My kitchen is so small! How can I get the most storage space possible?
This is the challenge many New England homeowners face. New home construction has typically increased the size of kitchens and their functionality. Yet, that is not always the case. However, a huge percentage of population still live in neighborhoods filled with Capes, smaller Ranch or Raised Ranch homes. Even Victorians and New Englander home's often have a very small amount of square feet devoted to the kitchen.
What is the solution? Kitchen additions are ideal if you have the capitol to invest. It is a good investment that does add value to your home. However, that is not realistic for many. Thinking creatively and strategically is imperative when remodeling your kitchen in the same space the old one is in. This is where innovation in the cabinet industry steps in to solve so many issues.
Let's begin with discussing what is available in cabinets:
Every square inch of space can be useful. You need to think about utilizing all your vertical space as well as the horizontal run of cabinets along the walls of your kitchen. If you are fortunate to have tall ceilings you have great potential storage space you may not have considered before. All of us have those items we need for holidays and special events. Only items used daily or multiple times a week need to be within your immediate reach.
Vertical storage space is accomplished by maximizing the height of your wall cabinets. Installing these cabinets all the way to the ceiling adds valuable storage. You can accomplish this by stacking cabinets or utilizing those tall enough to reach your kitchen ceiling. You can add a beautiful design touch too if you add lighting to the top wall cabinet stacked on the main lower cabinet.
I know what you are thinking. "How inconvenient! I can't reach those top cabinets!" Keep in mind we are brainstorming to create storage within your kitchen footprint so that you do not have to go to your basement or other house "storage " area to get the dish or pan you need. Step stools are your friend and very useful to retrieve anything stored over your head. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter platters and special dishes are perfectly stored in these ceiling height cabinets. Anything you need to store that is not used on a regular basis is perfect to be put in these cabinets.
Typical walls cabinet range in the 30, 33. and 36" high category. However, with our custom lines 39 to 60" cabinets are available. Storing the items used often in the lower part of the taller wall cabinets leaves storage room for the items needed occasionally. If you include a peninsula in your kitchen adding a tall cabinet reaching to the ceiling with one to three drawers at the base of it is perfect for cutlery for eating on the peninsula. Or storing supplies to do homework or bill paying is optimal as well.
If you do not have a dedicated pantry, there are tall cabinets of various styles you can utilize as your pantry. Similar cabinets are also available for broom closets if needed.
There are two very important changes in kitchen cabinet design, especially for corner cabinets or drawer base cabinets. These two innovations have dramatically improved function in small kitchens.
The old "Blind Corner Cabinet" has been reinvented." Blind " is the perfect word to describe this cabinet. Typically it is the black hole where anything placed in it gets pushed back so far it is irretrievable. There are some interior accessory solutions. We will cover that topic next week.
Large Corner Cabinets which are very roomy have replaced the blind corners. They are available with stationary shelves and Lazy Susan's. Nothing gets lost in these cabinets. Everything is in view and the storage capacity is ample.
The other great innovation are wide Pots and Pans Drawer bases. I LOVE these! They are the most versatile cabinets. Yes, they are strong enough to hold your heavy pots and pans. They are also great
places to store dishes or food normally kept in the pantry. The convenience of simply pulling out drawers that are fully extended to access anything you need is awesome. Everything in the drawer is visible and easily accessed. Typical drawer bases are 12 to 18 inches wide. The 3 Drawer Bases measuring 24 to 42 inches wide will hold much more than two of the typical drawers.
Sometimes a smaller cabinet dedicated to a particular use can be the most functional space saving cabinet in your kitchen. I am suggesting pull out 3 to 9 inch cabinets.They may be a base or wall cabinet application. These cabinets are perfect for storing those small items that get lost in bigger cabinets. Spices, medication, specialty utensils are items best stored in these unique space savers. The three and six inch wide ones have a multi use if your kitchen needs to utilize fillers. The filler can actually be a storage space.
I hope these suggestions help you realize any kitchen can be improved and made more functional.
It is all about information and choices. Next week we will discuss the accessories available for the interior of the cabinets mentioned today.
No comments:
Post a Comment