A lot is asked of the kitchen these days.

On one hand, it needs to be stylish. And there is nearly limitless opportunity for adding customized beauty in the form of cabinet colors and finishes, dazzling countertops, eye-catching backsplashes, flooring, and, of course, features.

At the same time, your kitchen also needs to have a solid work ethic, effortlessly pulling double-duty as both a living and cooking space. This is the point where function and beauty meet, creating a truly exceptional and unique kitchen.

While aesthetics are important, let’s take a closer look at function for now, especially the all-important topic of creative storage solutions.

Too much kitchen storage? There is no such thing

In all our years of assisting homeowners with remodeling and restoration projects, we have never heard anyone complain about having too much storage space, or about a specific feature being too convenient. After all, unless you happen to have a massive kitchen, the real estate on your counters and in your cupboards and drawers is probably worth its weight in gold.

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Appliance garage: Keep your countertops clear

Whether you need more space for your kids’ homework or simply don’t want a toaster to hide your new soapstone countertop, an appliance garage is a convenient solution.

Often located at the end of the counter and recessed into the wall, this little kitchen storage hideaway is the perfect place to store small appliances that you need easy access to, but that doesn’t need to be in your line of sight all day.

Built-ins for books, recipes, and whatever else you’re into

Built-in shelving in living rooms, entry areas, and bedrooms is common and popular, so why not the kitchen? These kitchen storage shelves could hold anything from your go-to spices to your favorite cookbooks. As long as they’re kept orderly, these shelves provide a convenient, out-of-the-way storage solution.

Island built-ins

Let’s take the idea of built-in shelving a step further: why not build them into the side of your island ? These square feet often represent a lost storage opportunity.

And, if you don’t want traditional shelves, how about a wine rack instead? Some folks even create a recessed spot for their pet’s food and water dishes, which sure beats kicking one of the bowls and getting a soaked sock when you come down for a midnight snack.

Great Island, by Nancy Hugo, CKD on flickr [CC BY-ND 2.0]

Creative drawer design

Traditional Kitchen by Portland Kitchen & Bath Designers Kirstin Havnaer, Hearthstone Interior Design, LLC

If you have the opportunity to build custom cabinetry, you should definitely talk to your designer about filling even the small spaces with clever drawers.

For example, a tall, narrow drawer might fit beautifully in an otherwise overlooked section. It could house bottles, vertically hung pots and pans, or (our favorite) utensils, eliminating the need for another canister on the counter.

Corner drawer: So much better than a lazy susan

Corner cupboards with circular, spinning platforms were all the rage for a while, but they really aren’t the most efficient system anymore. The platform is tough to organize (maybe because of the tornado-like spinning action?) and, if something falls off, you practically need to be double-jointed to dig it back out.

What’s the alternative?

The efficient, stylish corner drawer is now sitting in the limelight, and for good reason. With 90-degree faces that form a nice, clean angle, the drawer space runs diagonally back into the cabinetry. Every centimeter is useable, and nothing will fall off into oblivion.

kitchen design take away

The key ingredient in all these ideas is creativity, so never be afraid to think outside the box … or cabinet. Have fun with your kitchen storage design, and if there is a problem you need to be solved for your specific situation, create your own answer!

READ MORE: KITCHEN REDESIGN IDEAS (WITH COST ESTIMATIONS)