Storage is one of the most important factors to consider when designing your dream kitchen. You’re bound to have lots of items you need to find homes for and the challenge is to organise everything practically and functionally, but without sacrificing a polished look. A cluttered kitchen is not somewhere you’ll enjoy being!
Here at Harvey Jones, we have over 45 years’ experience in designing bespoke kitchens, so we’ve encountered all the storage options on the market. Let’s break down some of the smartest storage solutions so you can make the most out of your space in a stylish fashion.
How to store cutlery in drawers
Draw dividers
This is the most common way to store your cutlery, but there are still a few things to consider for maximum efficiency. For example, the material. Sturdy plastic is easy to clean, while wood provides a more natural look (bamboo is also a good choice if you want an eco-friendly choice). You may even want a soft material such as velvet to cushion and protect your best silverware.
Then you need to think about the layout. How many sections will you require? Will each section be the same size or will there be some variation (a smaller compartment for teaspoons, for instance)? Is it more efficient to arrange cutlery vertically, horizontally, or perhaps even diagonally?
Layering
A single drawer may not be enough if you have a lot of cutlery. In this case, think about layering trays on top of each other so your everyday cutlery is easily accessible on the top layer, while the pieces you use less frequently will be stored safely beneath. An alternative is to opt for two-tier drawers if you have the space. This will allow you to grab anything you need with ease and this sophisticated look is sure to impress your guests.
Vertical storage
Using tall drawer dividers rather than standard horizontal ones is an excellent storage option if you have deep drawers. You can simply grab whatever you need – but you’ll have to be very careful to make sure knives are stored with the blades downwards to avoid accidents. As such, this is probably not a wise option if you have small children.
Sleeves
Rather than separating cutlery into fork, knife and spoon compartments, you could use fabric sleeves to store complete fork-knife-spoon sets. This approach will make setting the table a seamless task.
How to store cutlery without drawers
Countertop pots
Ensure your cutlery is easily accessible by storing them in pots on your countertop. These containers will take up a bit of space in your cooking zone, but they can also act as decorative features. For example, storing cutlery in glass jars will catch the light and help your kitchen appear brighter, while you can also experiment with colour, material, and pattern to complement the look of your kitchen, or clash with it if you’re after a fun, modern look. Alternatively, you could use pots to store cutlery in your cupboard.
Inset storage
A variation in the approach is to incorporate inset storage bins directly into the kitchen countertop. This is just as convenient but more discrete, so you may favour this storage option if you’d rather keep cutlery out of sight. Think carefully about positioning. For instance, if you eat in the kitchen, make sure these storage bins are close to your dining table so you can grab cutlery quickly and easily when serving a meal.
Hanging
Hanging your cutlery up will add a quirky twist to your kitchen. You could try hanging baskets from hooks or use a rail or a pegboard to organise your knives, forks and spoons. If you don’t want them displayed out in the open, hanging cutlery inside a cupboard is a smart storage option.
How to store kitchen utensils
The storage suggestions above will work for your kitchen utensils as well as your cutlery, but here are a few alternative methods.
Magnetic strips
These are commonly used to display knives but will hold all your metal utensils like ladles and whisks. A magnetic strip will save you drawer, cupboard and countertop space and is helpful when it comes to storing awkwardly shaped kitchen utensils, but this may not be the safest option.
Drawer knife block
If you’d rather keep your knives safe and secure and have extra drawer space, you could use an insert knife block to keep them organised. This is ideal if you’re a keen cook and have lots of knives in different shapes and sizes to store.
Hidden buckets
Rather than storing your utensils on your countertops, a great space-saving solution is a slimline pullout cabinet. Inside, you can tuck your utensils away in buckets on the top shelf. A pullout cabinet may also be able to help you make use of wasted space in awkwardly shaped kitchens, but ideally you’ll have this installed near your cooker so all your utensils are within easy reach.
How to store glasses in the kitchen
Stack
Everyday glasses like tumblers should fit snugly on top of each other if they come as a set, allowing you to make the most of the space in your kitchen cupboard.
Hang
Wine and cocktail glasses are great for hanging upside down because of their slender stems. This method also prevents dust and dirt from collecting inside, which is useful for glasses like these that you may not use every day. It also separates the glasses and stops them from knocking together, but this separation also means you might not be able to store as many compared to putting them on a shelf.
Divide
You could make more cupboard space by installing a shelf within a shelf for your smallest glasses. Make sure they fit beneath and on top of the shelf to double your storage potential.
Display
Glasses can look beautiful displayed on shelves in the kitchen. They’ll immediately brighten up the room by catching the light and can add interest if they’re in a selection of colours. However, they probably will gather dust so it’s not recommended that you use this method for glasses you don’t use often.
Explore storage options with Harvey Jones
Now you have some inspiration, why not get in touch? We’d love to help you incorporate some of these smart storage solutions and create a kitchen that works for you in all senses. Take a look at these examples of our favourite kitchen storage options.
