The kitchen island is the perfect place for extra storage and organization in any kitchen. With some clever design and storage solutions, you can maximize the storage potential of your kitchen island and keep it looking stylish. We will explore 24 unique and creative kitchen island storage ideas to inspire your next kitchen remodel or storage makeover.
Utilize Baskets for Entryway Storage
Baskets offer an easy way to corral items in a stylish way. Place various sized baskets on open shelves or in cubbies on an island to hold fruits, vegetables, cookbooks, and other kitchen items. This is a perfect idea for entryway islands that act as a landing zone between outside and the kitchen. The neutral tones of natural rattan, wood, or black wire baskets compliment any decor style.
Incorporate Drawers
Drawers are one of the most effective forms of kitchen storage. Deep and wide drawers can hold pots, pans, cooking utensils, containers, and more. Consider using partitions, dividers or tray organizers inside drawers to divide up the space. Soft-close gliding drawers provide a sense of luxury while pulling open to reveal contents neatly organized. Go for drawers in lieu of cabinets whenever possible for easy access.
Use Pull-Out Shelving
Make the most of the interior island space by installing pull-out shelves in base cabinets. Pull-out shelves provide better visibility and access to items that often get lost in the back of cabinets. Consider using pull-out shelves in corner base cabinets or blind corner base cabinets. Adding adjustable pull-out shelves to upper cabinets is also an option to increase storage capacity.
Create an Easy-Access Pantry
Converting one side of the kitchen island into a walk-in pantry creates a brilliant storage solution. Install adjustable shelves and rods to hold all types of ingredients, boxes, cans, bags and containers. You can use see-thru containers, bins and baskets to organize the space. Slide-out drawers are useful for holding smaller items that tend to get buried on shelves.
Add an Appliance Garage
An appliance garage is a cabinet with a roll-up or retractable door, used to conceal small countertop appliances when not in use. Integrate an appliance garage into an island to store items like a stand mixer, blender, toaster, etc. This frees up counter space while hiding the messy look and cords of appliances. Choose matching cabinet fronts for a streamlined appearance.
Use Open Shelving
The casual and rustic look of open shelving lends itself perfectly to kitchen islands. Mixing open and closed cabinetry creates visual interest and allows you to store frequently-used items for easy access. Use open shelves to display beautiful dishware, cookbooks, decorative items or baskets. The airy look keeps an open floorplan from feeling too closed in.
Hang a Pot Rack
Pot racks or hanging racks maximize unused vertical space above an island. Store pots, pans and utensils on a hanging rack to keep them accessible and free up drawers and cabinets for other items. Choose from multi-level hanging racks or industrial rail systems with adjustable hooks. A hanging rack adds character and makes a bold design statement in a contemporary kitchen.
Install Appetizing Wine Storage
Any wine connoisseur will appreciate having wine storage built right into the kitchen island. Options include a wine fridge, racking for bottles, stemware holders, built-in wine cubby, or a full-height wine cabinet. Keeping wine easily accessible in the kitchen island eliminates the need for a separate wine cellar. Show off beautiful stemware and wine labels while enjoying a glass during meal prep.
Display China and Glassware
Use interior cabinets with glass doors on the kitchen island to elegantly display fine china, glassware and serving pieces. The translucent glass allows the contents to shine while protecting them from dust. Place delicate glassware on glass shelves and line up dishes on interior shelves. Spotlights or LED lighting illuminate contents and create a focal point.
Add a Cutlery Drawer
The kitchen island is a convenient place for storing silverware and cooking tools within reach. Design a wide drawer to function solely as a designated cutlery drawer. Use sectioned cutlery trays, dividers and organizers to neatly arrange contents and find items quickly. Deep drawers can hold large cooking utensils and gadgets when not in use.
TryOpen Shelving with Hooks
Alternating between open and closed storage creates visual interest on a kitchen island while offering the best of both worlds. Install open shelves with hanging rods or hooks underneath for versatility. Use the shelves to display decorative objects and baskets, while utilizing the hooks to hang utensils, mugs, dishtowels and more. The airy open shelves prevent a crowded, heavy look.
Incorporate a Message Center
Family life is busy. Make the island the information hub and install a message center for the whole family to utilize. This could include a framed chalkboard or dry erase board, a cork board, memo pads and bulletin boards. Use the space to jot down notes, meal plans, schedules, to-do lists, and reminders. Consolidating this type of communication minimizes clutter on the rest of the kitchen counters.
Include File Storage
Don’t forget the importance of file storage, even in the kitchen. Tuck away files, paperwork, receipts, manuals and other documents in a file drawer or cabinet built into the end of an island. Use file folders, dividers and labels to organize paper goods for easy access later. Keeping office supplies and papers organized in the kitchen clears clutter elsewhere in the home.
Craft a Coffee Station
For the coffee lover, devote an area of your kitchen island to coffee and tea storage. Install hooks below the cabinets to hold mugs. Include drawers or pull-out shelves for coffee beans, grounds, sweeteners, flavorings, teas, filters, and any accessories. Having everything readily available in one spot makes the morning coffee ritual smooth and simple.
