When designers talk about storage wants with their purchasers, there’s often a reference made to discovering a spot for the whole lot so counter tops may be clear. Meaning no toasters, no coffeemakers, no blenders…no something.
Nevertheless, merely shoving these gadgets behind closed doorways or transferring them to the basement or storage isn’t essentially an answer, since they’re prone to hardly ever be used, or seemingly misplaced perpetually.
As a substitute, designers are far more considerate about discovering higher methods to retailer kitchen gadgets used day by day, in addition to these introduced out for particular events. Moreover, storage needn’t be completely utilitarian, as many storage options can improve the great thing about the area.
This month, Kitchen & Tub Design Information requested designers to share ideas and tasks that spotlight higher methods to clear the counter.
Creating Confidence
Within the 20 years that Heather Cleveland has been designing kitchens, she has discovered some purchasers aren’t at all times as assured of their kitchens as they may very well be, or want to be. Oftentimes, she signifies their hesitation is said to insufficient storage.
“Individuals really feel like they need to cook dinner extra, they usually wish to cook dinner extra,” says the proprietor/principal designer of Heather Cleveland Design Studio in Alameda, CA. “However they’re intimidated by cooking and by their cluttered kitchens, which have turn into touchdown locations for a lot stuff…books, mail, youngsters’ artwork tasks, equipment they don’t want or use, and so on. All of it must be cleared earlier than they’ll begin dinner, they usually typically find yourself calling DoorDash as an alternative.”
To remove this state of affairs from occurring in her purchasers’ kitchens, Cleveland focuses on storage options that strike a steadiness between concealment and accessibility, i.e., gadgets must have a house, however in addition they should be simple to place away and simple to entry.
“We don’t need purchasers retaining gadgets they use day by day on their counters,” she says. “Meaning discovering a spot to retailer them that’s handy. It’s about discovering one of the best of each worlds…counters are freed from litter, however individuals aren’t going to their storage to get the blender.”
As an example, not way back, Cleveland met with a consumer who likes to bake together with her younger youngsters. Nevertheless, she didn’t do it as a lot as she had hoped as a result of her stand mixer was heavy and hulking, so the designer proposed finding the equipment in a base cupboard with a hydraulic raise.
“We eradicated the roadblock and offered her with an answer the place she doesn’t should ever raise her mixer,” she says.
For different purchasers, normal storage was a priority. And since the householders are avid cooks who like to entertain, they’ve a number of extras resembling cookbooks, desk linens and napkins.
“We doubled the dimensions of the brand new kitchen by eliminating a wall, which housed their fridge and pantry,” she says. “However we couldn’t simply transfer these gadgets to the wall parallel to it as a result of that was the entrance of their home, and it featured an enormous window. That meant we needed to be very considerate about storage so there wouldn’t be any wasted area.”
To accommodate desk linens and napkins, the designer included a built-in bench, which additionally doubles as seating for visitors. Cookbooks are saved on open cabinets subsequent to the double ovens and in a base cupboard alongside the perimeter of the kitchen. The latter, due to a essential help submit, may have in any other case been wasted area.
“We took an issue and made it a design function, whereas additionally gaining storage from one thing that would have been an eyesore,” she explains.
The outsized 12′-long island serves as a storage workhorse, with an array of organizational pullouts and an electronics’ charging drawer lined with felt, which is a ‘must-have’ for all of Cleveland’s designs.
“It’s prettier than having electronics charging on a countertop,” she says. “Tablets and telephones are out of the way in which, simple to seek out they usually don’t visually mar a ravishing kitchen.”
Glass-front higher cupboards make the kitchen visually lighter, which was vital given the soffit that was essential to accommodate air flow. In addition they give the consumer a spot to retailer colourful glasses and gadgets introduced residence from travels.
Images: Jim Stone Images
Balancing operate and aesthetics
When addressing storage in a kitchen renovation or new building mission, Montana Shrader, CID, M. Elliott Studio in Wimberley, TX, considers it from a useful in addition to aesthetic facet.
“A superb kitchen ought to have each,” she says. “Functionally, it’s about discovering a spot in your issues. For instance, does a consumer have a pantry? Have they got a number of home equipment? I discover that almost all purchasers don’t essentially take into consideration the place they’re retaining issues till we renovate. Then they understand that the whole lot can have a spot.
“We additionally wish to take into account ornamental parts,” she continues. “Individuals wish to see sure gadgets on show. In a single latest renovation, our consumer had a number of pitchers handed down from her mom, so we displayed them in a means that she sees them when she walks into her kitchen.”
For one more latest renovation of a galley kitchen that lacked the customary storage-laden island, Shrader addressed useful storage through deeper-than-standard base cabinetry and a tall pantry for dry items.
“Growing the depth of the bottom cupboards to 30″ offers my consumer much more storage,” she explains. “Including pullouts, which we desire over cabinets, or together with drawers means gadgets gained’t get misplaced within the again.”
Since there wasn’t area for a walk-in pantry, Shrader included a tall cupboard, finding it subsequent to the fridge.
