Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
They may look like standard cabinets and benchtops, but these stealthy storage spots have everyone fooled
Natasha Saroca
16 June 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career working across a number of home design and lifestyle magazines, including BuildHOME and Kitchens & Bathrooms Quarterly. She enjoys writing about design and colour trends, decorating ideas (particularly how to transform rooms with colour and patterns), organisation tips, entertaining ideas and easy updates for the home.
When she’s not creating Ideabooks for Houzz, Natasha can be found writing about all things fashion for Missy Confidential, working on her soon-to-be-launched website – www.asmartsequin.com – or shopping online for new quilt covers, cushions and fashion illustrations (her three current obsessions).
Houzz Australia Contributor. Natasha is a freelance journalist who began her career... More
Does your kitchen suffer from a chronic shortage of storage? You’re not alone. If you’re not too thrilled by the thought of culling your impressive collection of kitchenware (really, when was the last time you actually used that avocado pit remover?), it’s time to think of ways you can increase the storage capacity of your cooking zone without having a hardcore decluttering session, or compromising the look and functionality of your existing space.
What’s the key to overcoming this common problem? Smart organisation systems that make use of under-utilised areas and can be integrated into your current kitchen set-up with ease. Below we take you through 15 clever solutions that are hidden behind cabinet doors and other standard kitchen surfaces. These secret stowage spots will not only improve the storage potential of your culinary zone, but will make it appear more streamlined and stylish, too – really, they’ll change your life. Are you ready for the big reveal?
What’s the key to overcoming this common problem? Smart organisation systems that make use of under-utilised areas and can be integrated into your current kitchen set-up with ease. Below we take you through 15 clever solutions that are hidden behind cabinet doors and other standard kitchen surfaces. These secret stowage spots will not only improve the storage potential of your culinary zone, but will make it appear more streamlined and stylish, too – really, they’ll change your life. Are you ready for the big reveal?
1. Appliance cupboard
Want to get rid of the benchtop appliances taking over your workspace, but not sure where to put them? An appliance garage (designed for one or multiple gadgets) is just what you need. Install a few power points inside and you only need to slide your heavy appliances out a little way to use them, then slide them back again when finished. The cupboard can sit flush with your existing cabinetry, which means there’s no bulk, so no-one will even guess what’s going on behind those closed doors.
Want to get rid of the benchtop appliances taking over your workspace, but not sure where to put them? An appliance garage (designed for one or multiple gadgets) is just what you need. Install a few power points inside and you only need to slide your heavy appliances out a little way to use them, then slide them back again when finished. The cupboard can sit flush with your existing cabinetry, which means there’s no bulk, so no-one will even guess what’s going on behind those closed doors.
2. Under-bench storage
If you have a casual dining nook with bench seating in your kitchen area, maximise the space by adding drawers below the seats. They’ll provide a handy spot to store items that you need every once in a while but not on a day-to-day basis such as good dinner sets and servers.
If you have a casual dining nook with bench seating in your kitchen area, maximise the space by adding drawers below the seats. They’ll provide a handy spot to store items that you need every once in a while but not on a day-to-day basis such as good dinner sets and servers.
3. Upright pullout pantry
While cupboards are standard in most kitchens, sometimes they aren’t the most efficient or space-savvy storage option, particularly when the wall unit is narrow and sits far away from the wall. In these cases, a pullout system is a much better solution. The vertical design utilises every last centimetre of available space, and allows you to find and retrieve pantry items quickly and with ease. Genius.
While cupboards are standard in most kitchens, sometimes they aren’t the most efficient or space-savvy storage option, particularly when the wall unit is narrow and sits far away from the wall. In these cases, a pullout system is a much better solution. The vertical design utilises every last centimetre of available space, and allows you to find and retrieve pantry items quickly and with ease. Genius.
