“I have too much kitchen storage space”. It’s not a complaint most of us hear.
In the UK, kitchens and homes, in general, tend to be on the smaller side in comparison to many other countries, leaving Brits constantly battling clutter due to a lack of storage space. At Kitchen Makeovers, we’re all about optimising space while providing stylish kitchens, and in this article, we’re sharing our tips for adding additional cabinets and storage to your kitchen.
Clear out the clutter
Before thinking about extra storage for your kitchen, it’s time to take a long, hard look at what’s in your existing space. Have a good root through your cabinets and drawers, and chances are that you’ll find a ton of stuff that is broken or that you simply don’t use. Sort these items into three categories:
- Defunct – Items which are broken should be disposed of immediately. In contrast, items in decent condition but not wanted or used can be sold or gifted via eBay or social media selling groups.
- Seasonal or sentimental – This is the stuff that you still use or can’t bear to part with, and these things should be removed from the kitchen and stored elsewhere, for example, in the loft, until they’re needed.
- Keepers – These are the things that you use regularly and which need to remain in your kitchen.
While you’re at it, it’s also a good idea to go through your food drawers. Often, these drawers are rammed full of empty condiment jars, out-of-date packets and multiple duplicated items. By regularly cleaning out your food drawers and cabinets, you’ll not only help to save space, but you’ll also save money on your grocery shopping as, once you can see what’s in there, you won’t be tempted to buy more of an item rather than rooting through the drawer to find the one you already have.
Space – the final kitchen frontier
Having successfully decluttered your cupboards and drawers, you can now embark on the exciting journey of exploring additional space.
In this section, we’ll delve into some ingenious strategies and techniques that will effortlessly optimise your living areas, allowing you to make the most out of every nook and cranny. Get ready to discover innovative ideas and inventive solutions as we guide you towards a more spacious and organized home. Let’s dive in!
Going up
In many kitchens, cupboards tend to be at shoulder height or lower for easy access, leaving space between cupboards and ceilings. If you’re pushed for cabinet space, you may want to consider adding additional cabinets above your existing ones, although this may mean you’ll need to keep a stepladder within easy reach.
This can be incredibly convenient for storing kitchen items that, although not used every single day, are required every now and then, especially during those unexpected moments when you suddenly find yourself needing that speciality gadget or utensil you thought you wouldn’t use again but turns out to be absolutely handy in certain culinary endeavours.
Go large
Cabinet sizes in UK homes tend to be somewhat stingy, leaving many homeowners struggling to find sufficient storage space. However, there are solutions that can transform your storage woes.
Imagine a floor-to-ceiling cupboard or larder unit, offering abundant room for all your essentials and more. Not only can it be a lifesaver, but it can also add a touch of elegance and functionality to your space. And the best part? It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you have a spare wall and you’re looking to create some additional storage space, our team can help. Say goodbye to clutter and welcome a more organised and stylish home with our brand-new larder units.
Utilising the utility room
Sadly, 68% of British homes do not have a utility room, but if you’re among the lucky 32%, there’s a good chance that you’re using the space to store a random assortment of objects, which, in all honesty, should probably be thrown out.
If this is you, you may want to consider transforming your utility room into a pantry to store all of your tinned and dried food and fresh fruit and vegetables. Not only will this free up a significant amount of valuable storage space in your kitchen, but it may also add value to your home as pantries are becoming increasingly popular and are added to home buyer’s wish lists.
The floor show
Although this may not work for everyone, it is, in some cases, possible to create underfloor storage for those items that you don’t need to have to hand all the time.
This innovative storage solution can help maximise kitchen space, especially if you’re seriously limited in storage capacity. It involves creating hidden compartments beneath the floor, making use of the usually unused space.
To explore this option further, it is advisable to consult with a building professional who can assess the feasibility and provide guidance tailored to your specific kitchen layout and requirements. While implementing this solution may require an upfront financial investment, the long-term benefits of increased kitchen storage and improved organization can outweigh the initial costs.
On the pull
If you find yourself lacking space to add more cabinets to your kitchen, don’t lose hope! There’s still a solution. Consider incorporating pull-out shelves and holders into your existing cabinets.
These clever additions not only help optimise the available space but are also usually cost-effective. They prove to be especially handy for shallow cabinets that often have limited storage capacity. By utilising pull-out shelves and holders, you can make the most out of your kitchen’s storage potential and keep everything neatly organized. Your kitchen will become a haven of efficiency and functionality!
Island life
If you have a kitchen island, this can offer some great storage opportunities. Adding shelves to each end of the island can help to free up space, or, if you prefer not to have your stored items on display, try switching up your island to one which contains cabinets. Don’t worry if your new island doesn’t match your existing decor – at Kitchen Makeovers, we’re experts in replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts quickly and inexpensively – and without any fuss or hassle.
A saucy solution
Pans often consume a significant amount of valuable space, resulting in an unsightly and cluttered appearance when left piled up on top of the cooker.
Instead, you might want to consider the practicality and aesthetic benefits of a ceiling or wall-hanging rack specifically designed to accommodate your pans. By utilising such a rack, you can effortlessly maintain a neat, tidy, and organized kitchen setup while ensuring that your cookware remains conveniently out of the way.
For added convenience, investing in a rack equipped with a pulley system offers easy access to your pans whenever you need them, allowing for the swift and efficient storage of your cookware when not in use.
Divide and conquer
Most of us are guilty of simply chucking items into cupboards and drawers without any rhyme or reason – leading to overcrowded and chaotic cupboards and items taking up more space than needed. Many of us just don’t have the time to organise our cupboards meticulously.
However, by investing in some cupboard and drawer dividers, you can help to add a bit of order to your storage as well as make sure that you’re making the most of every single inch of space that is available to you. These are widely available online and from home stores and are extremely inexpensive.
What’s in store for your kitchen this year?
At Kitchen Makeovers, we make it our business to ensure that Britain’s kitchens are stylish, practical and functional. We make light work of replacing cabinet doors, drawer fronts and countertops as well as fittings to provide a kitchen refresh without the cost, fuss and mess of having a brand new kitchen fitted.
If you’re looking to reimagine your kitchen storage space, get in touch with our experts today to find out how we can help you optimise your kitchen storage space without compromising on style.
