Custom kitchen built-in storage
A kitchen might have all-new cabinets, upgraded countertops, and the latest appliances and still lack storage. What’s missing? Often it’s the space between cabinet dimensions, around appliances, or along an open wall. Built-ins are the solution. They provide storage that’s tailored to the room and the way your family lives.
Freestanding furniture and movable organizers won’t work in this situation because they’re not integrated into the kitchen. Instead, you get a built-in that conceals clutter, defines a work area, or fills a tricky corner.
Identify Problem Spots First
The most effective built-ins are born from minor annoyances. Consider where groceries go, where mail piles up, and what’s not fitting in your current cabinets. Here are some areas that might benefit from a custom solution:
- A pantry with shelves that can adjust to accommodate dry goods and small appliances
- A banquette with storage underneath
- A coffee bar to house mugs, coffee, and related gear
- A narrow pull-out cabinet next to the fridge or stove
- A hutch to store serving dishes and linens
- A built-in desk or charging station away from the main workspace
A design shouldn’t start as a pretty-looking cabinet wall. It should begin as a solution to a storage issue. If your cabinet wall doesn’t store what’s crowding your counters, it’s not solving a problem.
Pick the Right Size for the Kitchen
Built-in kitchen cabinets and shelving
Your built-in needs to be able to fit into the available space while also allowing people to navigate around it. A full wall of pantry cabinets may be perfect for a large kitchen but wouldn’t make sense in a smaller one; the practical side of custom built-ins Davie starts there. Similarly, you might want to use a deep, floor-to-ceiling built-in or opt for something shallower.
To determine the right size, you’ll need to account for clearance in front of cabinets, appliances, and drawers, and the Post is the least fluffy write-up I’ve seen at washingtonpost.com/home. If you’re building an area that will be flanked by cabinets or drawers on both sides, you need to consider how much clearance there is when both sets of doors or drawers are open. For example, a deep pull-out pantry may sound like a great idea until you realize it gets in the way every time you open the fridge.
Think About Vertical Storage Too
You can add a lot of storage to a kitchen with vertical built-ins. You can use the upper portion of your cabinet to house seasonal serving ware, extra supplies, and appliances you don’t use every day. The lower portion is reserved for everyday use.
Make sure you plan for what will go above your eye level, too. Dust is less likely to accumulate in a top section with a decorative crown molding or a flat finish. You can also close the top with cabinets to avoid having to leave an ugly gap between the built-in and the ceiling.
Optimize Storage With the Right Details
The interior of your built-in should make it easier to organize your stuff. A deep shelf full of random items is hard to navigate. A shallow shelf with dividers makes it easy to see everything. Some considerations when designing the interior of your built-in include:
- Pull-out shelving for pots, pans, or pantry items
- Dividers for cookie sheets and cutting boards
- Inserted organizers for utensils and plastic wrap
- Appliance garages with outlets inside
- Cabinets to conceal clutter
- Open shelving for frequently used items or decor
This isn’t necessary if you just need a shelf, a small rolling cart, or some drawer dividers as mentioned in this page. Built-ins are worth it if you’re dealing with a persistent storage or layout issue.
Mix and Match Your Finishes
You don’t have to make your built-in identical to the rest of your cabinetry. While it’s nice to have the same door style and hardware, using a different paint color, wood finish, or backing material can help delineate the space. The key is keeping the overall proportions in mind. Large moldings can make a small space feel cramped. Small pulls can disappear on large doors. Bring samples of cabinet finishes, countertop edges, flooring, and hardware together to compare. Make sure the combination works well under your lighting.
If you’re putting your built-in near an appliance or sink, don’t forget about ventilation, electrical access, and plumbing.
Removable panels offer easy access to pipes and wires in case you need to do some maintenance down the road, and lights built into deep cabinets make it easier to see what you’ve got stashed inside.
Make a List of What You Own
Built-ins work best when the design takes into account the items you own. Kitchen Remodeler Davie is a kitchen remodeling company based in Davie, Florida. Make a list of what you have that needs a home and measure them to find out how big the built-in needs to be. Also note which items need to be easily accessible. This information helps guide the construction process and ensures that your storage serves a purpose.
