8 On-Trend Kitchen Storage Ideas for 2016
See some of the most popular open and closed kitchen storage ideas, inspired by this year's EuroCucina design fair in Milan
Sophie Baylis
25 May 2016
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
To reveal or to conceal? That was the question posed by the kitchen storage on display at last month’s EuroCucina, the international kitchen show that’s part of trendsetting event Milan Design Week, aka Salone del Mobile. Very often it was a case of striking a balance between the two, resulting in a smorgasbord of storage ideas that could whip even the most disorganised of kitchens into shape. Here are some of the best examples of open/closed storage combos on Houzz.
1. Suspended storage
If you’re struggling for storage space, look up. At EuroCucina, many manufacturers were using the space above island units to their advantage. By incorporating the extractor hood into an open unit, which was then suspended from the ceiling, it served as handy storage for everyday essentials, such as pots and pans.
This is not the best idea if you like to keep sightlines clear, but brilliant if you want to introduce a relaxed, informal feel to your kitchen.
Check out more kitchen storage ideas
If you’re struggling for storage space, look up. At EuroCucina, many manufacturers were using the space above island units to their advantage. By incorporating the extractor hood into an open unit, which was then suspended from the ceiling, it served as handy storage for everyday essentials, such as pots and pans.
This is not the best idea if you like to keep sightlines clear, but brilliant if you want to introduce a relaxed, informal feel to your kitchen.
Check out more kitchen storage ideas
2. Breakfast cabinets
The most important meal of the day requires serious consideration. Factoring in storage for cereals, jams, teas and coffee is tough enough, but if you don’t want the toaster and coffee maker cluttering your benchtop, then you’ll need to work them into your storage plan, too.
At EuroCucina, Toncelli’s impressive Chef de Cuisine tall unit, designed to store all of your breakfast essentials and much more besides, was just one of the desirable models on show.
This tall breakfast cabinet is another great example: what it lacks in width, it makes up for in shelves, drawers, cubbyholes and a work surface for preparing coffee and toast.
The most important meal of the day requires serious consideration. Factoring in storage for cereals, jams, teas and coffee is tough enough, but if you don’t want the toaster and coffee maker cluttering your benchtop, then you’ll need to work them into your storage plan, too.
At EuroCucina, Toncelli’s impressive Chef de Cuisine tall unit, designed to store all of your breakfast essentials and much more besides, was just one of the desirable models on show.
This tall breakfast cabinet is another great example: what it lacks in width, it makes up for in shelves, drawers, cubbyholes and a work surface for preparing coffee and toast.
3. Open shelving
Open shelves were standard fare at EuroCucina, often combined with cubbyholes to create the look of living room storage. Once again, this is a nod to the influence of open-plan living and the demand for designs that help to blur the boundaries between the kitchen and the living room. And isn’t this an excellent example?
Browse photos of open-plan kitchens
Open shelves were standard fare at EuroCucina, often combined with cubbyholes to create the look of living room storage. Once again, this is a nod to the influence of open-plan living and the demand for designs that help to blur the boundaries between the kitchen and the living room. And isn’t this an excellent example?
Browse photos of open-plan kitchens
4. Sleek, multi-functional islands
The next-generation island unit is something to behold, and there were many impressive examples at the show. As well as offering increased storage and additional workspace, the island of the future may feature small wells set flush to the benchtop that mean cooking tools can be kept close to hand, but hidden when not in use.
Taking this hidden storage trend even further, an island like this one includes a storage unit concealed below the benchtop that only reveals itself at the touch of a button. This allows easy access to small appliances without having them on show.
The next-generation island unit is something to behold, and there were many impressive examples at the show. As well as offering increased storage and additional workspace, the island of the future may feature small wells set flush to the benchtop that mean cooking tools can be kept close to hand, but hidden when not in use.
Taking this hidden storage trend even further, an island like this one includes a storage unit concealed below the benchtop that only reveals itself at the touch of a button. This allows easy access to small appliances without having them on show.
5. The hidden kitchen
The pleasures of a large, multi-functional space that serves as a kitchen, dining and living room are well documented, but what about the perils? Sitting down to dinner with friends or vegging out in front of a film is less enjoyable when the dirty pots and pans that litter the benchtops are visible.
Fortunately, there is a solution (aside from just cleaning up): the hidden kitchen. This was demonstrated at the show by Poliform and Valcucine, both of which dabbled with the idea. It’s also shown in the sleek space in this image: the nuts and bolts of the kitchen are hidden behind bi-fold doors, which means the owners don’t have to clear up until later – much, much later.
