5 Ways to Increase your Kitchen Storage

You love the look of your kitchen but what do you do if you don’t have enough storage space to keep things organized and functional?  Here are 5 kitchen storage solutions to create space, better use kitchen space and make your kitchen more functional.  They might even give your friends “kitchen envy.”

Add a Pantry

Add a matching pantry to the end of your existing kitchen cabinets or on a separate available wall.   Done in combination of painting kitchen cabinets, it can look like it was there from the very beginning.  Pantries are excellent storage solution because their depth.  They provide nearly twice the storage of upper and lower cabinets combined.  They’re also less expensive that adding upper and lower cabinets, because you don’t need the extra countertop length, backsplash or under-cabinetry lights.

More Cabinetry

If your current cabinets don’t go all the way to your ceiling, you can additional cabinets above the current to use the space.  Adding a side panel along your refrigerator not only creates a more built-in look, but it creates space for a deeper cabinet above the width of your refrigerator.   You can also add additional cabinetry to a separate available wall, providing space for fun features such a beverage cooler or coffee station.

Add / Expand an Island

If you have room in your kitchen, add an island, and if really want additional cabinetry space make it 3 or 4 feet wide and long and add cabinets on both sides.  

This kitchen island provides storage for children’s items and functions as a table.

Incorporate Bench Seating

Add storage by using bench seating in a banquet.   Bench tops can lift to provide access to storage or pull out drawers are also possible. 

Here pantry like storage and a banquet are added to make room for children’s goods including coats.

Internal Storage Solutions

No matter how much storage space you have, your kitchen will have more functional space if you use storage solutions.   Drawers and pullout shelves in lower kitchen cabinets make it easier to access items in back.  Specialized corner units make use of hard to reach blind corners.  Many storage solutions are designed around common needs like waste storage and organizing spices.

For more kitchen storage solutions and ideas, watch our full video with Chicago based interior designers MacKenzie Cain and Hannah Lewek moderated by Jaclyn Jensen.  If you’re in the Chicago area and renovating your kitchen, please contact us to learn more about our services.

This article written by Jaclyn Jensen and Mitchell Newman reflects the design experience of MacKenzie Cain and Hannah Lewek, who work at Habitar Design, a top-rated interior design firm in Chicago. For more information on Habitar Design, a fully integrated design company with construction capability, click here.