4. Concealed cooler
This may look like an ordinary kitchen cupboard, but all is not what it seems; it’s actually a fully integrated refrigerator. These cleverly concealed coolers are an ideal solution when you don’t want a large stainless steel or white fridge to interfere with the clean, sparse look of a minimalist-style kitchen or the old-world charm of a more traditional space. Plus, the integrated design means you can incorporate additional storage above the appliance.
This may look like an ordinary kitchen cupboard, but all is not what it seems; it’s actually a fully integrated refrigerator. These cleverly concealed coolers are an ideal solution when you don’t want a large stainless steel or white fridge to interfere with the clean, sparse look of a minimalist-style kitchen or the old-world charm of a more traditional space. Plus, the integrated design means you can incorporate additional storage above the appliance.
5. Clever counter storage
Do you have an island that doesn’t have cabinetry or drawers below the benchtop? If you like the slimline look but wish the island had more to offer than just aesthetics, search for accessories you can affix temporarily or permanently to the bench that provide extra storage but don’t add bulk. Case in point: this island, which has an in-built bread bin and utensil holders that sit just below the bench for easy access.
Do you have an island that doesn’t have cabinetry or drawers below the benchtop? If you like the slimline look but wish the island had more to offer than just aesthetics, search for accessories you can affix temporarily or permanently to the bench that provide extra storage but don’t add bulk. Case in point: this island, which has an in-built bread bin and utensil holders that sit just below the bench for easy access.
6. Private pantry
Planning on renovating your kitchen? Consider incorporating a walk-in pantry that’s tucked away behind a cupboard or sliding door into the design. If you like to entertain and have enough room to play with, a butler’s pantry (basically a kitchen within a kitchen) may be a more practical solution for you. That way, you’ll have ample storage, plus an extra work zone containing all your appliances where you can prep food without worrying about making a mess that’s on show.
More: Stylish Storage: 10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
Planning on renovating your kitchen? Consider incorporating a walk-in pantry that’s tucked away behind a cupboard or sliding door into the design. If you like to entertain and have enough room to play with, a butler’s pantry (basically a kitchen within a kitchen) may be a more practical solution for you. That way, you’ll have ample storage, plus an extra work zone containing all your appliances where you can prep food without worrying about making a mess that’s on show.
More: Stylish Storage: 10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
7. Camouflaged canisters
If you want to declutter your benchtop but don’t want to stick certain items in the cupboard where you’ll most likely forget about them, hide them in plain sight. In this kitchen, a collection of magnetic spice jars on a gleaming metal splashback doubles as an eye-catching piece of art. Another idea is to mount a planter filled with herbs on your kitchen wall – you’ll not only have fresh herbs at your fingertips, but it’ll add a pop of colour to your cooking area, too.
If you want to declutter your benchtop but don’t want to stick certain items in the cupboard where you’ll most likely forget about them, hide them in plain sight. In this kitchen, a collection of magnetic spice jars on a gleaming metal splashback doubles as an eye-catching piece of art. Another idea is to mount a planter filled with herbs on your kitchen wall – you’ll not only have fresh herbs at your fingertips, but it’ll add a pop of colour to your cooking area, too.
8. Below the bar
Is there a small gap underneath your elevated breakfast bar? This handy pocket of space is a great place to store plates, small serving bowls and other compact items that are used regularly.
Is there a small gap underneath your elevated breakfast bar? This handy pocket of space is a great place to store plates, small serving bowls and other compact items that are used regularly.
9. Concealed coffee station
If you’ve banished small appliances from your kitchen bench but can’t bear the thought of not having your coffeemaker there and ready to go every morning, refit a small cupboard with a pullout base and use it as a slide-out coffee counter. Store your machine inside, along with cups, beans or pods and sugar to complete the set-up.
If you’ve banished small appliances from your kitchen bench but can’t bear the thought of not having your coffeemaker there and ready to go every morning, refit a small cupboard with a pullout base and use it as a slide-out coffee counter. Store your machine inside, along with cups, beans or pods and sugar to complete the set-up.