“From an effectivity standpoint, it is smart to place the fridge and pantry subsequent to one another,” she says. “From an aesthetics standpoint, it additionally retains the larger-mass gadgets in the direction of the again of the kitchen, which retains the remainder of the area open.”
With regard to visually interesting storage, Shrader specified customized blackened metal cabinets and a glass-front cupboard.
“The metal cabinets have been a option to accommodate – and showcase – show gadgets,” she says, noting her consumer’s love of salt and pepper shakers in addition to massive bowls and cast-iron cookware. “In addition they present storage from a less-traditional standpoint of higher cupboards with two or three cabinets. Stretching them the size of the wall turns storage into an architectural function and provides a up to date contact that grounds the area.
“We’re additionally situated within the [Texas] Hill Nation, which is understood for metal, cedar and a number of stone,” she continues. “Our purchasers have been prepared to be pushed by design, and the metal cabinets – in addition to the burgundy-colored cabinetry offset towards the sunshine teal ceramic tiles – add curiosity to the design.”
Together with glass in one of many higher cupboards is one other means that Shrader highlights ornamental gadgets. With the ability to see what’s inside additionally encourages visitors to be extra self-sufficient.
“From the lounge you may see by means of the metal cabinets and into the kitchen the place the glass-front cupboard turns into a function factor,” she explains. “I additionally really feel that, whenever you put issues behind glass, you invite visitors to assist themselves to issues like cups and mugs. Additionally, the glass breaks up the monotony of stable higher cupboards in every single place.”
Smarter options
Jessica Davis, principal designer of JL Design in Nashville, TN, remembers watching the tv present “Designing Ladies” in her youth. On the time, her impression of the characters was that they have been merely decorators. As time handed and different reveals – and particularly the HGTV community – have been launched, she, in addition to most people, gained a higher realization that design was one thing far more.
“Years in the past, the extent of information about design didn’t transcend the native ironmongery shop or a house owner’s builder,” she signifies. “Individuals didn’t perceive its worth. However now they’re seeing what others are doing. They’re realizing that inside design and area planning is a ‘factor,’ and there’s a growth of curiosity, understanding and data round smarter options.”
One vital smarter resolution is said to storage and the function it performs in not solely performance, but in addition aesthetics.
“Kitchens look so significantly better when the counters aren’t fully coated,” she says. “We’re working with a consumer proper now who, admittedly, has a very small kitchen, which makes storage significantly difficult. But it surely’s our job to assist overcome these challenges, and to clear their counters of their toaster, blender, coffeemaker, knife block…and even cereal containers.”
Considered one of Davis’ go-to storage options in any kitchen is drawers, and many them.
“Drawers are enormous…all people desires them,” she says. “They make a lot sense as a result of they’re so useful they usually preserve the whole lot organized.”
When outfitted with equipment, performance is improved much more. Think about, for example, inserts that stack spices to allow them to be readily recognized and accessed, and organizers with slots that match knives completely.
“Individuals desire a particular place for the whole lot,” she says.
Drawers have been the cupboard of alternative in a latest new building mission the place practically each base cupboard was a financial institution of drawers. These within the outsized island are of explicit significance to the household as a result of they’ve younger kids who can self-serve sure gadgets.
“They retailer cups, bowls and plates within the island drawers so their youngsters can simply entry them,” she explains.
This kitchen additionally has an abundance of glass-front cupboards in addition to higher cupboards that stretch to the ceiling. Each are often-requested design preferences that purchasers might initially select due to aesthetics, however finally respect due to the additional storage they supply.
“I don’t essentially see it as a pattern as a result of I don’t see that request going away anytime quickly,” she says. “It’s a plus for storage since you’re gaining area. Together with this ‘pattern’ is the introduction of glass on the prime [level], which serves as ornamental storage. Nevertheless, even past this space, we’re seeing extra glass. It’s very uncommon that I might design a kitchen with out glass-front cupboards someplace.”
The final word in storage options is a working pantry, typically referred to in Davis’ space as a scullery or soiled kitchen. “We seldom design a brand new building kitchen with out a working pantry,” she says. “On the very least, it is going to have a prep sink and a few sort of refrigeration, both a small fridge or a beverage cooler. We’ll additionally embrace further storage for pantry items in addition to small home equipment and dishes that aren’t used as a lot.”
Photograph: Anastasia Alkema
Storage reinvented
Sq. footage of a kitchen doesn’t essentially dictate what storage facilities Meka B. Jones contains within the area.
“Whether or not a kitchen is tiny or massive, the way in which during which we retailer issues doesn’t essentially change,” says the NCIDQ/inside designer with Copper Sky Design + Rework in Atlanta, GA.
For her, it’s about benefiting from each sq. inch. Usually, which means large, deep drawers for pots and pans; rollouts behind doorways; trash pullouts; blind nook pullouts; vertical tray storage, and specialised equipment for cutlery, knives and spices. She additionally loves the reinvention of yesteryear’s pantries and equipment garages.
