Having a well-organized kitchen that maximizes its space and efficiency can go a long way in making the time you spend at home with your family more enjoyable. There are two ways to accomplish this objective: you can focus on the layout of the kitchen or on how the items are placed inside the cabinets. Of course, you can use both approaches when organizing your kitchen!
Kitchen Cabinet Layout Ideas
Kitchens come in many shapes and sizes, which can make choosing what kind of cabinets to order and where to place them a bit challenging if you’re not a professional designer. Whether you seek guidance from a Las Vegas kitchen cabinet store or want to give a redesign a try on your own, it’s important to take your time, consider how your family will use and move around the kitchen, and make sure your design is practical, functional, and accommodates your lifestyle.
The galley layout is the most space-efficient design. It maximizes storage space and working counter surface, making it an ideal layout for smaller kitchens where every inch counts. The U-shaped kitchen is also efficient and uses three sides of the kitchen for cabinets and counters, providing plenty of space for multiple people.
The L-shaped kitchen is the most common layout with a continuous flow of cabinets and counters. Kitchens oriented around multipurpose islands are great for large families and for entertaining because of the unique combination of the openness and extra cabinets above and below the counters, as well as under the island. Wine storage or cubbies are also often added to one side of the island.
Other Considerations Before Selecting Cabinets
Determine where you ideally want your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and other major appliances to go. Tall cabinets and appliances look best at the end of a series of cabinets, although this is not always possible to do. Dedicate cabinet space for your coffee machine, toaster, and other smaller appliances so that they don’t clog up the counter.
Make ergonomic cabinet choices–keep deep storage drawers for heavier pots and pans in the lower half of the kitchen. Plates and dishes can easily be placed in higher cabinets. If the cabinets have glass doors, it makes it easier to see and find what you need, when you need it.
Add pantries in an area away from the kitchen workspace so the space can be stocked and organized without the kitchen feeling cluttered. Sleek open shelving is another way to add storage if more cabinets don’t make sense–just make sure you don’t overstuff the shelves or they will look messy!
Hanging pots and pans from the ceiling with decorative rods and wisely using color can also play a part in the overall aesthetic of a kitchen. White or another light color will make the space look bigger and brighter, or you can opt for several distinct shades of the same color to create different zones within your kitchen, using the lightest shade to stretch the appearance of the cabinets.
If you need a little extra help reaching the higher cabinets in your kitchen, you might want to install a rolling ladder (like the ones you might see in a library). If you are replacing an existing kitchen, there is plenty you can do with the old kitchen cabinets, such as repurposing them as extra storage in the garage or kid’s playroom.
Organizing the Contents of the Cabinets
Once your cabinets are installed, give some thought to how you are going to use them. Turntables are great for organizing cooking necessities and making dead space inside a cabinet usable. Drawer dividers help keep utensils from sliding around and piling up on each other, and hooks hung on the underside of shelves can be used to stash away coffee mugs. Additionally, shelf risers can double the amount of usable cabinet space, and adjusting the height between shelves can make the storage space more functional.
Don’t forget the space above the cabinets. They are perfect for displaying decorative baskets, bowls, or vases!
Putting It All Together
Reconfiguring a kitchen to make the most of its space is a project that requires some forethought and planning. Take your time and reach out to 27estore for advice on how to make the most out of kitchen cabinets and avoid making a costly design mistake!
