Top 10 Solutions to Awkward Kitchen Spaces
Glass Shelving and Drawer Built-Ins
This simple and streamline solution gives you optimal balance of open shelving and closed drawer storage. Removing the need to dust, the black iron frames and glass doors give an open feel and space to feature your favourite serving ware. The drawers underneath provide endless storage opportunities and visually extend your kitchen. The best part to this solution is that the unit doesn’t need to be full depth, so if you have an awkward little nook that doesn’t match your 24” deep units this is a great way to make your space feel so much bigger and continue the millwork from your main kitchen!
2. Cookbook Nook
This solution can be as simple as a cut out in your wall, or incorporate a more intentional full-scale concept, but the idea remains the same. If you can carve out enough space to stack your favourite set of cookbooks or feature a nostalgic cooking item, this is the solution for you. Small but mighty, this is a great solution for small spaces.
3. Get Creative with Brass Rods
If you have a slim space and are looking to add visual interest without the bulk, this is. great solution. Back the space in tile, coordinating millwork to your kitchen, or bead board to add interest, Pop on some slim shelves and add brass rods to hold plates, cookbooks, or whatever your heart desires.
4. Larders
The opportunities for this option are endless! Whether you have a large space adjacent to your kitchen or a small corner looking for purpose, a larder is the perfect solution to hide unsightly appliances, create a snack corner for kids, or additional pantry storage. Simply tuck the doors to the side and slide them back into themselves for use, or close it up tight to hide clutter.
5. Ditch the Corner Cupboard for Windows
All too often we feel the need to oblige the corner upper cupboard, but here I am giving you permission to ditch the traditional route and take that space for added windows. Gone are the days of having a small kitchen sink window, this solution allows light to flood your space by maximizing window space and gives you a nice little corner to feature items. Let’s be honest, who climbs up to dig through that corner cupboard anyway?!
6. Take it to the Ceiling
Not often thought of are those extra inches above your head. Even if you don’t need the storage, pull a bulkhead feature in matching millwork down from the ceiling to meet your kitchen uppers. Or take storage right up to the ceiling. Filling this dark space in so many existing kitchens allows light to hit all the way up, heightening the room visually and giving your eye a space to rest.
7. Add a Study Nook
Whether you have kids or not, we live in a world where access to our screens is all the more relevant to daily life. That doesn’t mean we want to have it in our faces all the time. Crete a nook that tucks all of your electronics out of sight when not in use. This solution also works well if you’d like a supervised area for a family computer.
8. Less is More
Sometimes the solution isn’t added storage, but simply added visual interest. Quite often you’ll have that end of your kitchen that bridges into a living or dining space and adding uppers or further storage solutions would only add unwanted visual bulk. Take action by extending your counter material up the wall, and jetting it out slightly at the 18” mark for a micro shelf. This keeps the space nice and open but makes the choice intentional.
9. Add a Pet Cubby
Make space for your furry friends with a water and food station suited just for them. Integrate bulk air tight bins into the storage space above to keep food fresh and have your plumber run a line for a water bowl. Voila, no more packing unsightly heavy pet bags twice a day.
10. Create Bulk Dry Storage
Do you love to cook and find your kitchen lacking space to store all your dry goods? Add storage solutions to amplify the marketplace feel of your pantry. This can be as simple as open shelving for beautiful glass storage or integrating thoughtful temperature controlled storage units for onions and potatoes. Either way, you’ll love entering your pantry to “shop” your ingredients when they haven’t simply been shoved into that bottom corner cupboard like we are all guilty of doing.
HELLO
I’M PAIGE GRAY
Here with a big dream to bring inspired, livable, and approachable design to you wherever you dwell across Canada. Designer, blogger, content creator, and mother of soon-to-be two daughters living with my hubby in the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia. Loving boat rides, climbing mountains, and life with our dogs while diving deep into anything and everything design!