Optimizing Organization

THE DESIGNERY

Casey Ridley

Dealing with storage challenges is a common problem for many homeowners. Luckily, there are various cabinet storage solutions available to optimize organization in the kitchen. We recommend cutlery organizers and knife block inserts for efficient utensil storage, lazy Susans to effectively utilize corner spaces, and spice racks and discreet trash can pullouts to maintain order effortlessly. Moreover, heavy-duty lifts and pull-out shelves elegantly manage bulkier appliances, freeing up precious countertop space while keeping them accessible. Additionally, implementing tactics such as regularly decluttering unused items, maximizing vertical space with shelves or hooks, and utilizing multi-functional storage containers can further enhance organization. By combining these solutions, homeowners can declutter their kitchens and streamline their routines.

CROSS CABINETS

Nancy Hetem

Most people that are building new homes or renovating current spaces want their countertops to be clean and free of appliances and decorative items. There are so many new items out that address this need. Tuck-back doors are being used to hide coffee stations, microwaves, and general small appliances. When they are finished using said appliance, they just close the doors for a clean look! Specialty pull-out cabinets next to the stove have been gaining popularity for a while now. We see utensil storage, baking storage, and even knife storage combined with oils and spices. Drawers are more popular now over doors in base cabinets for easy access. They hold an endless amount of storage ideas using dividers and inserts. Drawers are a great place to organize plastic containers, water bottles, pots and pans, cutting boards, knives, cutlery, dishes, K-Cups, snacks, spices, and even a charging station for all your devices! Another trend is very large pantries off of the kitchen that hold pantry items, small appliances, cleaning supplies, and bulk items such as paper goods. They have countertops and sometimes sinks. Often, the door looks like the cabinets so it is a hidden or secret door that mimics the look of the overall kitchen.

HITSON Cabinets and Millworks

Abbey Paine

The kitchen is the heart of the home; it serves as a gathering place during an event and holds space for both memories of the past and yet to come. This is true no matter the size of the space, but small details make the biggest difference! With custom cabinetry, style meets functionality – we recommend using technology to your advantage and incorporating the use of pullouts for the trash, spices, or trays into your design to keep things out of sight, off the counter, and out of the walkways. Taking your cabinetry to the ceiling is one of my favorite space-saving strategies. It allows you to store rarely used or seasonal items while keeping everyday essentials within easy reach and eliminates the awkward gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. An added benefit of this style is the seamless and high-end look it gives your space.

ANA WOODWORKS

Carol MacKinnon

As a kitchen designer, one of the main design aspects I focus on is “having all items in a place.” I encourage my customers to go through their items and discard or give away items they don’t use, freeing up their cabinet space for needed items. I like the countertops to be free for work space, so it is important to have enough storage areas. I like to have as many drawers as possible, which are great for pots and pans, plastic items, baking items, and often dishware. I will design a charging drawer or station to limit the cords and devices. I will try to find a place for a tall storage unit that is approximately 12” to 18” deep with adjustable shelves. This storage is great for all small appliances, large bowls, and casserole dishes. I believe a kitchen is more inviting when there is a sense of balance and less clutter.

GEREN CUSTOM FURNITURE & CABINETRY 

Brad Geren

The first step that we recommend to homeowners when it comes to optimizing the organization of a kitchen is to frequently and thoroughly clean out any items you are no longer using or have a need for. Next is the use of dead space. It is essential to keeping any kitchen, big or small, functional for daily use. We have options to transform the toe kick into either a shallow drawer or a small step ladder for those hard-to-reach upper cabinets. When it comes to optimizing drawers, we recommend the use of drawer slides that fully extend to allow for full use and accessibility. We do customized drawers for storing your spices so you can see them and drawer dividers for cutlery, larger cooking utensils, and plates which helps with organization for sure. Lastly, with a beautiful and functional kitchen we recommend the use of pull-out trash cans. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they provide easy access and make a great option for those lower base cabinets.

CLASSIC CABINETRY

Kris Keith

Efficient kitchen organization starts with storing the most frequently used items within arms’ reach. Store plates and glasses on the lowest shelves for easy access and also near the dishwasher for speedy unloading. Store cooking utensils, silverware, foil, and plastic wrap in top drawers, local to where they will be used most. Reduce clutter by clearing countertops of small appliances and stowing them in larder cabinets, utility cabinets, or walk-in pantries. Additionally, accessorize drawers with inserts and dividers for spices, knives, utensils, and cutlery. Accessorize base cabinets with lots of drawers or roll-out trays for convenience, dividers for trays, pullouts for oils and canisters, lift-ups for mixers, and pegs for pots and pans or bakeware. Accessorizing cabinets ensures everything has a designated home. Everyone uses their kitchen differently, so organize this space the way you want your kitchen to work for you.

SCARLETT’S CABINETRY 

Jackie Howard

There are a few solutions to attaining an organized, clutter-free kitchen based on the size of the space. If you are building a new home and have the space to plan for a scullery or prep kitchen behind your main kitchen, this will allow immediate access to your small appliances, a coffee/beverage center with secondary refrigeration or freezer drawers, and even a microwave or second oven. If you are limited on space, a tall appliance garage cabinet to the countertop would be awesome to include in your kitchen design. We prefer the bottom doors to be taller – 36 to 42 inches instead of a typical 18-inch-high appliance garage – so you can truly stand in front of this taller, deeper wall cabinet and use your mixer, juicer, etc. with outlets already placed as opposed to just “parking” your appliances. You should always include dividers for wider drawers to organize cutlery, cooking utensils, bar utensils, containers, etc. to organize any size kitchen. Also, designing a kitchen with small purposeful drawers keeps small, light items in place as opposed to causing clutter in wide-set drawers without enough weight to the items being stored. Vertical tray dividers in areas above six feet high are so smart to plan to store trays, platters, cutting boards, and even shopping bags!