Pro Reveal: Storage Secrets of 5 Great Kitchens
Five design experts reveal smart solutions and key measurements to maximise storage in well-designed kitchens
Georgia Madden
17 June 2021
If you’re redoing your kitchen, practical and good-looking storage is sure to be a priority. We asked the designers behind these five stunning kitchens how they optimised their clients’ storage set-ups so you’re armed with all the inspiration and practical tips you need to get it right.
1. Designer and commentator: Ciara Tapia, architect at Blue Tea Kitchens and Bathrooms
Location: Dawes Point, NSW
Set-up: An open-plan kitchen in a 3.5-storey townhouse for a couple with two grown-up sons. The kitchen connects to a breakfast nook and a dining room.
Size: Around 14 square metres
Tapia says: The owner is a passionate cook so the kitchen had to have a good work flow, ample storage and plenty of bench space.
We combined classic and contemporary elements here, with streamlined cupboard doors at the rear of the kitchen and Shaker-style timber-veneer drawer fronts on the island.
Location: Dawes Point, NSW
Set-up: An open-plan kitchen in a 3.5-storey townhouse for a couple with two grown-up sons. The kitchen connects to a breakfast nook and a dining room.
Size: Around 14 square metres
Tapia says: The owner is a passionate cook so the kitchen had to have a good work flow, ample storage and plenty of bench space.
We combined classic and contemporary elements here, with streamlined cupboard doors at the rear of the kitchen and Shaker-style timber-veneer drawer fronts on the island.
We specified custom joinery to accommodate larger cooking appliances, such as mixers. There are drawers on both sides of the island; each individual drawer contains two deep drawers as well as inner drawers for utensils and cutlery.
We specified soft green for the cabinetry as the client wanted something a little bit different and a sense of calm and nature.
We used two-pack polyurethane cabinetry in Dulux Cat Mint, spotted-gum veneer and Calacatta marble.
Ready to get cracking on your dream kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer on Houzz
We specified soft green for the cabinetry as the client wanted something a little bit different and a sense of calm and nature.
We used two-pack polyurethane cabinetry in Dulux Cat Mint, spotted-gum veneer and Calacatta marble.
Ready to get cracking on your dream kitchen? Find a local kitchen designer on Houzz
Image by Ryan Linnegar
2. Designer and commentator: Lisa Santamaria, interior designer at Santamaria Design
Location: Manly Vale, NSW
Set-up: A relaxed, open kitchen for a busy, outdoor-loving family. It is also designed to accommodate entertaining.
Size: Around 10 square metres
Santamaria says: Open timber shelves at the end of the island bench are designed to accommodate cookbooks, cups and saucers and to create a display area for the owner’s favourite crockery.
2. Designer and commentator: Lisa Santamaria, interior designer at Santamaria Design
Location: Manly Vale, NSW
Set-up: A relaxed, open kitchen for a busy, outdoor-loving family. It is also designed to accommodate entertaining.
Size: Around 10 square metres
Santamaria says: Open timber shelves at the end of the island bench are designed to accommodate cookbooks, cups and saucers and to create a display area for the owner’s favourite crockery.
This kitchen came to life by combining natural-look materials – such as a timber-look laminate for the open shelf areas – and matt-finish concrete-look benchtops with charcoal and white cabinetry.
One of the main challenges here was the low ceiling where the staircase is located. There was no way to hide this so we embraced it by including open shelves in a warm timber at either end of the kitchen. It adds interest and an architectural element to the space and has ended up a lovely feature.
We used Polytec Notaio Walnut woodmatt laminate for the feature shelving and Caesarstone in Fresh Concrete for the benchtops.
One of the main challenges here was the low ceiling where the staircase is located. There was no way to hide this so we embraced it by including open shelves in a warm timber at either end of the kitchen. It adds interest and an architectural element to the space and has ended up a lovely feature.
We used Polytec Notaio Walnut woodmatt laminate for the feature shelving and Caesarstone in Fresh Concrete for the benchtops.
3. Designer and commentator: Sonia Simpfendorfer, creative director of Nexus Designs
Location: Port Melbourne, Victoria
Set-up: An open-plan kitchen for a couple and their primary school-age child. The home is a 149-square-metre apartment in a small, early 2000s block.
Size: Around 14.3 square metres
Simpfendorfer says: Our aim was to create a super-sleek cook’s kitchen that bore no resemblance to the generic ’90s kitchen the apartment came with. We almost doubled the footprint of the kitchen zone by extending it into the unused floor area of the entry space, making it a ‘house’ sized kitchen.
Location: Port Melbourne, Victoria
Set-up: An open-plan kitchen for a couple and their primary school-age child. The home is a 149-square-metre apartment in a small, early 2000s block.
