From bustling family homes to compact beach houses, these are the kitchen storage must-haves every East Gippsland household should consider.
1. Deep, soft-close drawers
Out go the awkward lower cupboards, in come wide, deep drawers.
These are ideal for pots, pans, plates and even pantry goods.
2. Pull-out pantry units
Perfect for tight spaces, pull-out pantries let you use every centimetre of vertical space.
These tall, narrow shelves slide out smoothly, offering access to spices, tins and dry goods with ease.
They’re especially handy near cooktops or beside the fridge.
3. Corner carousels or magic corners
Corner cabinets are notorious for wasted space, but not anymore.
Install a rotating carousel shelf or a clever magic corner unit, which swings out to reveal hidden items and maximises deep, tricky corners.
These systems are a must for smaller kitchens or anyone keen to make the most of their layout.
4. Overhead cabinets with vertical lift
Rather than traditional hinged doors, many new kitchens now feature vertical lift doors or bi-fold overhead cabinets.
These reduce clutter at head height and are ideal for storing glassware, baking gear, or less-used appliances.
5. Hidden appliance cupboards
Toasters, blenders and kettles are kitchen staples, but they don’t need to live on the benchtop.
Appliance garages are built-in cupboards with a lift-up or roll-up door that hide small appliances while keeping them easily accessible.
6. Under-sink organisers
The cupboard beneath the sink is often messy and underused.
Today’s designers are making the most of it with pull-out trays, bin systems and customised shelving that wrap around plumbing.
7. Built-in spice racks and drawer inserts
For serious cooks, spice organisation is key.
Built-in spice racks, either in drawers or slim pull-out cabinets near the stove, keep flavours accessible and alphabetised.
8. Vertical tray and bakeware storage
Say goodbye to stacking baking trays and chopping boards in wobbly piles.
Instead, use vertical dividers inside cupboards or above ovens to keep trays upright and easy to grab.
9. Butler’s pantry or walk-in larder
If space allows, a butler’s pantry is the gold standard in modern kitchen storage.
These walk-in spaces house everything from food supplies to appliances, prep benches and even sinks.
10. Open shelving used wisely
While closed cabinets rule for most storage, a touch of open shelving adds warmth and personality.
Use it for cookbooks, favourite mugs, or display-worthy crockery – but avoid overcrowding.
Open shelves are best used sparingly and always paired with practical closed storage below.
A well-designed kitchen isn’t just beautiful — it’s built to work hard.
