When designing a kitchen, many homeowners focus on selecting beautiful countertops and backsplashes and forget about a cabinet’s interior storage. Enough storage space is critical to any kitchen since it makes the whole kitchen space efficient because of increased functionality. Incorporating a well-designed kitchen cabinet interior storage can maximize overall kitchen storage space and even make items more organized.
The amount of storage you need in your kitchen depends on how many small appliances you use, how often you go grocery shopping – shopping habits, how many people are in your household, and your lifestyle. According to a survey, there are around 360 different activities that happen in the kitchen every day, from grabbing a peeler from a drawer to finding a pot and lid to cook potatoes. That’s a lot of action!
Over 20 years, that adds up to around 2.6 million kitchen activities. So, it’s important to make sure everything you need is in the right spot sometimes called kitchen zones so you can quickly and easily find it when you need it. This will save you time and energy when you’re cooking up a storm!
Kitchen Zones and Layouts
A kitchen zone is a specific area within your kitchen that’s designated for a particular purpose or task. Basically, it’s a way of organizing your kitchen into different functional areas to make it more efficient and easier to use.
For example, you might have a cooking zone that includes your oven, hob, steamer, microwave and any other appliances you use for cooking. Or you might have a preparation zone where you keep your cutting boards, knives, and other tools you use for food prep.
Having kitchen zones can help you work more efficiently by keeping everything you need in one place. Plus, it can make it easier to navigate your kitchen and find what you’re looking for. So, if you’re looking to improve your kitchen’s functionality, consider creating different zones to help you stay organized and efficient.
Here’s a sample design that shows how you might organize your kitchen into different zones:
A kitchen layout with different zones labeled, such as cooking, preparation, cleaning, consumable and non-consumable storage
As you can see, each zone has a specific function and includes the tools and appliances you need for that task. By organizing your kitchen in this way, you can make it more efficient and easier to use, which can save you time and energy in the long run.
What Are the Five (5) Core Kitchen Zones?
1. Consumables Zone
This kitchen zone contains typical consumer goods such as canned goods, rice and pasta as well as refrigerated and frozen foodstuffs. In simple terms most grocery shopping is stored in this zone.
2. Non Consumables Zone
This kitchen zone is used to store items such as dishes, glassware, cutlery, plastic containers and their lids, jugs and pitchers, and a few small appliances. It is also an ideal location for “odds and ends“ storage (i.e. stationary, pens, household paperwork, etc).
3. Cleaning Zone
This zone contains space for waste collection and storage as as well as household cleaners and cleaning utensils. It is also the location of the sink and the dishwasher.
4. Preparation Zone
This zone is the main work area in the kitchen. Most kitchen preparation work takes place here. Items such as; kitchen utensils, knives, small electrical appliances, chopping boards, spices and mixing bowls are all located in the preparation zone.
5. Cooking Zone
This kitchen zone includes the hob, oven, steamer, microwave, extractor hood, pots, pans, cooking utensils and baking trays.
Types of Kitchen Cabinet Interior Storage
There are many types of kitchen cabinet interior storage that you can choose from. Here are some common examples.
1. Drawers
The drawers of a cabinet come in many different sizes and can also be customized for specific needs. You can add them to fit more cutlery and utensils and keep them organized. The most ideal ones for storing larger items are deep drawers since they can accommodate utensils such as pans, pots, and other appliances.
2. Shelves
Shelves can be used to store glasses, dishes and other kitchen utensils. Pull-out shelves are great since they make it easy to access items while adjustable shelves allow you to customize them depending on your height needs.
3. Pull-out Organizers
Pull-out organizers can come in various styles such as pull-out pantry shelves, pull-out spice racks, and pull-out trash cans. They enable your kitchen to be clutter-free and are also great when it comes to accessing utensils kept inside.
4. Lazy Susan
If you have corner cabinets, you can consider installing Lazy Susan because they have circular rotating trays that enable you to access items easily. They come in various sizes and can be used to store items such as pans and pots.