Size: Around 14.3 square metres
Simpfendorfer says: Our aim was to create a super-sleek cook’s kitchen that bore no resemblance to the generic ’90s kitchen the apartment came with. We almost doubled the footprint of the kitchen zone by extending it into the unused floor area of the entry space, making it a ‘house’ sized kitchen.
We added extensive, concealed storage with double-height 300-millimetre-deep joinery, which extends twice the length of the kitchen and wraps up and over the entry door.
Full-height cabinetry creates a feeling of generosity and makes the ceiling appear higher – plus it creates storage space for those infrequently used items.
Near-invisible handles minimise distraction and keep things timeless – handles are the carbon-dating of kitchens.
Browse more beautifully designed contemporary Australian kitchens
Full-height cabinetry creates a feeling of generosity and makes the ceiling appear higher – plus it creates storage space for those infrequently used items.
Near-invisible handles minimise distraction and keep things timeless – handles are the carbon-dating of kitchens.
Browse more beautifully designed contemporary Australian kitchens
4. Designer and commentator: Ed Ewers, principal at Ed Ewers Architecture
Location: Geelong, Victoria
Set-up: A family kitchen in a large kitchen/living/dining space
Size: Around 18 square metres
Ewers says: We installed a statement bulkhead with a long, open shelf to define the kitchen within this open-plan room. It also softens the transition to the adjoining living/dining spaces.
Location: Geelong, Victoria
Set-up: A family kitchen in a large kitchen/living/dining space
Size: Around 18 square metres
Ewers says: We installed a statement bulkhead with a long, open shelf to define the kitchen within this open-plan room. It also softens the transition to the adjoining living/dining spaces.
The owners love art, artefacts and books so the shelf provides an opportunity for display and book storage. The owners access the shelf with a step ladder.
We used solid Victorian ash for the shelf, which ties in beautifully with the grey Nikpol laminate of the kitchen joinery.
We used solid Victorian ash for the shelf, which ties in beautifully with the grey Nikpol laminate of the kitchen joinery.
5. Designer and commentator: Anne Potter, consultant designer at Plan 2 Design
Location: Potts Point, NSW
Set-up: A partially enclosed kitchen 1.18 metres wide, which opens onto a living room in a 40-square-metre Art Deco unit.
Size: 3.2 square metres
Designer/builder: Guy Allenby, renovation consultant at Refresh Renovations
Potter says: One of the cilent’s key must-haves for the new kitchen was somewhere to install the fridge as the previous kitchen was too small for it, which meant it was kept in the living area. The client also wanted to fit in a 600-millimetre-deep oven, more bench space, more cupboards and drawers, and better accessibility.
Due to the kitchen’s narrow width, we had to be clever where we positioned appliances. We made the most of the depth by curving the benchtop and creating a 600-millimetre depth for the oven and cooktop. The remainder of the benchtops are narrower than the standard sizing of 600 millimetres.
Location: Potts Point, NSW
Set-up: A partially enclosed kitchen 1.18 metres wide, which opens onto a living room in a 40-square-metre Art Deco unit.
Size: 3.2 square metres
Designer/builder: Guy Allenby, renovation consultant at Refresh Renovations
Potter says: One of the cilent’s key must-haves for the new kitchen was somewhere to install the fridge as the previous kitchen was too small for it, which meant it was kept in the living area. The client also wanted to fit in a 600-millimetre-deep oven, more bench space, more cupboards and drawers, and better accessibility.
Due to the kitchen’s narrow width, we had to be clever where we positioned appliances. We made the most of the depth by curving the benchtop and creating a 600-millimetre depth for the oven and cooktop. The remainder of the benchtops are narrower than the standard sizing of 600 millimetres.
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Want more on kitchens? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Once-Cramped Kitchen Now a Small Scandi Dream
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
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Want more on kitchens? Don’t miss this Before & After: A Once-Cramped Kitchen Now a Small Scandi Dream
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@Anthony Issa Ah, thanks. Seems the the step is more helpful for kids or shorter people than for accessing cabinets up to 10'. I'd be curious what the hidden "ladder" is.
Seeing kitchen plans like this gives me ideas on what's to do and not to do. The upper shelf has given me an idea, however will opt for a glass/ acrylic covering rather than open to prevent dust and less time cleaning.
At Anyhony Issa, I've seen the one step blum system. It's quite unique and helpful to the ones who cant reach the upper cupboard comfortably and/ or if you dont want a step.ladder hanging around all the time.
Apart from the Blum step there's the Hideaway Solutions Step180 and the Scalimera toe kick ladder. Both of these are two step ladders that give good height and completely hide away.