Kitchen furniture: designing all the storage surfaces
Storage planning is a true philosophy of living. It is an approach to interior architecture that makes the most of the depth and height of primary cabinets, optimizes challenging areas like corners, and tailors each composition to its unique elements. Moreover, the versatility of complementary furnishings like bookshelves and sideboards enriches the kitchen's aesthetic while increasing available storage space.
In this article, we explore modern storage systems designed to organize space in an intelligent, practical, and harmonious way, maximizing every available volume.
Table of contents
The main kitchen furniture elements
A refined kitchen is distinguished not only by its style, but also by its ability to respond intelligently to the needs of its users. Smart design involves combining base units, wall cabinets, and tall units, each with specific characteristics and defined roles.
Modern kitchens are conceived to make full use of available volume through modular systems and pull-out mechanisms that provide immediate access to contents. This vision optimizes space without compromising clean lines or overall elegance.
The result is a space that appears larger and more orderly, adapting dynamically and flexibly to everyday needs, perfectly balancing aesthetics and function.
Base units: drawers, deep baskets, and sink cabinets
Base units are the foundation for kitchen planning, and it is essential to develop tailored solutions that enhance the space where daily life unfolds.
Strategic arrangement of drawers and deep baskets ensures a full view of the contents, minimizes hidden corners, and makes it easy to reach items stored at the back. Even the area beneath the sink can be carefully organized using shaped baskets and dividers.
Customization extends to the interiors of these units through specific layouts that transform a simple drawer into a bespoke space. Cutlery, utensils, and pots all find a precise place, simplifying food prep and making each movement smoother and more efficient.
Wall cabinets and open shelves
Managing vertical space is essential for defining a kitchen's character. Wall cabinets offer a traditional place to store dishware, glasses, and pantry goods. New innovations include motorized opening mechanisms and integrated lighting systems that blend comfort and ambiance.
Open shelves, on the other hand, are a strong expressive opportunity. While offering less storage capacity, they allow carefully chosen objects—like cookbooks and small plants—to decorate the space, creating a personal touch and breaking the rhythm of closed cabinet surfaces.
Corner units
Corner zones are often a critical challenge in kitchen design, but contemporary solutions ensure full accessibility and optimal use of these difficult spaces .
Mechanisms like pull-out trays or rotating shelves bring the entire contents of the corner cabinet outward, turning a problematic zone into a valuable asset. This makes even bulky items like pots and small appliances easy to reach with a simple, fluid motion.
The pantry
The pantry is a central feature of modern kitchen organization. Its purpose is to consolidate supplies in one tidy and visible location, making food storage easier to manage.
Today’s options include walk-in pantries with exceptional capacity, traditional pantry cabinets, and vertical pantry columns integrated into the kitchen composition. Equipped with internal baskets and adjustable shelves, these columns offer generous storage in minimal space, maintaining a clean and linear aesthetic.
A well-organized pantry brings clarity and order, helping users manage their daily routine with calm efficiency.
Tall units with built-in functions
Vertical development is one of the most effective strategies for maximizing storage capacity, especially in smaller kitchens. Tall units with built-in features combine the visual elegance of a monolithic design with the flexibility of modular solutions.
Multiple functions can be integrated into a single clean-lined unit. Tall units can be personalized with pull-out systems, built-in appliances, or dedicated stations hidden behind doors.
This configuration not only optimizes space but also defines the kitchen’s architectural language, creating tidy, visually striking walls.
Space-saving solutions
Design excellence is often revealed in the smallest details. Space-saving elements make a tangible difference in daily routines by freeing up work surfaces and improving comfort during food prep and cleanup.
These thoughtful features optimize underused areas, dedicating space to frequently used items like spice racks in wall cabinets or drawers near the cooking area.
Another example is the equipped backsplash: the space between the base unit and wall cabinet can be fitted with utensil bars, shelves for herbs, phone holders, or integrated outlets—transforming a simple wall into an active, multifunctional work surface.
Storage furniture
In contemporary living, the lines between kitchen and living areas are increasingly fluid. Storage furniture bridges these spaces: these furnishings harmonize with the rest of the home while offering convenient additional storage.
These pieces combine kitchen functionality with an aesthetic drawn from modern living room decor. This broad category expands storage options while maintaining visual and design continuity.
Kitchen bookcases
Including a bookcase in the kitchen or in the transitional space between kitchen and living area adds depth and meaning to the room. Double-sided models are especially useful for separating spaces without creating rigid boundaries, promoting visual and spatial continuity.
Bookcases can hold books, magazines, design objects, plants, or souvenirs—becoming a display surface for culture, personal interests, and identity. They make the kitchen feel warmer, more lived-in, and welcoming.
Sideboards, buffets, and display cabinets
Today, sideboards and buffets are reinterpreted in contemporary design and can be placed in kitchens or dining areas. These pieces provide extra space for storing dishware, linens, and table accessories.
Display cabinets are particularly suited to showcasing beautiful items like glassware or fine china, while protecting them from dust. These furnishings play with transparency to create visual focal points and add a refined touch.
Conclusion
The right combination of cabinetry, tall units, and accessories defines a functional and inviting space for daily life. Designing your kitchen storage means balancing attention to detail with the priorities of everyday routines.
By customizing storage systems, you can meaningfully improve your daily well-being, realize your personal aspirations, and create a home environment tailored to your life.
At Berloni, we believe that kitchen design goes beyond simply creating order: it begins with an authentic dialogue about how every choice helps you reach your goals. Book an appointment at one of our Ateliers to explore all the possibilities and receive a personalized consultation.
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