Ways Custom Cabinets Can Help with an Organizational Plan
Custom cabinets have a lot to offer. Whether you’re embarking on a new home build or you’re renovating your old kitchen from the ground up, it can help you improve the organization and workflow or your space. With the right cabinets and the right organizational plan, you never need to worry about running out of storage or not having a place to put particular items. How do custom cabinets help with your organizational plan? We’ll take a closer look below.
Why Choosing the Right Plan Matters
When it comes to designing or remodeling your kitchen, understand that at least 30% of your budget will be dedicated to just one thing – custom cabinets. They represent a significant investment but are also the most prominent part of the kitchen. You want to go into the process armed with a plan that lays out exactly where each cabinet will go, the dimensions of each cabinet, the number of shelves included per cabinet, and more. It’s a bit like building a puzzle, but the right plan will help you score big when it comes to storage space and organization.
Maximizing Storage
Certain cabinet configurations will help you maximize storage. This is particularly important for bulkier items, such large bags of rice or flour, or packages of paper towels that eat up a great deal of space. Plan where you want these items to go and have a good idea in mind of how much space you’ll need to dedicate to bulky items.
Not sure how much bulky storage space you’ll need? Take a look around your current kitchen and identify where cabinet storage falls short. Then determine how much you would need to expand it to meet your requirements. This gives you a base from which to start your discussion with a custom cabinet maker.
Of course, only some of the items you’ll need to store are bulky. You will also have a wide range of other items. Think about the following when planning your kitchen cabinet storage:
Plates and bowls
Silverware and utensils
Pots and pans
Baking pans
Plastic wrap and other kitchen supplies
Seasonings and herbs
Food storage items
You need to create a plan that allows you to mix large, medium, and small storage spaces to optimize flow and ease of access. Custom cabinets give you exactly that capability – you have a blank slate.
Think of the Triangle
In most instances, the most effective use of kitchen space is a triangle. Each point on that triangle should be one critical element to food prep and cooking – your stove and oven, your refrigerator and food storage, and your preparation area, often a kitchen island.
The triangle shape allows you to maximize efficiency in the kitchen while avoiding the challenge of having to work in a straight line along a single row of cabinets, for instance. Since you’re going the custom cabinets route, you can dictate the exact dimensions of the triangle so that it is perfectly suited to you and your needs.
Go Beyond Cabinets and Drawers
Custom cabinets can be designed to offer the perfect mix of cabinet and drawer space. However, you should think beyond the basics here. Yes, cabinets and drawers certainly account for the majority of a custom cabinet design, but other elements can help improve your ability to stay organized. Consider the following:
A Plate Rack: Are you constantly getting plates out of the cabinet or dishwasher? A plate rack provides easy access to frequently used items and can add a unique aesthetic to your space, as well. You can also make a plate rack aesthetically pleasing and tie it in with the overall design of the kitchen.
A Pan Rack: Do a lot of baking? Whether it’s pizza or roasted veggies, a pan rack allows you to turn your pan storage on its side and ensure that you can always get to exactly the pan you want. Pan racks are most convenient beside or above the oven, as this position helps maximize efficiency.
Built-in Lazy Susan: The lazy Susan has been around for a long time and it offers a lot of benefits. A built-in version in a large corner cabinet offers an incredible amount of organizational space for anything and everything. You can design yours with two, three, four, or even more levels if you like, allowing you to store oils and liquids, baking supplies, or anything else you might need to keep organized.
Not a fan of turntables or don’t want to design a large corner cabinet? You can achieve similar organizational capabilities with mounted, swing-out shelves that extend when you open the cabinet door.
Hidden Trash: With custom cabinets, you can design a hidden trash can holder that tucks out of sight and then extends with the tug of a handle when you need it. This opens up additional floor space in your kitchen for other uses.
Custom Cabinets Goes Beyond Kitchens
We’ve touched on several ways that custom cabinets can help with an organizational plan for the kitchen. However, cabinets can and do play central roles in rooms other than the kitchen. Built-ins can be designed for your home office or den. Cabinets make laundry room storage simpler and easier. Don’t forget about your bathrooms, either. Custom cabinets ensure that you’re able to create a personalized organization plan, add beauty, and even enhance the value of your home.
Get the Help You Need
Interested in learning more about custom cabinets and how you can improve the organization of your home? At Knotty Nuff Wood, we’ve helped homeowners just like you add beauty, style, and organizational capabilities to their kitchens and other rooms of the home. We work with clients throughout Orange County, California, but we’re also happy to serve clients in Los Angeles County, too. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free consultation on your custom cabinets design.