10. Splashback surprise
A splashback that doubles as a sliding cabinet door is an inspired idea for a compact cooking zone. Here, the sliding panel hides spices and other condiments, making them within easy reach while cooking.
A splashback that doubles as a sliding cabinet door is an inspired idea for a compact cooking zone. Here, the sliding panel hides spices and other condiments, making them within easy reach while cooking.
11. Hidden home office
If you’re often found working on your laptop at the kitchen bench or dining table, why not create a hidden home office in the area that can be concealed behind cabinetry? The secret workspace can double as a message centre for the home, as well as a place to keep bills and other important paperwork.
Here are more ideas for space-saving home offices
If you’re often found working on your laptop at the kitchen bench or dining table, why not create a hidden home office in the area that can be concealed behind cabinetry? The secret workspace can double as a message centre for the home, as well as a place to keep bills and other important paperwork.
Here are more ideas for space-saving home offices
12. Storage for tight spaces
Pullout racks and base units are clever solutions for awkward spots that often go unused in the cooking zone, for example niches next to ovens and kitchen sinks.
Pullout racks and base units are clever solutions for awkward spots that often go unused in the cooking zone, for example niches next to ovens and kitchen sinks.
13. Pop star
Pop-up shelves are ideal for small appliances, utensil holders and even gadgets like TVs and computers that you use throughout the day but don’t want permanently littering your benchtop.
Pop-up shelves are ideal for small appliances, utensil holders and even gadgets like TVs and computers that you use throughout the day but don’t want permanently littering your benchtop.
14. Kickboard drawers
The area between the base of your cabinetry and the floor is one of the most under-utilised spaces in the kitchen; in fact, it’s often not used at all. Kickboard drawers allow you to maximise this space – use them to store items you don’t use every day such as platters and table linen.
The area between the base of your cabinetry and the floor is one of the most under-utilised spaces in the kitchen; in fact, it’s often not used at all. Kickboard drawers allow you to maximise this space – use them to store items you don’t use every day such as platters and table linen.
15. Top-secret wine cellar
Do you like indulge in a glass of red or white? Then maybe you should consider investing in an integrated wine fridge, which can be blended with your existing decor. These cool cabinets will keep your wine collection at an optimum temperature, unlike the bottom of your pantry where they used to call home.
MORE
10 Storage Ideas for Your Herbs and Spices
Kitchen Capers: Nifty Tricks to Store Just About Anything
20 Storage Ideas That Say ‘Now Why Didn’t I Think of That?’
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
What’s your favourite secret kitchen storage spot? Tell us and share your high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
Do you like indulge in a glass of red or white? Then maybe you should consider investing in an integrated wine fridge, which can be blended with your existing decor. These cool cabinets will keep your wine collection at an optimum temperature, unlike the bottom of your pantry where they used to call home.
MORE
10 Storage Ideas for Your Herbs and Spices
Kitchen Capers: Nifty Tricks to Store Just About Anything
20 Storage Ideas That Say ‘Now Why Didn’t I Think of That?’
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
What’s your favourite secret kitchen storage spot? Tell us and share your high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
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We live in a 7 square home, a glorified caravan I say without wheels, whilst hubby and I build, what I consider to be my perfect home but if nothing else, it's got all the room I can only dream of having at present.
That said, once you live cluttered like this, where there isn't enough room for anything, you would never want your pots on display!!!
I'm counting down the days that my kitchen especially but the entire home, looks like a magazine home that doesn't look lived in ha-ha.
I'm so desperate for space so that I don't bump into things or knock things off a shelf and room for everthing to live, hidden from view, save a lovely vase filled with flowers from my garden!!
This Tansel Stainless Steel pull out spice rack was fitted into what would have otherwise been a "filler" (ie, void space) because it's so narrow. It's full extension so everything slides out. There is also a removable clear non-slip base, which gives bottles stability & catchs any spills. Here is more info: http://tansel.com.au/product/narrow-cabinets/