Need More Storage in Your Open-Plan Kitchen? Just Look Outside
Make the most of an adjoining space by seamlessly incorporating additional storage, from a sideboard to a smart divider
Amanda Pollard
4 June 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
There isn’t always enough room in a kitchen for everything you need to house – which is where an open-plan space comes into its own. By having easy access to other zones, you can add some overflow storage for kitchen essentials. Here’s how to do it seamlessly and stylishly.
Make it a feature
It’s important to plan a kitchen that’s ergonomic and functional so you can quickly find what you need for cooking, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be within grabbing distance. If you’ve run out of space, simply add an extra piece of storage to another part of the room.
In this kitchen-diner, the wall of units is close to hand, but there’s a separate cabinet in the dining space – perfect for those items the owners need less often.
The key here is that the cabinet is the same design as the rest of the kitchen, so it easily blends into the room…
It’s important to plan a kitchen that’s ergonomic and functional so you can quickly find what you need for cooking, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be within grabbing distance. If you’ve run out of space, simply add an extra piece of storage to another part of the room.
In this kitchen-diner, the wall of units is close to hand, but there’s a separate cabinet in the dining space – perfect for those items the owners need less often.
The key here is that the cabinet is the same design as the rest of the kitchen, so it easily blends into the room…
…but at the same time, it’s a beautiful piece of furniture that looks good on its own.
Build a divider
In this large space, the designers have created a nifty piece of furniture that does two jobs in one. Not only does it beautifully divide the dining area from the seating zone, it also incorporates masses of extra storage.
The owners can use the internal shelves for glassware, tableware and any other pieces that won’t fit in the kitchen.
In this large space, the designers have created a nifty piece of furniture that does two jobs in one. Not only does it beautifully divide the dining area from the seating zone, it also incorporates masses of extra storage.
The owners can use the internal shelves for glassware, tableware and any other pieces that won’t fit in the kitchen.
Go behind the scenes
When you’re planning storage in your kitchen, don’t just focus on the areas accessible from the cooking zone. Instead, look at ways you can add cabinets and shelves to the back of a unit, island or peninsula.
Here, for example, the designers have fitted a shallow set of drawers, cabinets and shelves to the rear of the base units.
When you’re planning storage in your kitchen, don’t just focus on the areas accessible from the cooking zone. Instead, look at ways you can add cabinets and shelves to the back of a unit, island or peninsula.
Here, for example, the designers have fitted a shallow set of drawers, cabinets and shelves to the rear of the base units.
Carry on along
Where your cooking area stops, consider continuing your cabinetry a little further along. The run of wall and base units in this sleek kitchen has been continued into the dining area.
To differentiate the two zones, the designers have gone for low-level base cabinets and taller wall cabinets.
Where your cooking area stops, consider continuing your cabinetry a little further along. The run of wall and base units in this sleek kitchen has been continued into the dining area.
To differentiate the two zones, the designers have gone for low-level base cabinets and taller wall cabinets.
Match the finish
In this open-plan room, the designers have fitted a compact kitchen into a corner zone. Additional storage has been built into the area beneath the stairs, with easy access from the cooking space.
The wooden finish helps to tie in the two areas, giving a harmonious look to the whole space.
In this open-plan room, the designers have fitted a compact kitchen into a corner zone. Additional storage has been built into the area beneath the stairs, with easy access from the cooking space.
The wooden finish helps to tie in the two areas, giving a harmonious look to the whole space.
Differentiate with colour
To add more storage for the cooking zone in this open-plan room, the designers positioned large kitchen cabinets in the living area. To ensure the cabinets blend into the cosy seating area, they’ve painted them a darker tone than the ones in the kitchen.
To add more storage for the cooking zone in this open-plan room, the designers positioned large kitchen cabinets in the living area. To ensure the cabinets blend into the cosy seating area, they’ve painted them a darker tone than the ones in the kitchen.
The designers have also painted the wall behind and the hall door in the same colour as the cabinets, which makes them feel like a substantial part of the room.
10 kitchen colour schemes That will stand the test of time
10 kitchen colour schemes That will stand the test of time
Get cohesive
If you’re going to add some overflow kitchen storage to another part of your space, try this clever trick to create a harmonious look.
The sideboard behind the dining table provides some handy storage in the eating area. The white finish matches the kitchen to tie in the two areas, but to finish it off, the designers added a surface of floor tiles along the top.
If you’re going to add some overflow kitchen storage to another part of your space, try this clever trick to create a harmonious look.
The sideboard behind the dining table provides some handy storage in the eating area. The white finish matches the kitchen to tie in the two areas, but to finish it off, the designers added a surface of floor tiles along the top.
The tiles are the same stunning design as the kitchen floor, giving a cohesive, considered feel to the whole space.
Maximise the space
The designers of this kitchen have had to be clever with space planning, fitting everything into a tight area with awkward angles.
They’ve managed to incorporate additional kitchen storage by taking the cabinets around the other side of a wall. A row of base units and wall cabinets have been built into the area to the side of the cookspace, with a top edge that neatly follows the slant of the roof.
TELL US
How have you incorporated additional overflow storage into your kitchen? Did you find these ideas helpful? Share your thoughts, ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Read more kitchen stories
The designers of this kitchen have had to be clever with space planning, fitting everything into a tight area with awkward angles.
They’ve managed to incorporate additional kitchen storage by taking the cabinets around the other side of a wall. A row of base units and wall cabinets have been built into the area to the side of the cookspace, with a top edge that neatly follows the slant of the roof.
TELL US
How have you incorporated additional overflow storage into your kitchen? Did you find these ideas helpful? Share your thoughts, ideas and photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Read more kitchen stories
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I love the idea of built in cupboards that extend into the dining and living areas. Not only is it extra storage, but if the design is the same as that of the kitchen it all blends in. It's beautiful to look at and practical.
Down-size, de-clutter, then no overflow space required!