Pull-out Larders
Pull-Out Larders: Making the Most of Your Kitchen Storage
A pull-out larder is an excellent way to organise food and kitchen essentials while making use of tall, narrow areas of cabinetry. Instead of having to reach into the back of a deep cupboard, the entire storage area can be brought towards you.
A pull-out larder is a tall storage unit fitted with shelves or baskets that slide out from the cabinet.
Depending on the design, the storage can be accessed from one or both sides, making it easier to see and reach everything inside.
Why choose a pull-out larder?
A well-planned larder can provide dedicated storage for:
- Tins and jars
- Dry ingredients
- Cereals
- Pasta and rice
- Sauces
- Baking ingredients
- Cooking oils
- Snacks
Keeping similar items together can also make it easier to see what you have and reduce food being forgotten at the back of a cupboard.
Making use of narrow spaces
One of the biggest advantages of pull-out storage is that it can make productive use of areas that might otherwise be difficult to utilise.
Narrow pull-outs can sometimes be incorporated between larger cabinets or appliances, depending on the kitchen design.
Pull-out larder vs traditional cupboard
A conventional cupboard can provide plenty of storage, but items at the back can be difficult to reach.
A pull-out system brings the contents towards you, making the entire cabinet easier to access.
Is a pull-out larder right for your kitchen?
If you want to improve food storage and make better use of vertical space, a pull-out larder is a practical option worth considering.
Corner Storage
Corner Kitchen Storage: Making Difficult Spaces More Useful
Kitchen corners can be some of the most awkward areas to access, but modern storage systems can turn these spaces into valuable parts of your kitchen.
Rather than allowing the corner of a cabinet to become a place where items are forgotten, carefully chosen storage can make the space much easier to use.
Standard corner cupboards can create deep areas that are difficult to reach.
You may find yourself moving several items simply to get to something stored at the back.
Modern corner storage systems are designed to improve accessibility.
Popular corner storage solutions
Depending on the cabinet design, options can include:
- Carousel units
- Rotating shelves
- Pull-out corner mechanisms
- Le Mans-style systems
- Corner drawers
- Magic-corner storage
Each solution works differently, so the best option depends on the size and layout of the cabinet.
Making corner storage practical
Think about what you intend to store in the corner.
Larger items such as pans and kitchen equipment may benefit from deep storage, while smaller everyday items might be better suited to more accessible systems.
Don’t waste the corner
A well-designed kitchen should make use of as much available space as possible without making the room feel crowded.
Good corner storage can increase usable capacity without requiring additional floor space.
Is corner storage worth considering?
If your kitchen has awkward corners, modern storage systems can make a significant difference to both accessibility and organisation.
Pan Drawers
Pan Drawers: Easy-Access Storage for Pots and Pans
Deep drawers have become increasingly popular in modern kitchens because they provide easy access to heavy cookware while making excellent use of cabinet space.
Instead of stacking pans inside a cupboard, deep drawers allow you to see and reach your cookware more easily.
Traditional cupboards can make large pots and pans difficult to access.
A deep drawer allows you to pull the entire contents towards you, making it much easier to find the pan you need.
What can you store in a pan drawer?
Deep drawers can be used for:
- Saucepan sets
- Frying pans
- Stock pots
- Baking dishes
- Roasting trays
- Chopping boards
- Larger kitchen equipment
Positioning your pan drawers
Pan drawers are usually most useful close to the hob or main cooking area.
Keeping cookware near where it is used can reduce unnecessary movement around the kitchen.
Drawer dividers and organisers
Internal organisers can help prevent pans from becoming stacked in an untidy pile.
You can use dividers to separate different sizes of cookware or create dedicated spaces for lids and baking trays.
Are pan drawers better than cupboards?
Neither option is universally better, but deep drawers can provide considerably easier access to heavy and frequently used cookware.
They are particularly useful for people who cook regularly.
Bin Systems
Kitchen Bin Systems: Practical Waste and Recycling Storage
Waste and recycling are an essential part of every kitchen, but that doesn’t mean bins need to be visible or take up valuable floor space.
Integrated kitchen bin systems can keep waste organised while making better use of the available cabinetry.
An integrated bin system is installed inside a kitchen cabinet or drawer, keeping the bins concealed behind the cabinetry.
Different configurations can provide separate containers for general waste, recycling and food waste.
Why choose an integrated bin?
A built-in system can provide:
- A cleaner appearance
- Convenient access
- Dedicated recycling storage
- Better use of cabinet space
- Easier kitchen organisation
Choosing the right size
Consider how much waste your household produces and how often you want to empty the bins.
