Mega Storage Kitchen Cabinets

When you have a case of “anti-upperitis,” think about mega storage kitchen cabinets instead.

A pal of mine coined the term “anti-upperitis” to express her dislike for traditional upper cabinets in kitchens. I don’t like upper cabinets either! Without uppers, the question becomes how to create ample kitchen storage space instead? The answer is what I call “mega storage kitchen cabinets” — basically is a sizeable floor-to-ceiling built ins. There are a variety of configurations and each one may have very special features. Not surprisingly, this whole-wall cabinet style was often found in Victorian kitchens and in butler’s pantries because the Victorians loved tableware and had a great number of specialized pieces on hand.

This approach requires space and, in an elegant Dallas kitchen [top and below] four banks of cabinets occupy what looks to be a 12- to 15-foot long wall. The cabinets have a quartet of drawers topped by four sets of glass door cabinets in the upper section. This solid wall is lovely but not super clever — older examples often have pull outs which resemble cutting boards between the upper and lower sections that were useful for setting objects down or as for decorative details such as flower vases or candles. But no matter. The very top of this one also has four sets of glass-door soffit cabinets, normally lighted and used for display, though here the upper shelf of the main unit is dedicated to that purpose.

Another view of the cabinet wall provides a better view of the drawers – three slim drawers handy for cutlery and linen storage are set over a deeper drawer for serving dishes or other medium-size items.

In a country kitchen by designer Steven Gambrel, a spacious glass front cabinet is constructed in the style of a commercial display case with beefy interior wood shelves and hinged doors. While the entire front is glass, the upper doors are tall single panes over somewhat squatty bottoms. What’s interesting is that the cabinet has no solid back, instead it’s set against a pale luminous tile wall that gives it an almost magical quality. I do love this one.

Intriguing blue-gray painted cabinets in a country style kitchen by Maine designer Jeanne Rapone have a twist that might be easily missed. This big cupboard lines up perfectly with the adjacent window and also includes glass-door uppers topped by soffit cabinets. But, a careful look at the bottom section reveals that it’s pulled back – less deep than the adjacent 24-inch base cabinet. Notice how the stack of drawers below the window is deeper? Reducing the depth of the bottom cabinets doesn’t restrict storage enormously and provides a more ample aisle for the island. A single row of drawers in the base is useful in this space with additional storage below.

A kitchen in Spain takes advantage of immensely tall ceilings often encountered in centuries-old buildings, How?  By doubling up. The glossy, black-painted unit has a single row of drawers on the bottom topped by a white counter and backsplash. Above, upper cabinets are simply stacked. Surely there’s a ladder somewhere plus a helper. It’s a a bit of a towering proposition but clever arrangement and very handsome work by top Spanish designer Lorenzo Castillo, who was well introduced at the Habitually Chic blog.

(Source: vfinehomes, srgambrel, decorpad, habituallychic)

Copy and Paste to Quick-Share this Post:  http://bit.ly/MMVtds