Get smart with these savvy storage solutions…
A PLANNING POINT TO NOTE
Joanne Kelly, Creative Director at Think Contemporary shares her expert advice when it comes to redecorating or redesigning your kitchen space. She prides herself on creating unique and individual designs that bring her clients’ visions to life. When it comes to storage, Joanne says “The kitchen is one of those spaces where you don’t want to end up with a shortage of storage. To plan your cabinetry and other storage solutions well, think about where you lack storage now, or perhaps ways in which you like to store things. Storage options are numerous from cabinets, larders, pull-out drawers, drawers inside cabinets, pantries, to benches and other additional storage. Select those that best work for you and your family.” www.thinkcontemporary.com
STRETCH CABINETRY TO THE CEILING
Stretching your kitchen cabinetry to the ceilings is a simple and effective way to keep kitchens of all sizes organised. A top tip is to place the items that you don’t use that often at the top of the cabinets and those that you do use often at the bottom, so they are easy to reach. This might seem obvious, but it makes all the difference, according to the experts at Kube kitchens. www.kubeinteriors.com
STORAGE IN THE ISLAND
Interior designer Sara Cosgrove recommends incorporating a bookshelf or a little storage space within the kitchen island. Use this structure to store additional appliances, glassware, serveware or cookbooks. www.devolkitchens.co.uk
INCORPORATE A PANTRY
Pantries have many benefits when it comes to maximising storage. Of course, a pantry is not going to be suitable, available, or on the cards for everyone, but if you are at the design stage and you have some square metres to play with, it’s well worth incorporating. A small dark dry room is a great place to keep both dry and fresh produce, meaning you can use the main kitchen cabinets for glassware, serveware, pots and pans. See more benefits to having a pantry here. www.oconnorsofdrumleck.ie
A SINK SPACE SAVING MECHANISM
The sink is a very important part of the kitchen and offers another way to save space. Interior designer Sara Cosgrove recommends a space-saving mechanism that you may not have thought of: an integrated chopping board or drying rack in the sink. This means you can get the function of the chopping board or drying rack, without it taking up the extra space on the countertop. Sara recommends the brand Caple for innovative sink designs; www.caple.co.uk.
STORAGE SOLUTIONS TO SUIT YOU
After a remodel, it is important to note what you have before you start throwing things back into the cupboard. Planning out where you want to store items before you incorporate any internal storage additions is a smart choice. Built-in metallic units from McNally Kitchen Designs are a savvy solution to help maximise your storage spaces. These closed shelving systems with attached metallic compartments allow plenty of room for storing kitchen utensils, food stuffs, and other kitchen essentials. www.mcnallyliving.ie
A RAIL FOR POTS AND PANS
We all know how much space pots and pans take up. If you are opting to keep them enclosed, then a deep drawer (or two) is the best storage solution. If you have the option, and you like the look of your pots well enough, incorporating a rail for hanging pots over your hob or along a countertop will save that drawer space for other essentials. www.devolkitchens.co.uk
BLANK SPACE SHELVING
Get creative and think about how you can use blank surfaces and walls cleverly. Extra shelves for herbs and spices or dried goods can be neat and unassuming, and mean a whole cupboard can be left free. As it is on display you should find some nice jars you like and keep them neat and organised. @the_house_acc
INTERNAL SOLUTIONS
When it comes to inside the drawer and cupboard, The Panelling Centre has a few words of advice: “Incorporating tall and base pullouts, pull out corner solutions and drawers all make working in your kitchen more convenient. Cutlery dividers are a must for sorting utensils and having a concealed, built-in waste separator and built-in laundry bins will make a huge difference.” Find out more here; www.panellingcentre.ie.
RETHINK RECYCLING
Get smart with how you are disposing of waste. Choose different sizes and shapes of containers to suit different sorts of waste. www.ikea.com
BUILT-IN APPLIANCES
If you order built-in appliances and have them placed neatly into your cabinetry there will be no added bulkiness and your kitchen will look streamlined. Opt for clever appliances like this one. The Siemens IQ500 built-in double oven will not only fit into your cabinetry compactly but it also has multiple special features such as fast pre-heat, cookControl, roastingSensor and 3D hotAir Plus which grants even heat distribution on up to three levels for excellent results. www.siemens-home.bsh-group.com
