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Kitchen Renovation Storage ideas

March 31, 2014

Kitchen Storage

Any kitchen renovation needs to consider the storage, both now and in the future. When planning any renovation you need to consider the size of your family both today and in the future, what your requirements are, how you will cook and how much you will entertain. It is a never ending story.

Such are the advancements with cabinet hardware you will be surprised at how much space you can maximise.

Determine Your Kitchen’s Functions

Take advantage of every inch by working as much detail as possible into your kitchen plan from the beginning.

Deciding a cabinet's function depends on its proximity to other appliances and its size — once you've decided where major plumbing fixtures and appliances will go and know exactly how much space you have, you can determine which cabinet should hold dishes and which should hold wine.

Silverware drawers make for easy clean up when they're near the sink and dishwasher.

Spices set in a drawer close to the cooktop can make cooking easier.

Keep everyday items near the sink or prep area, where you'll be using them the most. Items used less frequently can be placed farther from the main work triangle.

Use handy cabinet organizers and inserts to make the purpose of each drawer and cabinet clear. Trash pullouts, sponge trays and silverware organizers can be very helpful.

At the same time, keep in mind that you can mix and match items in cabinets and drawers too — there's no strict rule on dividing things up.

Cabinet or Drawer?

Although cabinets often cost less than drawers, architects all agree that deep and wide drawers tend to be more useful. They allow you to use the entire depth of a space and are easier to use.

As a rule of thumb, we always find drawers more comfortable to use than lower shelving behind doors.

Deciding whether to use a cabinet or drawer in undercounter kitchen storage is often determined by the available width. If space allows, use a wide and deep drawer. But in smaller spaces, a cabinet can work better. Don't forget to use narrow banks of drawers too — they can be great for nice silverware and table linens.

Maximizing Storage and Space

While eliminating storage — particularly upper cabinets — tends to be the best way to visually open a kitchen, it's still possible to get the storage you need and the open feel you want. In general, maximizing storage can often make a kitchen feel more open because there will be less countertop clutter.

One suggestion is to devote one wall entirely to full-height storage, opening up space for a counter and getting rid of the need for upper cabinetry throughout.

Playing with drawer and counter heights can add more storage space too. Make use of the leftover space beside deep refrigerators by deepening upper cabinets and counters, and taking cabinets all the way to the ceiling.

Keep your countertop, island and cabinetry lined up and simple in design.

Linear alignments will make the room feel longer, as there are fewer visual interruptions to catch the eye.

When you visit your kitchen manufacturer they should be able to guide you on the new drawers and runners that you can get. That way you will really be upgrading your kitchen to save you time in the long run.

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