A smaller household may need a relatively compact system, while a busy family may benefit from multiple larger containers.
Recycling storage
Separate compartments can make it easier to sort different types of waste.
Depending on your local recycling arrangements, you may want separate sections for general waste, food waste and recyclable materials.
Where should the bin be positioned?
Many homeowners choose to locate the bin near the sink or preparation area.
This makes it convenient when preparing food and cleaning up.
Is an integrated bin system worth it?
For many kitchens, an integrated waste system is a simple way to improve organisation while keeping bins out of sight.
Spice Storage
Kitchen Spice Storage Ideas: Keep Ingredients Organised and Accessible
Spices are small, but a poorly organised collection can quickly create clutter. Dedicated spice storage can make it much easier to find ingredients while keeping them close to the area where you prepare and cook food.
Spices are often stored in awkward cupboards or drawers where jars become difficult to see.
Dedicated storage allows you to organise them so that you can quickly identify what you need.
Pull-out spice racks
Narrow pull-out units can provide an excellent solution where space is available beside larger cabinets.
The shelves slide towards you, making the contents easy to see.
Spice drawers
A shallow drawer can also work well.
Laying jars down or using angled inserts can allow labels to remain visible when the drawer is opened.
Wall storage
Open shelves or wall-mounted racks can keep frequently used spices within easy reach.
However, consider whether you want food items on display and how much cleaning the area will require.
Keep spices near the cooking area
The most convenient location is usually close to the hob or main food preparation area.
This reduces the amount of movement required while cooking.
Creating an organised spice collection
Grouping spices alphabetically or by type can make them easier to find.
It’s also worth checking dates regularly and avoiding buying duplicates simply because an existing jar has been hidden at the back of a cupboard.
Cutlery Inserts
Cutlery Inserts: Simple Organisation for Kitchen Drawers
A well-designed cutlery drawer can make everyday life much easier. Rather than allowing knives, forks and spoons to become mixed together, a cutlery insert creates dedicated compartments for different utensils.
A cutlery insert is a tray or organiser fitted inside a kitchen drawer.
It divides the drawer into sections so that individual types of cutlery and utensils have their own designated positions.
Why use a cutlery insert?
Benefits include:
- Better organisation
- Easier access
- Less clutter
- Efficient use of drawer space
- Easier cleaning
Choosing the right size
Measure the internal dimensions of the drawer before choosing an insert.
Some systems can be adjusted or configured to suit different drawer widths.
Beyond knives and forks
Cutlery drawers don’t have to be limited to everyday tableware.
Larger organiser systems can provide dedicated spaces for:
- Serving spoons
- Kitchen utensils
- Whisks
- Measuring spoons
- Cooking tools
Where should your cutlery drawer go?
A drawer close to the dishwasher or main food preparation area can be particularly convenient.
Think about where you naturally reach for cutlery when preparing and serving meals.
Is a cutlery insert worth it?
It’s a relatively simple addition, but a good organiser can make a noticeable difference to the usability of your kitchen.
Internal Drawer Systems
Internal Kitchen Drawer Systems: Hidden Storage Inside Your Cabinets
Internal drawers provide an additional layer of storage within kitchen cabinets. They can be particularly useful for keeping smaller items organised while maintaining a clean appearance on the outside of the kitchen.
An internal drawer sits behind a cabinet door rather than being visible from the outside.
Opening the main cabinet door reveals one or more drawers inside.
This allows you to combine the appearance of traditional cabinetry with the convenience of drawer storage.
Why choose internal drawers?
Internal drawers can be useful for storing:
- Food
- Small kitchen equipment
- Plates
- Containers
- Baking ingredients
- Cleaning supplies
- Smaller everyday items
Internal drawers vs standard drawers
Standard drawers provide immediate access when you open the drawer.
Internal drawers require the cabinet door to be opened first, but they can create a more traditional or streamlined exterior appearance.
This makes them particularly attractive when you want to combine a furniture-style kitchen with modern storage.
Using different drawer depths
A cabinet can sometimes incorporate several internal drawers of different depths.
Shallow drawers can be used for smaller items, while deeper drawers can accommodate larger kitchen equipment.
Keeping the kitchen looking uncluttered
Internal drawers can help maintain clean external lines because the storage is concealed behind the cabinet doors.
This can be particularly effective in Shaker, traditional and furniture-style kitchens.
Are internal drawers right for you?
If you want additional organisation without adding more visible drawers to the kitchen design, internal drawer systems can provide a useful compromise between traditional appearance and modern functionality.