9 concealed kitchens open up
The pleasures of a large, multi-functional space that serves as a kitchen, dining and living room are well documented, but what about the perils? Sitting down to dinner with friends or vegging out in front of a film is less enjoyable when the dirty pots and pans that litter the benchtops are visible.
Fortunately, there is a solution (aside from just cleaning up): the hidden kitchen. This was demonstrated at the show by Poliform and Valcucine, both of which dabbled with the idea. It’s also shown in the sleek space in this image: the nuts and bolts of the kitchen are hidden behind bi-fold doors, which means the owners don’t have to clear up until later – much, much later.
9 concealed kitchens open up
6. Portable units
Belgian architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen worked a mobile cabinet into his VVD kitchen for Dada. Similar to the one seen here, it tucks neatly under the benchtop, ready to be rolled out when required and allowing a very flexible kitchen space. Duysen opted for slide-out drawers, partially open-fronted so the contents are visible (meaning they’d require an element of styling). If you have a lot of clutter, closed fronts are probably best.
Here, an integrated chopping board makes this cabinet a brilliant multi-purpose piece.
Belgian architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen worked a mobile cabinet into his VVD kitchen for Dada. Similar to the one seen here, it tucks neatly under the benchtop, ready to be rolled out when required and allowing a very flexible kitchen space. Duysen opted for slide-out drawers, partially open-fronted so the contents are visible (meaning they’d require an element of styling). If you have a lot of clutter, closed fronts are probably best.
Here, an integrated chopping board makes this cabinet a brilliant multi-purpose piece.
7. A new generation of glass-fronted cupboards
Open-plan living has led to the popularity of pieces that create continuity between the kitchen and the living-dining room. At EuroCucina, this translated into a plethora of freestanding cabinets for displaying everything, from tableware and glassware to dry goods. This does not mean the type of cabinets seen in cute country kitchens, but instead striking, contemporary, glass-fronted designs defined by sleek lines.
There were also plenty of examples of tall, built-in glass cabinets. Some featured clear glazing, like the glamorous example in this kitchen, while others were resplendent in smoked glass.
Open-plan living has led to the popularity of pieces that create continuity between the kitchen and the living-dining room. At EuroCucina, this translated into a plethora of freestanding cabinets for displaying everything, from tableware and glassware to dry goods. This does not mean the type of cabinets seen in cute country kitchens, but instead striking, contemporary, glass-fronted designs defined by sleek lines.
There were also plenty of examples of tall, built-in glass cabinets. Some featured clear glazing, like the glamorous example in this kitchen, while others were resplendent in smoked glass.
8. Dedicated herb planting space
It’s time to flex those green fingers, because many of the kitchen displays at EuroCucina incorporated space for growing herbs. The aforementioned wells integrated into island benchtops proved a popular choice, as pictured here, keeping fresh herbs within easy reach when cooking.
Alternatively, you could create a herb wall, using planting pockets designed to create vertical gardens, or hang repurposed jars hung from a wall-mounted board using hooks and flexible, adjustable metal pipe straps. Either way, you won’t have to dash outside to pick a sprig of rosemary in the future.
TELL US
Which of these storage ideas appeals to you the most? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Browse more contemporary-style kitchens
It’s time to flex those green fingers, because many of the kitchen displays at EuroCucina incorporated space for growing herbs. The aforementioned wells integrated into island benchtops proved a popular choice, as pictured here, keeping fresh herbs within easy reach when cooking.
Alternatively, you could create a herb wall, using planting pockets designed to create vertical gardens, or hang repurposed jars hung from a wall-mounted board using hooks and flexible, adjustable metal pipe straps. Either way, you won’t have to dash outside to pick a sprig of rosemary in the future.
TELL US
Which of these storage ideas appeals to you the most? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Browse more contemporary-style kitchens
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Our commitment here at The Kitchen Design Centre is to create kitchens for the client with all of their wishes in mind. Some people love open shelving and other products so much it is worth the extra maintenance. Our showroom attendants and designers give them the pros and cons and advice on the products so they can choose - that's the beauty of custom design! :)
We love this concealed broom storage solution, which can be fitted into cabinets as small as 138mm (internal width). All the racks are adjustable & fit around the broom so an excellent use of space. Here is a link to more pics...