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Hidden Details of a Designer: Kitchen Storage Edition

There’s a lot to love about designing, down to the brainstorming of topics like kitchen storage. Having designed kitchens and residential projects for over twenty-five years, you would think that things could get boring–but in the field of design, the truth is quite the opposite. There is always something new trending in the design industry. If that weren’t enough, each kitchen or bathroom space I design is unique. From room size to shape, feeling creative is never an issue.

Of course, one of the most enjoyable things about design is the creativity that most people don’t see. It’s the little hidden gems, especially in a kitchen, that makes a huge difference for homeowners–but won’t call attention to friends or family. While designers turn to a variety of hidden details in an effort to give each home that special touch, today’s hidden details edition is all about kitchen storage. Below are seven kitchen storage concepts that clients love–and you will too.

Utensil Tray

Almost every client I speak with is familiar with a silverware tray–but did you know that trays are made for our utensils, too? From soup spoons to really large knives, I try to put at least two of these trays into every kitchen with one being placed near the range and the other on or near the kitchen island.

utensil drawer with dividers
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Waste and Recycling

Whether you want to curtail the family pet from digging through the trash or you just feel a trashcan in the middle of your kitchen is unsightly, I have a hidden storage solution for you. Make room inside your cabinets for double waste cans. Leave open storage behind the cans and place a paper towel holder in the drawer above for additional hidden gems–and less on your countertops.

recycling and trash pull out with paper towels
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Spice Storage

In the past, our mothers and grandmothers used spice racks that hung on walls. These days, spice racks on our walls are out of style–even though spices are still a necessity in any kitchen. A spice storage drawer is an easy, inexpensive solution for storing and organizing spices in both large and small kitchens.

spice drawer
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Under the Sink Storage

Stop getting down on your hands and knees to dig around for the dish detergent. Maximize storage (and ease up on your back) with drawer slides beneath your sink that can store all of your kitchen cleaning products.

under the sink storage with cleaners
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Pots and Pans Drawer

Pots and Pans Drawer

Do a lot of cooking in your kitchen? Chances are you have quite a few pots and pans. Divide up your drawer with moveable dividers and keep your pots, pans, and their corresponding lids separate. I highly recommend placing this drawer under your range top or close to your oven.

drawer with pots and pans
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Dish Drawer

Eliminate the need for more wall cabinet space. Pegged dish drawers are growing in popularity because they allow easier access for kids who are learning to set the table and are a great way to keep different dish sets separate.

drawer with dishes
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Corner Cabinet Storage

Sometimes, our kitchen drawers go deeper than we can reach. That’s when it’s helpful to have a storage rack that promotes easy access to any food, dishes, or bakeware we keep there. For blind corners, the Hafele Magic Corner II is the perfect addition.

corner cabinet pull out storage
Photo credit: Studio Dearborn

Kitchen storage space is essential. We spend so much time in our kitchens preparing food, feeding the masses, and cleaning up. It only makes sense that our kitchens today are functional and filled with delightful storage surprises. While the above list is by no means exhaustive, it does go into some of my favorite “of the moment” storage solutions.