Cupboard storage in the kitchen

Think kitchen storage, think cupboard storage and, more recently, over-sized drawers. But who says every piece of storage in your kitchen has to be purely functional? Why can't it be stylish and eye-catching to boot.

Well, turns out it can. You just have to be a bit clever.

Open shelving

This might not sound beautiful, but the displays you can create with crockery and other kitchen knick-knacks certainly can be. We're not suggesting you should deck your whole kitchen out with shelves alone – because obviously things stored on shelves tend to get dirty more quickly – but a few expertly placed shelves can turn a kitchen from ho-hum into something special.

Before you start shelf shopping, think about what you intend to store – will it be heavy objects, or things that are purely decorative? That will help you determine what type of shelf and wall fitting to opt for.   

Go for glass

The ideal way to display much-loved items like glassware is with glass-fronted cabinetry. Because it has a door – albeit a glass one – they'll stay cleaner than things displayed on open shelving. The only catch is that you have to be tidy and disciplined to make this 'look' work.

While being able to spy into a cupboard that's nicely organised can add a touch of elegance to a kitchen, if you've just crammed everything in, it'll only wind up looking cluttered.

If you think this might happen to you, a good compromise can be using semi-opaque glass. You'll still be able to see a hint of what lies beyond, but being scrupulously tidy isn't so important.

The mirror effect

To up the ante in your glass cupboards, try creating the shelving from mirrored glass rather than the plain variety. The reflection this achieves is an instant way to provide your kitchen with a touch of glamour.

And speaking of glamour, how about fitting the cupboards with downlights? The combination of glass, mirror and glittering lights – not to mention the fabulous things you have on display – will create a knock-out effect.

Wall cut-outs

If you're crafting your kitchen from relative scratch, then take the opportunity to do something special with your walls. Think about recessing some 'cut-out' panels to create display shelves. Sure, it's purely decorative, and depending on how big you make them, you'll only be able to display special treasures, but it's a unique way to make your kitchen different from the rest. 

Contact a cupboard storage expert in your area to find out which kitchen storage products would best suit your kitchen: