While bells and whistles may have once been what sold a kitchen design, nowadays consumers are taking a more "back to basics" approach to the heart of their homes, and storage is no exception. Efficiency and access, of course, are still top of mind, but as Kalpesh Nanji, manager of Product Development for Armstrong Cabinet Products, noted, "People are focused on what makes more sense."


SPACE PLANNER

What makes sense, however, can depend in part on geography. In New York City, for example, where kitchens are notoriously tiny, extending all upper cabinetry to the ceiling might seem like the logical solution, but in fact, according to Benjamin Huntington, ASID, of MH Studio, clients are also asking for open shelving, which helps enhance the illusion of more space. "I think part of that is because we've become much more selective about how we store and what we store," he said. "Anything you can do to improve visual space is seized upon almost immediately." Other "tricks of the trade" include increasing the height of backsplashes and raising toekicks.

This may mean less valuable cabinet space for keeping items out of sight, but as Huntington pointed out, kitchen cabinet manufacturers are offering their lines with "much more sophisticated storage options" that take the guesswork out of organizing. Pullouts of all types continue to be popular, as are old standbys such as lazy susans, tip-out trays and glide-out shelving that makes full use of corner cabinets. But for Huntington, features like two-tiered drawers and modular storage systems, such as those from European cabinet companies, which offer a wide array of drawer inserts, along with custom containers and accessories, are of particular interest, as they "really take advantage of every little bit of additional space" in an urban kitchen.


KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Beyond the urban kitchen, most manufacturers agree that the focus on practicality has found a new must-have for any kitchen: the humble pullout waste bin and/or recycling center. Though not particularly sexy, its appeal is simple enough. "The sustainable kitchen is really big," said Shari McPeek, marketing director for Rev-A-Shelf, "and people want to get involved, so built-in recycling centers are being made a part of everyday life." Also in demand are larger, deeper drawers for easier retrieval of pots and pans, as well as pullout pantries that offer greater visibility of stored items. Units with trays for bottoms, instead of wire, provide more stability, and at-home chefs can now prep, cook and clean with ease, thanks to complete storage collections designed to support each of the kitchen's different work zones.

Storage is also keeping pace with larger trends such as Universal Design. On this front, shelving connected to lift systems provides users who have limited arm strength with easier access to items stored in wall cabinets, said Daniel Tripp, product marketing manager for Häfele. And with recycled glass countertops gaining interest, McPeek suggests that glass may be the "it" material for creating a more cohesive look. Stainless steel and chrome, of course, remain the finishes of choice, along with wood in various finishes. In addition, with home offices and messaging centers becoming more commonplace, Nanji has seen a growing interest in repurposing kitchen storage accessories for sorting mail and even concealing computer equipment.

Such adaptations are to be expected with the new streamlined mentality. While a heightened sense of selectivity may mean that more luxe features like toekick drawers are on the wane, there's always room for reinvention and creativity.






























[1] Surprisingly (or not), pullout waste and recycling bins are the new must-haves for any kitchen. Rev-A-Shelf's Model 4WCBM is a bottom-mount design with a maple finish and the Rev-A-Motion soft-open and soft-close system. The unit is offered in five sizes for use with 15-, 18- and 24-in. base cabinets, as well as 15- and 21-in. full-height cabinets. [2] European cabinet manufacturers are offering a wide array of storage options to keep kitchen clutter at bay and enable designers to provide their clients with the open shelving they desire. Poggenpohl, for example, offers a variety of inserts and chef's tools, such as a bread bin, which consists of a red clay lid and base, along with a cutting board and grid base (shown). [3] With Universal Design gaining momentum, Häfele has introduced the Pegasus cabinet lift system, which allows users to access items stored in wall cabinets by pulling on a handle. Ideal for those with weak arm strength, the system can accommodate different weights, thanks to a rotating adjuster, and is shown here with the company’s Arena non-slip shelving in maple and champagne finishes. [4] SieMatic's SmartDesign kitchen cabinet collections get their "intelligence" in part from the MultiMatic organization system, which comprises 22 accessories that range from see-through canister drawers and flexible shelving to bottle racks, spice baskets, silverware pullouts and holders for items such as coffee filters, napkins and plastic lids. [5] Varenna also offers several accessory trays and organizational inserts for all of its kitchen cabinet lines. Available in maple or wenge, the units can be outfitted with a variety of stainless-steel "add-ons" such as canisters, knives and even scales, all designed to fit comfortably in drawers with minimal waste of space. [6] Just as more kitchens are incorporating home offices, storage accessories typically found in kitchen cabinetry, such as this chrome pullout basket (Model 533012CR) from Armstrong Cabinet Products, are also being adapted for organizing mail and keeping shredders and CPUs easily accessible when needed and concealed when not. The basket is shown inside a desk computer base cabinet (Model DCB15).