Under Cabinet Spice Storage
Maximize vertical storage space by installing swing-out spice racks under kitchen island cabinets. Mount them under the upper cabinets and fill them with all your favorite herbs and spices for cooking. The door front keeps your collection out of sight but easily accessible. Consider incorporating lighting on the interior to brightly illuminate spices when the door is open.
Designate Space for Snacks
Families with kids will appreciate having an island snack station. Designate a drawer or shelves specifically for healthy snack options. This could include granola bars, pretzels, crackers, dried fruit, squeeze pouches, juice boxes and string cheese. Keep snacks in clear jars or baskets so kids can see exactly what’s available. Having quick snacks within reach prevents constant pantry raids.
Add Secret Storage
Hidden storage spaces add an intriguing element to a kitchen island. Try a pull-out butter compartment inside a drawer front or a secret compartment concealed behind a cabinet front. Hide valuables or frequently used items to keep your island design streamlined. Just be sure to remember where those secret compartments are located!
Use Lift-Up Counters
Counter-height kitchen islands often waste the space below where a stool can’t fit comfortably. Solve that problem with a lift-up counter on one side of the island. Simply raise the counter to access integrated storage cubbies and shelves for items like cookbooks, small appliances and food processors. Lower the solid wood counter back into place for a seamless look when not in use.
Include Cabinets with Interior Organizers
The interior space of base cabinets and drawers goes unused if not equipped with organizational tools. Take advantage by installing pull-out cabinet shelves, lazy Susans, dividing trays, acrylic holders, spice racks, utensil trays and adjustable inner shelving. Visually divide a large cabinet into sections to hold taller items like stand mixers, stock pots and food processors.
Try Movable Interior Shelves
Similarly, make the most of interior cabinet space with adjustable shelves. Movable shelves allow you to customize the configurations inside cabinets to accommodate various size items. Install extra shelving divided into smaller sections to hold an array of ingredients, pans and small appliances while keeping them all visible. Adjust shelf heights as needed.
Built-In Recycling Center
An island can serve as the central recycling station, keeping containers out of sight. Install a cabinet with interior bins for separating recyclables from regular trash. Use bins that are easy to remove and empty into larger bins stored outside. This also helps teach kids the habit of properly separating recyclables from trash.
Utilize Vertical Space
Besides hanging pot racks over an island, get creative with vertical storage on the sides. Install hanging racks or rails to hold cooking utensils and frequently used items like dishtowels, oven mitts and aprons. Mounting slim shelves on the side of upper cabinets can hold small gadgets, spices, oils and other skinny items. Take advantage of every inch of unused vertical space.
Add Magnetic Knife Storage
Every kitchen needs a designated knife storage area for safety and convenience. Take advantage of the hidden space between the countertop and upper cabinets by attaching magnetic knife strips to the side of the island. Store knives of all sizes with the blades facing down. Choose wood, stainless steel or magnetic strips that complement your decor. Keep sharp knives secure but within easy reach.
Incorporate Adjustable Shelving
When installing shelving on the interior or sides of an island, consider using adjustable shelves. Adjustable shelves allow you to customize storage configurations now and change them if needed down the road. You can accommodate a wide range of object sizes and move shelves up or down as your storage needs evolve. The flexibility is the key!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some small kitchen island storage ideas?
Some great small kitchen island storage ideas include drawers, open shelving, hooks, hanging racks, interior organizers like lazy susans and trays, and magnetized knife strips. Vertical space can be maximized with floating shelves.
How much storage should a kitchen island have?
There is no magic formula, but in general try to maximize the storage potential of your island. Use a combination of cabinets, shelves, drawers, interior organizers, and racks. Have storage options accessible from all sides to take full advantage of the island’s footprint.
What should you not store in a kitchen island?
Avoid storing anything extremely heavy that could make the island unstable and tip over. Don’t store poisonous or flammable chemicals. Islands are not ideal for oversized appliances and cookware like stockpots that are heavy to lift and difficult to access.
What is the most functional kitchen island design?
The most functional island combines open and enclosed storage, uses gliding drawers for easy access, incorporates interior organizers, includes an eating area, and provides storage accessibility from all sides. durable countertops that can withstand daily use are also key.
What is the proper height for a kitchen island?
The standard kitchen island height is 36 inches. For a dining area, allow for at least 24 inches of clearance between the island counter and the next lowest surface. For a bar area, allow for a 10-12 inch overhang or clearance. Consult your local building codes for requirements.
Conclusion
With some creativity and smart storage solutions, it is possible to maximize the storage potential of any kitchen island. Use a combination of open and concealed storage designs, take advantage of interior and vertical spaces, incorporate specialty organizational products, and select durable countertops and hardware. With these 24 clever kitchen island storage ideas, you can create a functional and organized island that suits your cooking and entertaining needs. Experiment with different options to find the right island storage fit for your personal style.