7 Categories of Storage Kitchen Cabinet Design Tips for a Clutter-free Home
There is an excessive amount of clutter in the house, and just having storage cabinets is far from enough -- the cabinets need to be designed properly. This article summarizes seven categories of whole-house storage cabinet design tips to help you easily organize your belongings.
1.Entryway Cabinet
The entryway serves as the face of a home and creates the first impression for guests. Despite its small size, it plays a crucial role in storage. To ensure effective organization, consider the following design elements for an entryway cabinet.
Cabinet dimensions: Opt for a floor-to-ceiling design to maximize storage space. The depth of the shoe cabinet should accommodate the largest shoe size, typically around 35cm. Include adjustable shelves inside to accommodate shoes of different heights.
Open middle section: Incorporate an open space in the middle of the cabinet where you can easily place items like bags and keys upon entering. This area can also serve as a display zone for decorative items or artwork.
Bottom clearance: Leave a 10-15cm gap between the cabinet and the floor for convenient storage of frequently used shoes. You can also incorporate a built-in bench for comfortable shoe changing.
Sensor lighting: Installing sensor lighting strips in the entryway cabinet not only fulfills the illumination needs but also adds a decorative touch, creating a more ceremonial entrance.
2.TV Cabinet
The living room is one of the most frequently used areas in the house and also needs to provide storage. The TV cabinet is an excellent choice for wall-to-wall storage. Consider the following tips for designing a TV cabinet.
Cabinet background wall: If you have a TV, consider embedding it in the cabinet with a 10cm gap all around for future replacements. For households using a projection system, the entire wall can be utilized for storage, and handle-free designs create a sleeker look. The cabinet depth can range between 20cm and 30cm, depending on your usage requirements.
The 80/20 storage principle: When designing the TV cabinet, follow the 80/20 principle, where 80% of the mess is hidden and 20% focuses on aesthetic appeal. A balance between concealed and exposed storage ensures an organized setup.
Floating design: Opt for a floating TV cabinet design to eliminate hard-to-reach corners and facilitate easy cleaning. This design choice also reduces visual bulkiness and prevents a sense of confinement, even in small living spaces.
3.Dining Room Sideboard
The dining room serves as more than just a space for meals; it can also be utilized for storage, such as small appliances, through a dining room sideboard.
Sideboard dimensions: Ideally, design a modular sideboard with a central open area of around 60cm for convenient placement of items. Include at least three plugs to accommodate the use of small appliances. The depth of the cabinet can be approximately 40cm to meet daily storage needs.
Integration with other cabinets: In smaller dining rooms, consider connecting the sideboard to a booth or an island to save space and increase storage capacity. Connecting it to an island can also enhance the decorative effect.
4.Kitchen Cabinets
The kitchen is an essential area in a home, requiring storage for utensils, dishes, and large appliances. Consider the following design tips for kitchen cabinets.
Optimal cabinet dimensions: For base cabinets, choose a height of 80-90cm and a depth of approximately 60cm. The depth of wall cabinets should be around 30cm, with a height of 70-75cm from the countertop.
High-low countertop design: To ensure convenient use, incorporate a high-low countertop design where the sink is slightly higher than the stove, with a difference of 10-20cm between the two.
Drawer storage: Include several drawers or pull-out baskets inside the cabinets to better organize pots, dishes, and condiment bottles. This facilitates easy access and saves time, making the kitchen more convenient to use.
5.Balcony Cabinets
Most households utilize the living room balcony for drying clothes, but it can also serve as storage space. Create storage cabinets specifically designed for the balcony.
Optimize laundry workflow: Plan the balcony cabinet to accommodate the position of the washing machine, water pipes, etc. Embed the washing machine within the cabinet to streamline the laundry workflow.
Built-in design: Built-in balcony cabinets effectively utilize the available space. They can be designed to serve as a combined laundry and storage area or solely for storage purposes, providing practical solutions for different needs.
6.Wardrobe
The most commonly used storage in the bedroom is the wardrobe, and it should be designed according to the residents' specific needs.
Layout based on frequency of use: Divide the wardrobe into three sections based on frequency of use. The upper section, with the lowest usage rate, can be used for storing bedding. The middle section, with higher usage, is suitable for frequently worn clothes. The lower section, with moderate usage, can accommodate seasonal clothing.
Emphasize hanging storage: Similar to the 80/20 principle applied in TV cabinets, allocate 80% of the wardrobe for hanging storage and 20% for folding. This ensures easy access and organization. Additionally, include several drawers for storing small items.
7.Bathroom Cabinet
Although bathrooms have limited space, they require storage for various items. Consider incorporating a bathroom cabinet as the primary storage solution.
Floating design: Opt for a floating bathroom cabinet to minimize hard-to-clean corners and increase the cabinet's lifespan.
Semi-open mirror cabinet: Choose a semi-open design for the mirror cabinet, combining storage with cleanliness and reducing clutter on the countertop.
