7 Design Ideas to Ace Your Kitchen Island Storage
Maximise storage in and behind your kitchen island with doors, drawers and shelves
Part of being an interior designer is always looking for new ideas. That’s why we attend a lot of design shows in search of the next best thing. Recently I began noticing countless clever ways designers are creating storage on the back of kitchen islands, rather than letting that space go to waste. Here are seven ideas to consider to get the most out of your island.
For this reason, it often makes sense on an island deeper than 60 centimetres to construct it out of shallower cabinets placed back to back. For example, a 105-centimetre-deep island is often made out of a row of 60-centimetre-deep cabinets on the working side and 35-centimetre-deep cabinets (the depth of standard upper wall-hung cabinets) on the back side, plus a few centimetres of benchtop overhang.
With this arrangement, the cabinets on the working side of the island can be used to hold larger and more frequently used items such as pots and pans. The back side can be used to store smaller items, often pieces used less frequently or crockery that’s not used in cooking, such as glassware.
Need to call on the help of an expert to finalise your kitchen layout? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz for customised advice
With this arrangement, the cabinets on the working side of the island can be used to hold larger and more frequently used items such as pots and pans. The back side can be used to store smaller items, often pieces used less frequently or crockery that’s not used in cooking, such as glassware.
Need to call on the help of an expert to finalise your kitchen layout? Find a specialised kitchen designer near you on Houzz for customised advice
2. Door cabinets with stools
Another smart option is to use either an extra-deep island or shallower cabinets on both sides to allow space for stools to tuck in, balancing storage with seating.
To go back to our example of a standard 105-centimetre-deep island, if you construct it out of two rows of 35-centimetre-deep cabinets instead (placed back-to-back to offer storage on both sides), this gives 70 centimetres of storage and leaves 35 centimetres of overhang, which provides enough leg room to tuck in and perch on dining stools.
Another smart option is to use either an extra-deep island or shallower cabinets on both sides to allow space for stools to tuck in, balancing storage with seating.
To go back to our example of a standard 105-centimetre-deep island, if you construct it out of two rows of 35-centimetre-deep cabinets instead (placed back-to-back to offer storage on both sides), this gives 70 centimetres of storage and leaves 35 centimetres of overhang, which provides enough leg room to tuck in and perch on dining stools.
The trade-off here is that the doors will be less easy to access quickly when blocked by stools.
Whether having to move the seating to reach certain items is a significant inconvenience or not is mostly a matter of preference and what items you would store in this area.
For items that aren’t used often – such as seasonal Christmas platters – this can be perfect. They will be easy to find in the shallow cabinet the rare times they are needed, rather than being lost in the back of a deep cabinet.
Whether having to move the seating to reach certain items is a significant inconvenience or not is mostly a matter of preference and what items you would store in this area.
For items that aren’t used often – such as seasonal Christmas platters – this can be perfect. They will be easy to find in the shallow cabinet the rare times they are needed, rather than being lost in the back of a deep cabinet.
Keep in mind when mixing cabinets with seating that there won’t be just stools tucked up against the doors, but people too. You’ll want to be sure to consider your choice of cabinet hardware and the placement of knobs or pulls to minimise bumped knees. Small rounded knobs placed high up or integrated routed handles that don’t protrude will prevent discomfort.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Kitchens Without Handles
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Kitchens Without Handles
Another option is to place cabinet knobs or handles lower than normal (about halfway up the cupboards) so they rest below knee height and above kicking feet.
You’ll also want to make sure you choose a cabinet finish that can handle being gently kicked or scuffed from time to time. Quality, washable paints in a finish with some sheen will hold up well, and a dark colour can’t hurt.
You’ll also want to make sure you choose a cabinet finish that can handle being gently kicked or scuffed from time to time. Quality, washable paints in a finish with some sheen will hold up well, and a dark colour can’t hurt.
3. Half doors, half seating
Some islands don’t have enough depth to include two-sided storage cabinets with seating in front like the past few examples do. Also, in many open-layout kitchens, it isn’t really necessary to include a large number of seats at the island when a larger dining area is available just steps away.
Some islands don’t have enough depth to include two-sided storage cabinets with seating in front like the past few examples do. Also, in many open-layout kitchens, it isn’t really necessary to include a large number of seats at the island when a larger dining area is available just steps away.
In either of these cases, consider getting the best of both worlds by putting seating and deep cabinets next to each other.
This kitchen (the same one as the previous image) has just enough seats for a small group to gather around and chat with the chef, while the rest of the island is devoted to easily accessed storage.
Pro Panel: 10 Kitchen-Layout Blunders and How to Avoid Them
This kitchen (the same one as the previous image) has just enough seats for a small group to gather around and chat with the chef, while the rest of the island is devoted to easily accessed storage.
Pro Panel: 10 Kitchen-Layout Blunders and How to Avoid Them
In this example, the seating is tucked between storage cabinets at each end. This offers the benchtop lots of sturdy support and gives a tidier look from the side with the stools more fully tucked away. Just be sure in this case to give each stool a bit of breathing room (about 60 centimetres of width per seat) so people have space to tuck their legs in as well.
4. Glass doors
One of the standout features I noticed at a recent design show was the many styles of sleek glass doors being used on lower cabinets, rather than on upper cabinets where they might be expected.
A long stretch of glass doors like this gives an island the look of a furniture-like display case, as if from a jewellery store or gallery.
One of the standout features I noticed at a recent design show was the many styles of sleek glass doors being used on lower cabinets, rather than on upper cabinets where they might be expected.
A long stretch of glass doors like this gives an island the look of a furniture-like display case, as if from a jewellery store or gallery.
Using just one or two glass doors toward one end of the island also gives a feeling of openness and lightness, and it breaks up a bold colour choice, such as this rich purple, to give a sense of balance.
