Independent homes
Kitchen Storage Design for Independent homes
Plan storage around frequency of use and the route between use and return. Measure the actual items, including handles and cases.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Sort items into daily, occasional and surplus stock, then measure each group's largest pieces.
- Place daily items at the point of use and reserve a separate area for overflow or refills.
- Choose shelf spans, pull-outs and closures only after checking how items are loaded and removed.
Worked example
Tall oil bottles and a countertop mixer do not fit the shallow drawers planned beside the hob.
Measure the actual bottles and mixer with attachments; reserve a tall pull-out for oils and a reachable shelf for the appliance.
How to test it
Put the largest item into a mock-up and remove it with the adjacent doors or work surfaces in use.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Separate hot cooking, wet cleanup and pantry access; keep the yard route clear of the work zone.
- Detail
- Use robust counter surfaces, task lighting and a ventilated pantry for dry goods.
- Trade-off
- An open kitchen improves connection but carries cooking noise and smells into living space.
- Trace grocery and waste routes
- Check daylight and exhaust outlet location
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