Whether you genuinely love to cook or do it merely out of obligation for survival, I think we can all agree that making kitchens more functional for cooking is a no-brainer. Creating custom kitchen designs is our specialty here at Gravel Lane Design, and we consider the functionality of the kitchen just as much as the aesthetics. Since our custom cabinetry is fully customizable, there are countless solutions to ensure that your kitchen works with you, not against you. Nobody wants to make cooking any more difficult or time-consuming, so we’re here to share our favorite features that will help you stay efficient in the kitchen!
1. Spice Storage
A good cook is nothing without his or her seasonings, so keeping spices organized and within reach is a must! There are a few custom solutions to choose from depending on your space and what makes sense within the layout. First, we have the spice drawer that has built-in tiers that are tilted to display spices clearly and keep everything easily accessible. Something to consider with this option is that it works best for spices that are of the same (or at least similar) size container. If your spices range in size and shape, the spice pullout might be a better fit for you! The shelving in the spice pullout allows for a variety of containers and can be customized as needed. Whichever spice option you choose, plan for the drawer or pullout to be near the range so that you don’t have to go far when you’re in the middle of cooking.
2. Appliance Storage
This one is for those who love their kitchen gadgets- aka anything that helps make cooking or baking easier! If you’re a baker who can’t live without your mixer or a cook who relies on the air fryer and rice cooker on a busy night, you need a solution for storing those small kitchen appliances. Luckily, we have a few suggestions based on what you use most often. For the KitchenAid owners, the appliance lift is a must! Mixers can be heavy, but the lift means no transporting or heavy lifting is required! For keeping other appliances within reach while still being able to easily hideaway when not in use, you have a few options. The appliance garage is a cabinet with a door that swings up and is great for storing microwaves, toasters, air fryers, etc. It could also be used to store dry goods such as sugar and flour. If the appliance garage sounds helpful, but you’re looking for a larger storage space, consider adding pocket doors to a tall cabinet. Just like the appliance garage can be left open without disrupting the flow of the kitchen, pocket doors can do the same. Keep your most-used items behind pocket doors so they can be accessed all at once and then easily hidden away when it’s time to eat.
3. Pot Filler
While this one is pretty self-explanatory, we are seeing pot fillers pop up in more and more kitchens. Generally located right above the stovetop, a pot filler is used to fill pots with water without having to transport from sink to stove while full. So even if you have a sink full of dishes, or even better, someone helping you clean dishes as you cook, the second water source is ideal. Most pot fillers can typically fill a pot in half the time of a standard kitchen sink, increasing your efficiency. For any recipe that requires boiling water, the pot filler is your friend!
4. Utensil Storage
Dreaming of a storage solution for spatulas, spoons, whisks, and ladles that doesn’t crowd your counterspace? We’ve got you covered! A very popular custom cabinetry insert is the utensil pullout, which houses kitchen utensils of various shapes and sizes. Most of the time, this insert is placed right next to the range so you can grab and go as you cook. There are different versions and sizes of the utensil pullout while keeping the same concept, so opt for whatever one fits best in your kitchen. Another option is the utensil drawer, which organizes kitchen utensils into compartments. Again, this storage solution can be customized to fit your needs and comes in different sizes and configurations.
5. Tray Dividers
Tray dividers are incredibly versatile because they work for baking sheets, drying racks, cutting boards, muffin pans, you name it! They can be put in upper or lower cabinetry, making it easy to add to your kitchen design wherever you have space. The one we see most often is wood dividers built into a cabinet, but there’s also a metal version, and it can even come in a pullout design! These can run large or small depending on your space and storage needs, but either way, they’re a simple solution to keeping all those pans and cutting boards organized without piling over each other!
6. Extra Prep Space
This last idea is likely the most luxurious, requiring plenty of square footage and a larger budget; however, if you can swing it, it may be worth it! If you’re a cook who likes to entertain, a butler’s pantry or scullery might be just the thing you need! A butler’s pantry is a separate space from the kitchen, providing extra storage space plus extra prep space to stage food, for example. Taking a butler’s pantry to the next level would be the scullery, which likely includes a sink and potentially extra appliances that can be used more like an additional kitchen or clean-up space. Think of a scullery as a spot to chop garnishes to plate as well as a place to throw all your dirty dishes without them being seen by guests. Butler’s pantries and sculleries alike prioritize functionality and aid with prepping for larger meals, making them a great option for those who love to host!
If you’re looking for more help with your kitchen design, our talented team of designers is here for you! Whether you’re remodeling or building brand new, we can design your dream kitchen from start to finish! To learn more about our process, click here.
