Appliance cupboards are quickly becoming a staple in every kitchen we design due to how practical and useful they are. Even if you have a butler's pantry, we find that appliance cupboards can still really enhance your Kitchen. They are great for keeping all the things you need often (like toasters, coffee makers, kettles, etc.) easily within reach, while being able to hide away the clutter when not in use. If you're looking to add an appliance cupboard in your Kitchen renovation, here are 5 things to consider:
1 | Location
The first thing to consider is where this is going to go within the Kitchen. Appliance cupboards always work better within the full height section of your Kitchen next to a pantry, oven tower or fridge. If you plan on using your appliance cupboard as a breakfast nook to make the morning rush less stressful, it may be best to have it on the outer edge of your Kitchen for easy access. If using it primarily for baking, then closer to the oven would be best.
2 | Doors
The beauty about an appliance cupboard is that once you're done using it, you can close the doors and hide all the clutter. However, it's important to ensure that the Kitchen still works well while the doors are open and that they're not in the way. That is why I always prefer to add pocket doors that hide away completely while open. If space is tight and a pocket door isn't suitable, then I usually opt for a bi-fold door as the doors stick out a minimal amount once open. If doing this, you need to ensure there is enough space between the open bi-fold and any benches in front of it. We aim for at least 700mm space if it's just a walkway, or at least 900mm if it is a working area.
3 | Storage
To make the most of your appliance cupboard, we recommend adding as much storage as possible. We love adding open shelving above the bench for items that you need daily. Below bench, we generally opt for deep drawers to store anything from pantry items to cups and plates. You may choose to have your drawers within the pocket/bi-fold doors for a cleaner look once closed, or you might prefer to have your drawers separate so that they can be accessed even when the pocket/bi-fold doors are closed.
4 | Appliance space
Of course the most important part of your appliance cupboard is making sure there is enough space for your appliances! Consider what you need on a regular basis and how much space it takes to use them. It's important to think about height as well horizontal space - particularly if you have something like a coffee machine or a mixer where you need to lift a part upwards to use it. If wanting to store your microwave within this space as well, you may prefer having it either below bench or on a shelf above so that it doesn't take up a lot of bench space.
5 | Power and lights
Lastly, make sure that you have enough power points to run all your regularly used appliances without needing to unplug anything to make it all work. We often also add a power point to the back of a drawer within the appliance cupboard as a small charging station within the kitchen where you can charge all your devices without the clutter of cords. We also like to add lights within the appliance cupboard to make sure it's a really functional space. We recommend adding LED strips on both sides of the cupboard space or at least a spot light at the top within the cupboard.
I hope these ideas have been helpful! If you want to find out more about how we can help you with your next project, get in contact with us below:
Have a wonderful week!
Nina xx