One of the most asked questions, when people visit our showrooms, is ‘How can we get more kitchen storage?’ And it’s a question our designers and fitters have years of experience answering. But not everyone has a large open plan kitchen with lots of little nooks and drawers to keep our kitchens clean and tidy or the ability to speak and employ kitchen designers. If you find yourself getting frustrated that your kitchen never looks tidy, or you’re constantly having to move bits and pieces around to unlock your kitchen’s full potential, don’t despair. There are so many ways you can utilise the space you have. Below are just a few.
Use drawers instead of a pantry
Not quite as amazing as a walk-in pantry, but utilising your drawers as a pantry can work wonders if you’re looking to save space. Some drawers, especially thin, awkwardly sized ones, will make perfect places to store dry goods and spices. Popping a little label on the top of each container will help you pick the right one with ease, whilst also freeing up the countertops from spilling over with cans and jars.
If you have a taller drawer or cupboard, one next to the sink or fridge, for example, then layering this can have a dramatic effect on space. Simply slide a partition in the middle and instead of one drawer, you now have two. These can be combined with roller shelves to make finding what you’re looking for even easier. Adding a lazy Susan in if you don’t want drawers also makes a fantastic pantry and means you store a lot more produce in a lot less space. Just spin, grab and go.
Magnetic strips to hide your knives
We all need knives, but having a knife block can be bulky and if we only have a small counter space, will get in the way. Magnetic strips are cheap, easy to put up and will move your knives from the counter to the wall. This is also great if you have small children with inquisitive hands as they can be put far back from the counter’s edge, above and next to the hob where it will be all but impossible for a child-sized person to reach them.
Store your chopping boards
Hanging chopping boards from the walls will give you ample room to move around, and they won’t take up valuable workshops. Alternatively, you can add a rack to a drawer, storing them close to the edge in an upright position. This will take up very little space, giving you more room to work with. This can be done incredibly simply. Just screw or drill a long nail in the wall and hang the boards. Add some ladles and spatulas as well to give it a fresh look. But be careful, make sure that you drill well away from any plug sockets or electrical outlets.
Getting a chopping board that fits over your sink will make sure that your premium counter space is left alone. A plus of this is that most ‘over-sink’ chopping boards come with inbuilt colanders to help make prep a breeze
Utilise the wall space by hanging shelves
If you have a lot of wall space that’s not being used then why not start using it. Hang some shelves and turn it into a floating pantry. Wire baskets can be a great addition for loose items, whilst still being able to see in them, perfect for knowing when you need to stock up. It’s quick and easy to pop up shelving, just [make sure that they are strong enough to hold your wares. You don’t want to be woken up by the crashing of fruit and veg cascading across your kitchen floor.
If your kitchen is cosier than most, then installing open shelves or doorless cabinets will give the impression of more space. However, if your shelves are full, this may not be the most ideal solution as it will lead to a messy, busy feeling, so it’s really only an idea for those who are very good at putting things away promptly.
Hang your pots and pans from up high
This will work especially if you have higher ceilings than the average if you live in a Georgian property that has been turned into apartments for example. This can be done by screwing hooks into the ceiling and popping the handles onto them. Don’t worry, the ceiling is sturdier than your pans are strong, so they won’t go bang in the night. If you are worried or your ceiling is too low, then you can invest in a rail that can fit over the hob or across the window frame. By adding some picture hooks to this you have a ready-made spot for all your pots and pans.
Use the top of the fridge for extra storage
What do you use your fridge for? Food and drink, maybe a calendar or the kids drawing on the front? If your fridge isn’t integrated then the top of the fridge is a great shelf. Pop bottles or cereals or there, or even place some baskets and use them to take care of your dishcloths. Alternatively, if you are looking at redesigning the kitchen you have, but still keeping it the same size, integrated fridges can make the area look smooth and clean whilst being fantastically functional.
Tidy under the sink
It’s always so busy under the sink. Scrubbers and cloths, washing up liquid and surface cleaner. It’s hard to know where to start. One idea is to use shoe holders attached to the inside of the door to put the things you use most often like sponges, cloths and washing up liquid, or dog treats and poo bags. That leaves the rest of the cupboard for the heavy-duty cleaning products that you might not be using quite as often, meaning you save your back from having to bend down constantly.
These are just a few ideas that can be utilised to add more space to our kitchens. After all, we spend so much time cooking, eating, working and socialising in our kitchens, it’s understandable that at times they feel a little cramped. Hopefully, these ideas have helped you make the most of your space. And if you need any more advice, guidance or ideas then why not visit our kitchen showroom or call 01733 20 87 87 to speak to any of our experienced kitchen designers.