“Now we have come full circle with pantry storage,” she says. “Way back, butler’s pantries have been a well-liked option to conceal the ugly stuff. There was a shift within the mid ‘90s, with massive McMansion properties and tiny closet-style pantries. Now we’re revisiting the idea of the big, walk-in pantry. Generally it’s only a pantry, however different instances it’s a backup kitchen with a fridge and dishwasher, along with storage. I’ve been seeing increasingly purchasers ask for a bigger pantry, typically on the expense of their kitchen.”
Jones credit this pantry reimagination to present habits of her purchasers who have a tendency to purchase in bulk and want a spot to retailer the surplus.
Equipment garages are being reimagined, too. Fairly than the nook cupboard with a tambour door, Jones creates hers from tall cabinetry that usually begins with a three-drawer base cupboard or a cupboard with rollout cabinets. Home equipment are saved at counter top with adjustable cabinets above. Together with an outlet implies that, in idea, somebody can use the equipment with out ever transferring it.
Perhaps extra importantly, it retains counters freed from litter in areas which can be nonetheless trending in the direction of open-concept rooms, i.e., rooms with few, if any, wall cupboards for storage.
“We nonetheless see individuals eager to open up the partitions,” she says. “That isn’t at all times attainable since typically we do want wall cupboards. It’s a fragile steadiness between open and ethereal and having a spot for the whole lot.”
Jones’ storage-creating capabilities have been put to the check within the latest renovation of a small, galley-style kitchen.
“I see large kitchens on a regular basis,” she says. “However with this kitchen, I used to be challenged to maximise storage, whereas additionally making the area fairly.”
Since she needed to work inside basically the identical measurement footprint, she appeared up and included cabinetry that reaches the ceiling. These above the window are sheathed in white to loosen up the darkish inexperienced cabinetry and mix into the wall, basically permitting them to vanish.
To entry the higher degree, Jones included a library ladder that runs repeatedly across the room. Together with a ‘parking spot’ at one finish means it could possibly stand straight up when wanted.
“In larger kitchens, upper-level storage is usually ornamental or for gadgets that individuals don’t use typically,” she says. “On this kitchen, we wanted each sq. inch to be totally accessible.”
Lots of the bells and whistles present in bigger kitchens are additionally included right here, resembling spice, utensil and cutlery storage; vertical tray storage, and blind nook pullouts. She additionally added a recessed paper towel holder subsequent to the sink. A disguised broom closet retains cleansing provides shut by. Even the reinvented equipment storage and pantry make an look, with the latter being represented by tall pantry- model cabinetry. Extra distinctive storage may be discovered above the vary, which is discreetly hidden with the air flow hood. Each are tucked behind the encompass and accessed through touch-latch {hardware}.
Images: Emily Glenn; EPG Designs
Helpful and environment friendly storage
Jason Riemer, proprietor of Riemer Kitchens in Harrison, NY, works with a wide range of purchasers who all have totally different storage wants. Some are younger, first-time homebuyers who haven’t amassed a lot and are transferring out of residences in New York Metropolis. Others are long-time householders who must discover a place for household heirlooms and could also be renovating their kitchens for the second or third time.
“Every has a distinct vibe,” he says. “Nevertheless, throughout the board we’re seeing a transfer in the direction of a extra modern really feel within the kitchen. Surfaces are clear, and there isn’t something on the countertop. Hiding issues has turn into a precedence, and discovering artistic methods to try this is an attention-grabbing a part of the job.”
Gadgets resembling knife blocks and cooking utensil crocks are a factor of the previous. Even chopping boards now not have a house on the countertop. And though small home equipment would possibly stay, they’re behind the closed doorways of an equipment storage. As a substitute, drawers, doorways with rollout cabinets and pullout pantries have turn into the norm.
“We guarantee there’s ample drawer storage with organizational equipment so knives and utensils can go into them comfortably,” he says. “Even in smaller kitchens, the place we’d wish to preserve an open really feel with out a number of wall cupboards, plates and bowls may be saved in drawers with peg techniques so gadgets don’t shift round. We’re additionally doing much more vertical storage in base cupboards and above fridges and tall cabinetry for cookie sheets, platters and chopping boards that may simply be reached by simply grabbing a nook.”
Lots of these storage options may be present in a latest kitchen renovation the place, though Riemer took down a wall to create a bigger area, the designer nonetheless centered on creating helpful and environment friendly storage.
As an example, the big island has an abundance of storage, together with a four-drawer stack of cupboards that shops, amongst different gadgets, placemats and napkins that may be readily accessed by individuals seated close by. Riemer additionally included storage beneath the countertop overhang, which he signifies is good for much less steadily used gadgets.
Alongside the perimeter, he designed an deliberately ornamental bar/espresso station with a number of glass-front wall cupboards above a petite countertop that’s flanked by tall pantry cupboards with rollout cabinets. Straight reverse, Riemer included a number of deep, broad drawers that flank the vary. The highest drawer is split, with one half storing spices, the opposite half cooking utensils.
The fridge wall additionally options storage designed to function a mini workplace. Even the household canines have been thought of, with meals storage and a spot for bowls deliberate out.
“Pets are at all times one thing we ask about…proper after kids!” he says. ▪
