a good option. Its specially designed racks fit around the broom or mop allowing for all the space to be used efficiently. It’s great for kitchens, laundries, and under-stair cabinets.
If a cabinet end doesn’t work into your design but you have a deep but narrow space that could be put to good use, this slide-out broom/mop holder is a good option. Its specially designed racks fit around the broom or mop allowing for all the space to be used efficiently. It’s great for kitchens, laundries, and under-stair cabinets.
Spot a shallow void?
These shallow spaces can provide a great place to store narrow items such as brooms, mops and dust pans. These commonly used items are concealed within the cabinetry design, so they blend in seamlessly yet provide maximum functionality.
TELL US
Have you used any of these storage-enhancing methods in your small kitchen? Share your tips with our readers. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the photos and join the conversation.
These shallow spaces can provide a great place to store narrow items such as brooms, mops and dust pans. These commonly used items are concealed within the cabinetry design, so they blend in seamlessly yet provide maximum functionality.
TELL US
Have you used any of these storage-enhancing methods in your small kitchen? Share your tips with our readers. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, save the photos and join the conversation.
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Love this article, many thanks. Lots of ideas here that will help me with my new kitchen layout.
This was a great read, very useful ideas here.
Brilliant ideas in this article