Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
If there’s one place in the home that can always use more storage, it’s the kitchen. With piles of cookware, appliances, gadgets and food, it can feel like an impossible place to keep organised. Fortunately, the 2015/2016 interior trend forecasts have been dominated by unique kitchen storage solutions. Here are a few of my favourites:
Pantries & Larders
Many homes are being built without this useful space, but a love of all things nostalgic has brought the pantry back into fashion. The modern equivalent is a compact, free-standing pantry, designed to take up minimal floor space whilst offering an eye-watering amount of storage.
With features like door-mounted storage, in-built spice and wine racks and sliding drawers, pantries are a must-have for kitchens big and small!
Open Shelving
People are opting for open shelving as a stylish alternative to wall-mounted cabinets. Opinion is divided on whether or not this trend is practical, but those who have tried this look claim there are benefits.
Open shelving can offer more storage space than traditional cabinets. The open space can help a room feel larger and brighter. And, displaying pretty dishes and food in glass Kilner jars will add a touch of homely charm to your kitchen.
Bar Carts and Trolleys
Bar carts are cool, there’s no doubt about that. But aside from boasting heaps of James Bond-esque style, carts and trolleys are endlessly useful in the kitchen too.
Multiple shelves provide lots of space for storing cooking supplies, dishware or indeed the contents of your liquor cabinet. Wheels mean the cart is portable, so you can use it to carry food in at dinner parties, or simply move it out of the way when you’re cooking. And they’re often quite petite, so they’ll fit in a corner without complaint.
Pots, Plates and Utensils
If you’ve ever opened a cupboard door and found yourself buried under an avalanche of pots, you’ll know how impractical this way of storing them is. Forget rummaging around to find the right pan, and its matching lid; keep them all neatly organised and within reach with a hanging rack.
Similarly, utensils stuffed haphazardly in a drawer inevitably leads to frustration. I recommend installing a hanging rod – an elegant bar and hook system – above the oven so your utensils are always to hand. A utensil jar next to the hob is equally effective, if you have plenty of counter space.
Plate racks fell out of vogue some time after the 1980s, but they’re back in fashion as people realise how truly useful they were. Wall-mounted plate racks are stylish and practical, but may take up more room than you have. In-cupboard plate racks are a great alternative and easy to install.