It’s perfectly suited to cabinets that store attractive glassware, serving dishes or display pieces, especially as it allows guests a peek inside so they know exactly which cabinet to open.
It’s perfectly suited to cabinets that store attractive glassware, serving dishes or display pieces, especially as it allows guests a peek inside so they know exactly which cabinet to open.
5. Drawers
Sometimes when people design a kitchen, they underestimate the importance and usefulness of drawers. Too many kitchens have just one three-drawer cabinet, which usually becomes one drawer for cutlery, one for cooking utensils and one ‘junk drawer’ for clutter.
Fans of organising know that drawers are an important tool for having a place for everything. So why not use drawers on the back of your kitchen island? Even in a smaller island, shallow and slim drawers are very useful, giving small tools and cooking ingredients such as spices the perfect-sized home.
Cupboards or Drawers: Which Work Best in the Kitchen?
Sometimes when people design a kitchen, they underestimate the importance and usefulness of drawers. Too many kitchens have just one three-drawer cabinet, which usually becomes one drawer for cutlery, one for cooking utensils and one ‘junk drawer’ for clutter.
Fans of organising know that drawers are an important tool for having a place for everything. So why not use drawers on the back of your kitchen island? Even in a smaller island, shallow and slim drawers are very useful, giving small tools and cooking ingredients such as spices the perfect-sized home.
Cupboards or Drawers: Which Work Best in the Kitchen?
If you prefer a streamlined modern look and don’t want the back of your island to become a clutter of individual drawer pulls, integrated handles are the way to go. This island looks almost seamless at first glance, and it’s only when you need to pull open a drawer to grab a bowl or appliance that you’ll even notice the grooves are there.
Tip: Handles like these let you easily pull open a drawer with one hand, which is a big help when cooking.
Tip: Handles like these let you easily pull open a drawer with one hand, which is a big help when cooking.
Drawers will be more of an investment than basic door cabinets with shelves inside, but the convenience of items extending towards you rather than you bending over and digging through a cabinet pays dividends.
This is especially true when using storage behind stools. Pulling out drawers is much easier than having to crouch down to reach into the deep corner, so it’s the optimal solution here.
Just keep in mind that if your benchtop has an overhang, drawers will only work when positioned close to the floor.
This is especially true when using storage behind stools. Pulling out drawers is much easier than having to crouch down to reach into the deep corner, so it’s the optimal solution here.
Just keep in mind that if your benchtop has an overhang, drawers will only work when positioned close to the floor.
6. Open shelves
Of course, we can’t forget about possibly the simplest form of storage you can have on the back of your island: open shelving. To those who oppose any form of clutter, this option might look too busy. But for others, it’s a great way to give a kitchen some personality.
Of course, we can’t forget about possibly the simplest form of storage you can have on the back of your island: open shelving. To those who oppose any form of clutter, this option might look too busy. But for others, it’s a great way to give a kitchen some personality.
Open shelves give you a place to stash items you may want to grab easily, without any doors in the way that need to be swung open, which makes them a perfect option for tighter kitchens or busy spaces with multiple chefs.
Tip: Open shelves can be shallow, deep or can even continue the entire way from one side of your kitchen island to the other.
Tip: Open shelves can be shallow, deep or can even continue the entire way from one side of your kitchen island to the other.
When mixing shelving with seating, you’ll appreciate not having to open a door to grab a cookbook or saucepan. At the same time, you’ll want to be sure not to display anything too delicate that could end up falling victim to a stray swipe from a foot. Cookbooks are usually tough enough for this task, so for those who still love to read a recipe from a printed page, this is a great option.
Ultimately, open shelving is not an all-or-nothing proposition. Mixing a few drawer or door cabinets with some open shelving cabinets lets you display just the pieces you wish to see, and stash away items you want to keep out of sight. A combination like this gives a lot of design appeal, creating a sense of personality even before you fill the shelves.
7. Rethinking the back of the island
Before looking for solutions for the back of your island, it can be worth rethinking what the ‘back’ of your island really is. With open layouts being popular, more and more often kitchens have multiple work zones. If you usually have more than one chef in the kitchen, it may be worth thinking of both sides of the island as equally important work stations.
Before looking for solutions for the back of your island, it can be worth rethinking what the ‘back’ of your island really is. With open layouts being popular, more and more often kitchens have multiple work zones. If you usually have more than one chef in the kitchen, it may be worth thinking of both sides of the island as equally important work stations.
Giving both sides of the island essentials such as a sink, storage for task-specific tools (think peelers, graters or cutting boards), or even appliances including a microwave or dishwasher can help divide up work zones for smart functionality.
For example, in this kitchen, one person could prepare themselves an afternoon snack while someone else is working on dinner, all without crossing paths.
For example, in this kitchen, one person could prepare themselves an afternoon snack while someone else is working on dinner, all without crossing paths.
So go ahead and think outside the typical cabinetry box. You just might realise that the back of your kitchen island can do a whole lot more than you ever expected.
Your turn
How have you maximised kitchen storage in your island bench unit? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and save the images. Go on, join the conversation.
More
Need to read up on more kitchen storage design? Don’t miss The Best Places to Locate Open Shelves in Your Kitchen
Your turn
How have you maximised kitchen storage in your island bench unit? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and save the images. Go on, join the conversation.
More
Need to read up on more kitchen storage design? Don’t miss The Best Places to Locate Open Shelves in Your Kitchen
Whether or not it’s practical to have cabinets accessible from both sides of your island will depend somewhat on your kitchen layout, but especially on the depth of the island itself. Typical base cabinets sitting against the wall are 60 centimetres deep. When cabinets are deeper than this, the back becomes very hard to reach and items become inconvenient to access.