Brilliant Kitchen Storage Ideas

Ingenious built-in nooks, drawers, pullouts, and vertical storage for the space-challenged

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then clutter is its cholesterol. I challenge anyone to look around their kitchen and not find a few flaws and eyesores that clog the proverbial arteries. Recently, I came across a roundup of really great ideas from kitchen designers in Houzz, and loved how they added meaningful organization in ways that harmonized with the way we prep meals and feed people (and pets).

While most of them are the result of custom kitchen construction, I bet you could come up with creative hacks that are just as good.

Instant Extra Counter Space

Better than a breadboard: a pullout shelf for extra counter space by Glenna Stone Interiors. I am a sucker for any pullout gadget to hang, stage, and display. (Photo: Houzz).

Built-ins and pullouts used to be very common in house design. I say let’s bring them back. One of the best things about my current (1960s) home is the pullout board between the upper and lower linen cabinets. Love it.

Toekick Kitty Hub

Toekick drawer designed by Studio Dearborn opens out to a little feeding area. It’s an easy way to sweep away the cat clutter when you have guests. (Photo: Houzz)

Toekick space might be the most under-utilized thing in your kitchen. This shallow pullout drawer tucks away neatly in between cat chow times.

Cutting Boards Within Reach

The tilt-out drawer by Everingham Designs provides easy access to cutting boards and cooling racks. (Photo: Houzz)

Tilt-out drawers are the progeny of general store bins that were built with a 45-degree slant so that customers and/or storekeepers could easily reach what was inside. They’re handy! Another favorite in many homes is the shallow tip-out drawer right under the kitchen sink that holds sponges.

Waste Station

Pull-out cabinet by Studio Dearborn houses two full-size bins for trash and recycling, and a metal compost bin alongside. And did you notice the clever paper towel cubby above? (Photo: Houzz)

We have a city-supplied compost bin that sits on our kitchen island. While I appreciate having one, I hate how it looks and the fruit flies it attracts. This metal tub suits me much better. (taking notes)

An Under-Sink Workaround

U-shaped pullout drawer by Amy Storm & Company gives you at least a portion of that precious space beneath the kitchen sink that’s hogged by pipes and garbage disposal. (Photo: Houzz)

Under-the-kitchen-sink space is notorious for its utter lack of user friendliness. This drawer skirts around the tangle of plumbing and makes your cleaning products more accessible.

Shoutout to Lazy Susans

Cabinet design by Neat Method New Hampshire utilizes vertical dividers at the top for all those oversized sheets, pans, and tins. Below, a couple of Lazy Susans organize groupings of condiments. (Photo: Houzz)

The other great thing about this space? Lighting. Notice how the light placement inside the cabinet makes it easier to see/find stuff, and looks good doing it.

Pegboard Power

Custom-made pegboard in a “very small Cambridge condo kitchen” opens up a lot of storage and organization directly on the wall. Design by Eric Wilson - Renovation & Remodeling LLC. (Photo: Houzz)

Let’s hear it for pegboard, which is a functional powerhouse. This well-designed version is great because it can support larger shelves, but you could also do something fun with products like this from Etsy.

Lots to See Here

The custom surround on the left by Wood & Wire frames the refrigerator so that it visually looks like it’s built in. Love the wine storage and lighted cubbies, too. (Photo: Houzz)

Nothing in this kitchen is wasted. For example, the refrigerator’s wood surround is also a wine rack and upper storage. Take a look at the designer’s other kitchens; their artistic use of lighting is really fabulous.

Groovin’ on Junk Drawers

Aren’t junk drawers supposed to be messy? Not these. They’re designed by One to One Studio specifically for the items a typical junk drawer holds. (Photo: Houzz)

The top organizer comes out to reveal the deeper drawer below. On the left is a handy built-in file drawer with metal rail inserts. Note the cabinetry’s gorgeous dovetail joinery … maybe they still do make ‘em like that.