Ask most people what frustrates them about their current kitchen and storage comes up almost immediately. Pans that tumble out of the cupboard, a corner unit nobody can reach, a worktop permanently covered in appliances because there is nowhere else to put them.
The short answer is that good kitchen storage is less about how much space you have and more about how easily you can reach what you need. Deep drawers, well-planned tall units, clever corner pull-outs and made-to-measure cabinets make far more difference than simply adding more cupboards.
Plan storage around what you own
The best storage starts with a simple question: what are you actually storing? A family that cooks from scratch every evening needs very different storage to a couple who entertain at weekends.
When we visit you at home, we like to understand your routine. Where do the everyday plates live? Do you have a collection of large serving dishes? Do you need space for a stand mixer, a bread maker or a set of good knives? Planning storage around your belongings means everything has a natural home, which keeps the worktops clear and the kitchen calm.
Drawers are almost always better than cupboards
If we could give one piece of storage advice to everyone, it would be this. Deep pan drawers in base units are far more practical than cupboards. With a cupboard, you kneel down, move the front items out of the way and reach into the back. With a drawer, you pull it towards you and see everything at once from above.
Drawers do cost more than cupboards because of the runners and mechanisms, and that is exactly where quality matters. Drawers full of pans and crockery carry real weight and are opened many times a day. We specify Blum and Hettich drawer systems because they are built to cope with that load smoothly for many years. Our guide to why German hardware makes all the difference explains this in more detail.
Turn awkward corners into useful space
Corner cupboards have a reputation for being where things go to be forgotten. The solution is a well-engineered pull-out mechanism. Kessebohmer, the German specialist we use for pull-outs, produces systems that swing or slide the contents of a corner unit out towards you, so nothing is lost at the back.
Kessebohmer’s tall larder pull-outs work brilliantly for food storage. Shelves glide out of the unit, so you can see every tin and jar at a glance rather than rummaging in the dark.
Use the full height of the room
Wall units that stop short of the ceiling waste storage and collect dust on top. Running units higher, or choosing full-height larders and tall housings, adds a remarkable amount of storage without using any more floor space. Higher shelves are perfect for seasonal items and things you only use occasionally.
Make every centimetre count with bespoke sizes
Standard unit sizes rarely fit a room perfectly. The result is often a narrow filler panel at the end of a run, which looks fine but wastes space you could have used. We offer bespoke sized doors where required, so cabinets can be made to suit your room exactly and all available storage is used. In smaller rooms especially, this can make a noticeable difference. Our article on small kitchen design ideas shows how this works in a compact space.
Hide the clutter
Some of the most useful storage is the kind you do not see.
- A dedicated appliance cupboard keeps toasters, kettles and coffee machines tucked away behind doors.
- Integrated bins and recycling inside a base unit keep the kitchen tidy.
- Drawer inserts for cutlery, utensils and spices stop drawers from becoming jumbled.
- A tray or chopping board slot near the preparation area keeps flat items easy to grab.
In one of our projects for a family who love to entertain, the brief included plenty of drawers and hidden storage. That allowed a five-metre statement island to stay clear and uncluttered, even with a busy household using it every day.
Island storage
An island is a valuable source of storage as well as worktop space. Drawers facing the cooking area can hold pans and utensils right where you need them, while the seating side can be kept clear for legroom. Our kitchen islands guide covers how to balance storage and seating.
Mixing open and closed storage
Open shelving is a lovely way to bring personality into a kitchen, especially at the living or seating end of an open-plan space. In one of our kitchens, open shelves at the entertaining end of the room introduced ornaments and personal touches, softening the overall feel. The key is balance. Open shelves are best used for display rather than everyday storage, as anything on them will gather dust and grease near the hob.
Summary
Good storage makes a kitchen easier to use every single day. Choose deep drawers over cupboards, invest in quality runners and pull-outs, use the full height of the room and make the most of every centimetre with bespoke sizing. Plan around what you own and how you cook, and you will have a kitchen where everything has its place.
For more inspiration on storage, styles and finishes, download our brochure.
FAQs
Are drawers better than cupboards in a kitchen?
For base units, drawers are usually more practical because you can see and reach everything from above without kneeling down. Deep pan drawers are ideal for pots, pans and crockery.
What is the best solution for a kitchen corner cupboard?
A quality pull-out mechanism, such as those made by Kessebohmer, brings the contents of the corner unit out towards you so nothing gets lost at the back.
How can I hide small appliances in my kitchen?
An appliance cupboard with doors or a pocket door system allows you to keep toasters, kettles and coffee machines out of sight while still having them close to hand.
Why does drawer hardware quality matter?
Kitchen drawers carry heavy loads and are opened many times a day. Quality drawer systems from brands like Blum and Hettich keep running smoothly for many years, while cheaper runners can sag and lose their action.
Can kitchen units be made to fit my room exactly?
Yes. We offer bespoke sized doors where required, so units can fit your space precisely and you do not lose storage to filler panels.
