Kitchen Design Secrets That Make Your Life Easier

We snuck into a kitchen mid-install, dodging tools and drop cloths, to bring you a peek at some of the best kitchen accessories for a functional and beautiful space. If you’re thinking about a new kitchen, these details can make all the difference.
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SOAP REFILL WITHOUT THE GYMNASTICS
If you’ve ever contorted yourself under the sink to refill a tiny soap dispenser, you’re not alone. In this kitchen, we’ve installed a large reservoir soap cavity that’s easy to access and easy to refill from the other side of the island. No more squeezing into awkward under sink spaces just to top up your dish soap. It will still require pulling out an island chair and bending, but it’s easy to access.
UNDERUTILIZED STORAGE AREAS
Built-In Bench Storage
We love a built-in bench for additional storage, but often they’re difficult to reach and things are lost in a pile of items. No matter what you do, bench storage can be cumbersome and shouldn’t be used for things you need to access daily.
Here are two options for bench storage with pros and cons.
- Top-lift Trunk Style Storage: Once the bench cushion is removed and the latch is lifted, it’s not too difficult to access this storage. The problem with top-lift hinges is that your items are stacked. It’s easy to forget things are there and to get overwhelmed by the search.
- Drawer Storage: These drawers can be shallow or deep. They roll out easily and you can see your items quickly. Depending on the length of the drawer, you may need to pull out a table and chairs to be able to access this storage.
Kitchen Island
To offer the most counterspace, kitchen islands can be so large that the size causes a biproduct of underutilized storage space. Drawers can only be so large to extend comfortably so you can stand and access your items. This means that there is storage space hidden behind the drawers, and sometimes the knees of your guests.
Depending on the shape and style of your island, you might want to add shelving and doors on the size of the island behind the knees of your guests. If your ideal storage is more linear, adding doors to the ends of your island might make more sense.
MILLWORK DESIGN TIPS
Lower Millwork
Lower millwork cabinets with doors force you to bend and reach, often digging through cluttered shelves. Drawers, on the other hand, bring everything into view with a simple pull. They make retrieving heavy pots and small kitchen gadgets far easier, reducing strain on your back and knees. When planning your kitchen, opt for drawers in lower millwork wherever possible. Some considerations:
- Consider the weight of the items you’re placing in your drawers and ensure you select slides and hardware that can stand up to the load being placed in them.
- Along the same lines, consider the size of the items you’re placing. Can you comfortably fit the items you will need to place there? Can you organize them and arrange them in a way that makes sense for how you work in the kitchen?
Pantry Pullout Heights
Pullouts are a terrific way to keep tall millwork and built in pantries organised, but their usefulness has limits.
- If you can’t see into the pullout without tiptoeing, it’s too high. Anything above eye level turns into a guessing game.
- Also, consider the weight of the items being stored. Heavier pieces, like pantry staples or cookware, are best kept at waist height or below. As with lower millwork drawers, overloading a high pullout with heavy goods strains hardware and can cause wear and tear over time. Stick to light items like spices, oils, and baking supplies for upper pullouts.
SOLUTIONS FOR AWKWARD CORNERS
We’ve gone over these in this kitchen cabinet accessory blog, but we’ll mention them here too. Blind corners in cabinetry often turn into black holes for lost kitchen gear. Corners are unavoidable in kitchen design, but they don’t need to be a waste of space.
There are plenty of accessories to solve this problem. Two-tier pullout systems bring everything forward with ease. They can be rectangular or kidney-shaped pullout that moves smoothly but takes up a bit less space. If you have a large double sided blind corner, meet Super Susan. She has more stability, better storage, and a seamless look.
A BAKER’S DREAM SETUP
Dedicated spaces make hobbies more enjoyable. In this kitchen, a baking station keeps everything within reach, with a built-in food processor shelf that lifts effortlessly. Heavy-duty hinges mean no wrestling with awkward appliances.
WASTE SORTING MADE SMARTER
No one wants to deal with messy bins. This kitchen features an easy-to-clean, pullout garbage and organics station with a built-in shelf for extra liners and bags. Bonus? Soft-close everything. No more slamming drawers, no matter how hard the kids try.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON KITCHEN DESIGN
Every kitchen has its own rhythm. Smart accessories are a great addition to an already functional kitchen design layout and can keep things moving smoothly, making everyday tasks simpler. If you’re planning a new kitchen, remember that you spend so much time in your kitchen, and it should be a positive experience. The right accessories can help! An expert kitchen designer can help more. When you’re ready to embark on your next kitchen renovation, we’re here to help.
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