Kitchen Storage Ideas as an Alternative to Wall Units
Would you prefer kitchen walls without cabinets? Check out these clever ways to add storage elsewhere
Hanging racks or shelves – or perhaps just beautiful bare walls? If you’re weighing up the pros and cons of going for a lighter feel in your kitchen, you might also be wondering how you can feasibly ditch wall units without scrimping on cupboard space. Take a look at these smart ideas from designers on Houzz who’ve devised extra storage to replace wall cabinets.
An adjacent built-out dining area adds even more storage, with a bench seat surrounded by base cabinets, tall side units and shelving above.
Find out how this small terrace gained space without being extended.
Find out how this small terrace gained space without being extended.
Combine deep and shallow storage
A wall that at first glance seems too awkward for cabinetry can sometimes be more useful than you might think. In this kitchen, designed by Mia Spencer of House by Mia, wall units were ditched in favour of extra storage, including some clever joinery opposite the sink.
Inspired to reconfigure your own kitchen? Read reviews of kitchen designers in your area and see photos of their past projects.
A wall that at first glance seems too awkward for cabinetry can sometimes be more useful than you might think. In this kitchen, designed by Mia Spencer of House by Mia, wall units were ditched in favour of extra storage, including some clever joinery opposite the sink.
Inspired to reconfigure your own kitchen? Read reviews of kitchen designers in your area and see photos of their past projects.
The wall here separates the kitchen from the utility room on the left and the stairs on the right. Mia designed slim shelving in the shallow space in front of the stairs, which is ideal for smaller items such as glassware or mugs. She then borrowed a little space from the utility room behind to create useful deep cupboards on the left.
Discover how a clever new layout maximised space in this kitchen.
Discover how a clever new layout maximised space in this kitchen.
Access all areas
The owners of this cosy kitchen went for shallow shelves to keep the space airy. To make this work, the team at Honest Kitchens suggested ways to squeeze in storage elsewhere. A clever idea was to add a hidden cabinet beneath the breakfast bar.
To the right of the bar stools is a panel that can be opened up to reveal the useful space that might have gone to waste with a standard corner cupboard.
The owners of this cosy kitchen went for shallow shelves to keep the space airy. To make this work, the team at Honest Kitchens suggested ways to squeeze in storage elsewhere. A clever idea was to add a hidden cabinet beneath the breakfast bar.
To the right of the bar stools is a panel that can be opened up to reveal the useful space that might have gone to waste with a standard corner cupboard.
This view from the other side shows how every inch of space was utilised: three wide drawers to the right, a cupboard to the left, and the hidden cupboard that can be accessed from the dining side of the breakfast bar in between.
Tour the rest of this kitchen with its inspired colour choice.
Tour the rest of this kitchen with its inspired colour choice.
Dress things up
A dresser is a useful alternative to wall cabinets, but, if you’re worried such a large piece of furniture will ruin the light feel you’re after, here’s some inspiration.
Sam Shaw of Sustainable Kitchens was tasked with finding unobtrusive alternative storage in this kitchen. “The cabinets had to sit lightly and [the owners] didn’t want wall cupboards, only a few floating shelves,” he told us. His solution was to design subtle white cupboards that resemble an attractive dresser.
He made the most of the high ceiling to build two tall tower cabinets on either side of a row of base units. To ensure the dresser felt light, he kept the cabinets shallow at just 24cm deep. They work perfectly for storing mugs and glassware.
Take a peek around this classic Shaker kitchen.
A dresser is a useful alternative to wall cabinets, but, if you’re worried such a large piece of furniture will ruin the light feel you’re after, here’s some inspiration.
Sam Shaw of Sustainable Kitchens was tasked with finding unobtrusive alternative storage in this kitchen. “The cabinets had to sit lightly and [the owners] didn’t want wall cupboards, only a few floating shelves,” he told us. His solution was to design subtle white cupboards that resemble an attractive dresser.
He made the most of the high ceiling to build two tall tower cabinets on either side of a row of base units. To ensure the dresser felt light, he kept the cabinets shallow at just 24cm deep. They work perfectly for storing mugs and glassware.
Take a peek around this classic Shaker kitchen.
Pack it out
At first glance, you might wonder if there’s enough storage in this bijou kitchen, but in fact there’s plenty. Interior designer, Amy Shirlaw wanted to avoid the possibility of wall units crowding the space, so she altered the internal configuration of the new cabinets. “They’re vastly changed to make them much more practical and to utilise every bit of space,” she told us.
Fitting a very slightly narrower worktop on the left meant Amy could fit in a double cupboard under the sink. The left-hand door conceals a double-height, kidney-shaped pull-out corner rack, which is used as the pantry. The right-hand door opens to reveal two pull-out shelves for pots and pans. Either side of the cooker are two more slim pull-outs for storing oils and spices.
The fridge-freezer is hidden behind the tall cabinet doors in the foreground, while a vintage sideboard on the right is perfect for storing crockery without feeling obtrusive.
See more of this tiny, glamorous kitchen.
Tell us…
What’s your preference – wall units or none? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
At first glance, you might wonder if there’s enough storage in this bijou kitchen, but in fact there’s plenty. Interior designer, Amy Shirlaw wanted to avoid the possibility of wall units crowding the space, so she altered the internal configuration of the new cabinets. “They’re vastly changed to make them much more practical and to utilise every bit of space,” she told us.
Fitting a very slightly narrower worktop on the left meant Amy could fit in a double cupboard under the sink. The left-hand door conceals a double-height, kidney-shaped pull-out corner rack, which is used as the pantry. The right-hand door opens to reveal two pull-out shelves for pots and pans. Either side of the cooker are two more slim pull-outs for storing oils and spices.
The fridge-freezer is hidden behind the tall cabinet doors in the foreground, while a vintage sideboard on the right is perfect for storing crockery without feeling obtrusive.
See more of this tiny, glamorous kitchen.
Tell us…
What’s your preference – wall units or none? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Consider shrinking your space slightly to add extra storage in your kitchen-diner. Here, for example, Cathy Dean of Studio Dean made up for a lack of wall units over the work surfaces by adding storage to the dining area.
The wall to the right of the door was originally further back than it is now. Cathy installed a false wall in front and added sliding doors to create deep cabinets.