by Robin DaSilva - Senior Kitchen Designer / Showroom Manager at Elite Kitchen & Bath

“If you can organize your kitchen, you can organize your life.” – Louis Parrish

Kitchen Design - Maximum Organization & Storage Suggestions

As a kitchen designer who gets to design for so many clients, I often wonder how I will design my own kitchen. One of the top reasons people want a new kitchen is increased organization and storage. Of course smaller kitchens have to be designed more efficiently to gain maximum space. The wish list for organizing a client's kitchen (or your own) is directly related to their lifestyle and size of the kitchen. Appliances also fit into the equation of organization and storage.

19 Questions to ask before designing a kitchen - with Storage & Organization in mind. We will address several of these points in this blog. Future blogs will address more points.

1. What storage issues do you have now?

2. What is your cooking style?

3. Do you bake?

4. Do you own small appliances? What type/size?

5. Does your family use a lot of frozen food, fresh food, packaged shelf stable food?

6. Do you entertain often? Large or small groups?

7. When you entertain, do you stay in the kitchen with guests during cooking?

8. Do you use a great deal of spices?

9. Do you have small children who need access to snacks and drinks?

10. Are there any family members with disabilities or restrictions?

11. Do you own a lot of pots, pans and/or dishes? Size is important.

12. Do you recycle?

13. Do you drink wine or bottled beverages?

14. Do you cook with many grains and staples (rice, quinoa, flour, sugar, etc.)

15. Do you own many trays/cutting boards?

16. Do you want a charging station/docking drawer?

17. Do you own many large Chef knives?

18. Will there be more than one cook in the kitchen at the same time often?

19. Will you conduct any other activities in the kitchen?
    

Storage & Organization Tools in the Kitchen

There are many storage solutions that are instrumental in helping you stay organized and streamline your cooking and living experience.

For the Baker:

If a person bakes often, having spice racks, tray dividers and sugar/flour storage bins in a drawer are super helpful. Adding a cooking appliance that proofs is ideal. The baker often owns several small appliances. Designing a cabinet in a convenient spot that holds/stores these appliances gives the kitchen a clean look. You can add a sliding or folding door on the small appliance cabinet / "garage" as well. Many bakers (and cooks) like a cutting board that pulls out of the cabinet for extra space if their counter space is small.

The Everyday Chef

Convenience is key! First and foremost, the design must position the range (cook-top/oven), fridge and sink in close proximity for efficiency. The storage features depend on the person's style. Universal great storage ideas for the daily chef include a pot drawer, a lid organizer, spice rack, additional utensil drawer that holds cooking utensils and chef knives, trash bin and a pull out cutting board. Blind corner organizers fitted with a LeMans is a better solution than the typical Lazy Susan. LeMans

Doors with roll-outs and drawers are easier to use and help avoid foods and items getting lost on the back of a shelf. A combi- steam oven which is typically a smaller unit, will be your go-to oven for most meals.

Miele Combi-Steam Oven

The Entertainer

Wow do they need space and organization! On top of the aforementioned storage solutions, the Entertainer needs additional refrigerated and pantry space, additional cooking space and if possible, a bar area with a sink, wine fridge, beverage fridge, glass storage and a glassware dishwasher. And of course, an ice-maker! A hutch or additional drawer/cabinet space to store dinner plates would be ideal.

Additional pantry space can be fitted with roll-outs or a roll out revolving cart. Hafele Roll Out . For dinner parties, a warming drawer placed under under a wall oven is very helpful. Towel racks keep your most used items organized.

Additional refrigerated space must be able to accommodate trays. Most trays do not fit into a built-in fridge. The additional refrigeration may have to be in another area such as the basement or garage. If the client has the space, a Walk-In Fridge would be ideal.

Additional trash bins are a bonus. Backsplash railings for cooking utensils will give the Chef more drawer space.

The Professional Chef

What additional products and accessories do professional chefs want when they cook at home? They desire special cooking equipment which includes a plancha, french cook-top, plenty of high BTU burners, deep fryer, steamer and/or a wok. The luxury professional chef designs his/her own commercial range for the home. Their custom cooking suite is the focal point of the kitchen. Some Chefs add a pizza oven - indoors or outdoors. It adds great ambiance to a home on top of its fantastic cooking ability.

They also want commercial grade shelving for dry storage and in their walk-in fridge. Extra deep sinks and an ample working station are necessities. And then there are the Chef Toys. They love their knives and can use a knife block and knife drawer. They use very specific hand tools which need a drawer or two for storage. And plenty of oven mitts! You may even design in a closet for their Chef-ware.

Additional Storage & Organizer Must - Haves

Let's not forget the under the sink U-Drawer to store cleaning supplies, sponges, etc...

Vitamin/Medicine drawer - With universal design and aging in place, a drawer dedicated to these items is a smart idea.

Outlets! Location is important. Don't under-estimate how convenient they can be.

Docking Draw

Make sure you have enough counter space near the range/wall ovens/cook-top

Rollouts are so convenient. They can be installed behind cabinet doors and there are many creative options for your pantry.

Enough lighting over the prep and cooking areas is essential. You would be surprised how lighting is an after thought in some kitchens.

Lemans Corner Cabinet. As mentioned above, you will never go back to the good old Lazy Susan after using this wonderful accessory.

Call me if you have questions or would like a free consultation. I work with consumers, architects, designers and builders.

Robin DaSilva - 516-365-0595 Ext 102