Expert Eye: How to Make Awkward Kitchen Spaces Functional
Think you don't have enough space? There are little gems scattered around your kitchen that can be put to good use
Tanya Selever
22 April 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Founder and director of Tansel Stainless Steel Wireware, I love all things storage, home and interiors. I have 13 years' experience in product design and our home is a continuous renovation project. I'm a busy mother of two young boys and am delighted to be contributing to Houzz. My B. Econ, M. Mgt and Dip. Financial Service, as well as an earlier corporate career, continue to come in handy to this day.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Founder and director of Tansel Stainless Steel Wireware,... More
Browse this compendium of ideas for all those narrow, shallow and tight kitchen spots you might be overlooking in your hunt for storage opportunities.
Above the bench
Shallow shelving near the cooking zone is a great and often overlooked resource. Easy access and perfect visibility make this a really good spot for storing small items.
Tip: If you love this idea, consider placing the shelf far enough away from the stovetop to avoid heat and food splatter.
Browse more beautiful kitchens
Shallow shelving near the cooking zone is a great and often overlooked resource. Easy access and perfect visibility make this a really good spot for storing small items.
Tip: If you love this idea, consider placing the shelf far enough away from the stovetop to avoid heat and food splatter.
Browse more beautiful kitchens
What a great way to use a shallow space. All of these everyday condiments and spices are concealed and yet completely accessible and in the perfect location – right where you need them.
Next to the fridge
If you’re weren’t fortunate enough to renovate and work with a blank canvas you may end up with… the fridge gap! Don’t despair, it’s a goldmine of unused space. Here is one clever idea; the fixed-spice rack. A slide-out stainless steel spice rack is also an option as it will give you good accessibility. A wall-mounted drawer will also offer better concealment.
If you’re weren’t fortunate enough to renovate and work with a blank canvas you may end up with… the fridge gap! Don’t despair, it’s a goldmine of unused space. Here is one clever idea; the fixed-spice rack. A slide-out stainless steel spice rack is also an option as it will give you good accessibility. A wall-mounted drawer will also offer better concealment.
Under the sink
Creating functional spaces around plumbing and other obstructions is a challenge. Most people remove the middle shelf, which allows height but can leave large areas of underutilised space. Here are some examples of good space usage (especially the small tilt drawer for sponges and other bits and bobs).
Tip: Watch what materials are used in wet areas. Timbers and melamine can swell and chrome-plated wire can rust. Stainless steel, aluminium and plastic are more durable. Lining the base of the under-sink cabinet (as pictured) will protect the cabinetry from swelling if moisture seeps into the corners and melamine edging.
10 kitchen drawers that’ll make life easier
Creating functional spaces around plumbing and other obstructions is a challenge. Most people remove the middle shelf, which allows height but can leave large areas of underutilised space. Here are some examples of good space usage (especially the small tilt drawer for sponges and other bits and bobs).
Tip: Watch what materials are used in wet areas. Timbers and melamine can swell and chrome-plated wire can rust. Stainless steel, aluminium and plastic are more durable. Lining the base of the under-sink cabinet (as pictured) will protect the cabinetry from swelling if moisture seeps into the corners and melamine edging.
10 kitchen drawers that’ll make life easier
I like this configuration because it works around all the plumbing obstructions, so just about all the space is able to be utilised. Everything slides out for maximum access in what would otherwise be an awkward, hard-to-reach space. The stainless-steel wire and removable plastic bases are perfect for wet areas.
Kickboard drawers
If your kitchen is small or you need every bit of space to do extra duty, a kickboard drawer is a good option. All those baking trays, platters, special-occasion placemats (the list goes on) can be packed here. This set-up has a small handle, but there are many drawer systems (including push-to-open mechanisms) that don’t require this.
If your kitchen is small or you need every bit of space to do extra duty, a kickboard drawer is a good option. All those baking trays, platters, special-occasion placemats (the list goes on) can be packed here. This set-up has a small handle, but there are many drawer systems (including push-to-open mechanisms) that don’t require this.
Extremely shallow spaces
First prize for cleverness: a shallow concealed cabinet is a wonderful storage place for stuff such as bills, cookbooks, chopping boards, kids’ art, keys, etc. If you have adequate depth, you might be able to have adjustable shelves and store spices and bottles here too.
The step-by-step plan to an organised kitchen pantry
First prize for cleverness: a shallow concealed cabinet is a wonderful storage place for stuff such as bills, cookbooks, chopping boards, kids’ art, keys, etc. If you have adequate depth, you might be able to have adjustable shelves and store spices and bottles here too.
The step-by-step plan to an organised kitchen pantry
If space is at a premium, a slide-out plate rack will use the shallow space efficiently and free up other cabinets for storage. The slide-out feature also provides better accessibility. On the odd occasion, this can be used as an open drying rack.
Extremely narrow spaces
This narrow drawer next to the stovetop is a good use of space that is handy for storing large baking trays or pizza dishes that you’d otherwise be digging around for at the back of some cabinet.
This narrow drawer next to the stovetop is a good use of space that is handy for storing large baking trays or pizza dishes that you’d otherwise be digging around for at the back of some cabinet.
Sometimes cabinetmakers use fillers to balance out cabinetry design or to work around obstructions that exist in a kitchen. Rather than wasting the space, a narrow spice rack can be used to create a mini pantry. Spaces can be as narrow as 10 centimetres for systems such as this to be fitted. They can sit behind a hinged door.
These are generally tricky areas and can have much unused space due to access issues. Assuming your cabinet is not too high up, this slide-out spice rack is a great way of making the most of these cabinets.
Your turn
Have you made the most out of an awkward space in your kitchen? Tell us how, or show us photographs in the Comments below.
More
Browse more kitchen pantry photographs
Your turn
Have you made the most out of an awkward space in your kitchen? Tell us how, or show us photographs in the Comments below.
More
Browse more kitchen pantry photographs
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Sounds like pullout baskets or shelves would be the answer.
Can you put your dishwasher in there with hanging storage for pots?