When it comes to kitchen storage, it seems that we can never have enough. But all it takes is some clever design tricks to maximise the space you have, even in a petite kitchen.
“Always design the lower cabinets as drawers,” advises Lawrence Puah, director of akiHAUS Design Studio. “With deep shelves and cabinets, you usually end up with two layers of wares which is not only difficult to access, but you eventually forget what’s in the back. With drawers, you’ll be able to pull it out and see everything.”

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He continues, “Design drawers that can accommodate different types of wares, from pots, to plates & bowls, to cutlery. This way you make efficient use of the space such that even a small kitchen will serve your needs well.” Principal designer Amilia Gani of Facelift Design & Interior proposes using shallow drawers for kitchen tools, medium depth ones for pantry items and deeper drawers for pots and pans.
Cabinet corners tend to be wasted or not used optimally, because things are usually hard to retrieve. Director of The 80’s Studio, Andy Tan, suggests installing pull-out organisers or baskets that help you reach items at the back with ease. These ones from renowned German brand Meister by Hafele feature two pull-out shelves that swivel smoothly and quietly out, letting you stow away and retrieve items without breaking a sweat. Exclusively available at Design Studio by Courts.
Another way to maximise dead space? Try something like Blum’s Space Corner, a nifty drawer system specially designed for corners so no square inch is wasted. However, some may find changing the cabinet door to drawers a bit troublesome.
Instead of chucking your cooking condiments and utensils into a cabinet haphazardly, a much better way to store them is with an organiser like this Cooking Agent Pull-out, from Meister by Hafele, to keep your most-used items easily accessible. It comes in a modular format so you can customise the various containers and hooks to suit your fancy. Exclusively available at Design Studio by Courts.
Cleaning products and other small kitchen supplies can create unnecessary clutter. Keep your sink area tidy and your cleaning products at hand with this nifty U-shaped sink drawer from Blum.
Wherever possible, opt for customisable storage fittings that suit your storage needs. For instance, Meister by Hafele’s Tandem Pantry Larder Unit Pull-out is a great way to organise all your dry goods. It can also blend seamlessly into your kitchen, as you can customise the door to match your cabinets!
The unit features a myriad of shelf options that can be customised in height and width, depending on your kitchen’s capacity, and makes clever use of the cabinet doors to ensure no wasted space. Not only does it help keep your pantry organised, a pull-out unit also prevents visual clutter especially in a small kitchen. Available exclusively at Design Studio by Courts.
Another practical way to add space in your kitchen is with transformable pieces such as a table extension. The Ewins ATIM Opla-Top can be used as extra food prep surface, such as for chopping food, and then stowed away neatly when you don’t need it anymore.
Andy also recommends incorporating a pullout table that cleverly doubles up as extra food prep or dining space. Maximise space with Ewins’ ATIM extendable table (either pull-out or two-leaf foldaway), which can be mounted within a standard size drawer compartment and modified to suit your needs. It can be used as extra dining or tabletop space when you’re entertaining large crowds, or as extra prep space when you’re doing lots of cooking. Price upon request.
Another space-saving solution perfect for small homes is to incorporate a drop-leaf table, such as the BJURSTA by IKEA, that can be folded away when not needed and is easy to maintain. It’s also wall-mounted, so it doesn’t take up precious floor space.
A shelf system like IKEA’s KUNGSFORS suspension rail with shelf is handy for keeping oft-used items within reach, while freeing up countertop space.
A grid system like this stainless steel KUNGSFORS wall grid from IKEA is both versatile and functional. You can add as many hooks and containers as you wish to hang utensils and even an herb like basil.
Another way to make use of vertical space is by installing an aluminium strip on your backsplash, such as Cafim’s Ribbon from Ewins Home. This multifunctional solution streamlines and stores all your tabletop clutter as you can hang shelves, hooks, kitchen towel holders and even magnetic knife holders so you can still access them easily.
A modular storage system like the next125 cubes by W. Atelier gives you more flexibility in organising your kitchen and keeping all your tools and equipment at hand. Suspended shelves, a spice rack and power outlet sockets are just a few of the modular cubes you can choose.
Love to grow basil, lemongrass and other ingredients in your kitchen, but not sure how to store them? Suspended shelves like this one from the next125 cubes system by W. Atelier help keep your herbs in plain sight and away from the countertop.
Is a huge dish rack cramping your style? Look out for a compact option that can be neatly stowed away when you don’t need it. The collapsible Lift dish rack by Kohler is one such option, and it can be expanded to hold a variety of items, from wine glasses to cutlery and bigger pots and pans.
If you have a roomy sink, don’t let it go to waste. Keep cleaning items organised and at hand with the Kohler kitchen sink utility rack that expands up to three inches to fit most sinks. It can also double up as a drying rack for coffee mugs!
A single-bowl sink would save more space in the kitchen than a double-bowl sink as it will give you more counter space. Additionally, it is usually less expensive to purchase and install. It is also easier to maintain with a smaller washing area.
Why not consider maximising your space not only length-wise, but also height-wise? Although it may be a little hard to reach, it is a great space for storing festive tableware. Additionally, the high cabinets will create a vertical illusion, making your kitchen larger than it really is.
Sometimes, it just takes a bit of ingenuity to make the most out of your kitchen space, no matter how big or small. When organising and sorting out pantry items or cooking tools, look to something like the SieMatic MultiMatic by W. Atelier. This interior accessories system combines a host of practical features, from pullout drawers to trays and racks that can be mounted on cabinet doors to even save more space.
Text: Elizabeth Liew and Seah Pei Jun