5. Corner Cabinets
Corner cabinets can be installed at the corner of your kitchen to help in maximizing space. They can be further customized with pull-out shelves or Lazy Susan.
6. Spice Racks
Spice racks are a great option for enthusiastic cooks. They can either be simple wire racks or elaborate pull-out shelves. The best part of these racks is that they can even be installed inside cabinets or mounted on cabinet doors to maximize space.
7. Hanging Storage
If you want to maximize the vertical space of your kitchen, consider using hanging storage. These can be mounted on the side of cabinets to store utensils such as pans.
8. Recycling Center
Specialized cabinets that are designed to hold bins to facilitate the separation and recycling of refuse.
Advantages of Kitchen Cabinet Interior Storage
From maximizing space to enhancing functionality, there are various benefits that you can get from using DIY kitchen cabinet interior storage.
1. Maximizes space
The major advantage that you get from using kitchen cabinet interior space is maximizing space. Interior storage enables you to use every inch of the available space in your kitchen. You will reduce clutter and countertops and keep several items inside the cabinet.
2. Enhances functionality
When everything is kept where it is supposed to be, you will have easy access to all the kitchen items and prepare meals quickly. As a result, your kitchen will become more functional and user-friendly. You will not have to spend a lot of time looking for what you need. Your kitchen experience will become more enjoyable with time.
3. Keeps kitchen organized
When you have more storage areas in your kitchen, you can reduce clutter and keep everything organized. As a result, your kitchen will look more streamlined and tidy. This makes your space easier to maintain and clean.
4. Increases home value
Investing in cabinet interior storage is a great idea for increasing the value of your home. Buyers are always looking for an organized, functional, and easy-to-use kitchen. Incorporating these storage ideas will make your kitchen attractive to potential buyers and increase its resale value.
Maintenance of Kitchen Cabinet Interior Storage
For your storage solutions to work efficiently, you need to have them well-maintained for them to last many years. Here are some tips that you can use on your kitchen cabinet interior storage.
1. Regular cleaning
Regular cleaning is a critical step to maintaining your storage space. Over time, drawers and cabinets accumulate dirt, grease, and dust which make them less functional and hygienic.
To clean them, you can first empty all the contents and use a soft cloth with warm soapy water to wipe the surfaces. Do not use abrasive cleaners that can scratch the surface and affect the finish. After you are done with wiping, let it dry and then replace all the components.
2. Proper usage
The biggest mistake that homeowners make when storing items is placing items that cannot fit well in cabinets. For instance, some items are heavy and cannot sit well on light cabinets. Over time, the cabinet will be damaged and worn out.
While storage solutions are designed to last long, it is critical to keep the right items in specific cabinets. The best advice that you can apply is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about the usage of cabinets and smart cabinet and countertop ideas. For instance, do not overload them beyond their weight capacity. Also, avoid slamming doors or drawers since it can damage the hinges or any other kitchen cabinet accessories.
3. Repair and replacement
No matter how well you use the kitchen cabinets, they will at one time require repair or replacement. For instance, hinges may become loose over time or drawers may become difficult to open.
If you notice such issues, you need to address them immediately by finding a professional to fix them. In some cases, you will notice that you can fix some things by yourself.
All that is needed is paying attention to any places that may need repair.
Final thoughts
Kitchen cabinet interior storage is a critical component of your kitchen because it dictates how organized and functional the space is. From drawers to pull-out shelves and spice racks, there is plenty of ideas and solutions that you can apply to enhance your kitchen functionality.
However, be attentive to proper maintenance and repairs whenever they are needed to ensure that the efficiency of the interior storage lasts for some years.
Remember to invest in high-quality storage solutions while choosing kitchen cabinets if you want to enjoy a well-organized and beautiful kitchen. The above guidelines will enhance your kitchen experience and enhance your daily life altogether.
