The Most Requested Cabinet Storage Features for Kitchens
Getting a new kitchen is a dream come true for most homeowners, but when you utilize every square inch with functional storage –it can be life changing!
Custom divided cabinets on either side of this Wolf Range accommodate spice pullouts on each side and tray dividers!
When planning kitchen storage, the most popular question I get is, “what do most people ask for?”. So I’m here to give you the most requested kitchen cabinet storage features… and a couple super cool ones too!
So, let’s get to it - over the last 10 years, here are the most common kitchen storage features regardless of kitchen size, layout, or style (listed in no particular order…)
#1: Trash and Recycle Pull Outs
This should come as no surprise - a cabinet dedicated to concealing the look (and smell!) of trash is one of the top requests! While this is certainly not ‘the coolest’ or prettiest accessory, it is probably the most requested! It has been improved upon over the years, and these pullouts can now come with metal drip edges (so nasties don’t drip onto the edge of your beautiful new cabinet door!) and pull out cutting boards that slide out over the trash can!
#2: Spice Storage
I am a big fan of spice pull outs (we actually have two of them in our kitchen) because they not only make use of the smallest spaces (as narrow as 6”!), but they can (depending on their width) store more than just spices - we store tin foil, saran wrap, extra soap and dishwasher detergent in our 2nd one! If you’re not a fan of the pull outs on the side of the range, sometimes you can store them under your cooktop!
#3: Blind Corner Swing Out Shelves
These are brilliant solutions when you’re living in a kitchen from the 1970’s –you can not only reach the deep dark corners of your cabinets, but you have shelves that can support anywhere from 45 pounds to 60 pounds (depending on the swing out shelf size/style).
This storage is ideal for those deep corners because they actually swing out from the back of the cabinet, so you don’t have to get on your hands and knees to get your mixing bowls!
This swing-out shelf with edging keeps your items in place, while motion activated light makes it easy to see and access your favorite kitchen tools.
#4: Cabinet and Drawer Organizers
This is the ‘least sexy’ tip, for sure - but it is critical for designing the most functional built in storage (hello, cabinet organizers!). Above are some of my favorite examples, including some beautiful pots and pans storage and dish storage with moveable pegs to hold your full sets with ease.
Design tip: When designing your dream storage solutions, going through your belongings is most important for kitchens, baths, and closets before hand!
Why? Because, if you’re designing kitchen cabinet storage for the multiple sets of dishes you don’t use –or you love to cook, but store all of your small kitchen appliances in the garage– then go through all that stuff and decide what you want to keep, what you want to have readily accessible for daily or regular use. Now you can design your storage accordingly!
The best part about this tip, is that you can create nearly any type of storage you want. From the ultra custom, to more simple add-on accessories, it’s possible to find a solution that fits your needs.
#5: Swing-Up and Pull-Down Shelves
While these are not the most requested storage features, they are a hidden gem when it comes to accessibility! A mixer swing up shelf is amazing for giving you easy access to your mixer without having to store it on the countertop (and it doubles as a space to use it too!). For those items (or spaces) you struggle to reach (hello cabinet above the fridge!), you can pull-down what you need with ease. If you have limited mobility and need assistance reaching regular wall cabinets, pull down shelves can be installed to bring things into reach!
When designing kitchen cabinetry, I will always ask folks what the largest item is that they want to store, what they use the most, and how they cook (who cooks, what tools they use, what kind of space they need), so that we can design the most functional cooking environment possible. You need to know what you have if you want to be able to design the proper storage for it!
Ready to start working on your remodel? Awesome, I’ve got some resources that can help!