Four Reasons Why This Built-In Storage Is A Smart Idea

Although most folks are trying to maximize their countertop space, giving them the largest work surface possible, this built in storage in Delafield, Wisconsin does the exact opposite. But by building in storage where countertops could have been they've actually maximized the kitchen's potential.

This is the home of Cheri and Steve Ware and although their entire home is quite beautiful (take the full tour here), we wanted to focus a minute on their kitchen. We've taken a look at so many storage solutions for kitchens large and small it's enough to make your head spin, but we wanted to focus a minute on why this space makes smart use of some built in cabinetry. Here's why we love the look:

1. Dust Be Gone: As those who have a microwave sitting on their countertop can attest to, they collect dust like crazy. In addition, it's a serious magnet for little things that end up feeling junky. It starts with a bunch of bananas and then gradually gets a few potholders added or the salt and pepper. It's an all around dust and clutter magnet! By building it in, you avoid all of that!

2. Two Inches Makes All The Difference: Look at the height of the microwave. Although it would appear that it's sitting at normal cabinet height, it's actually just a few inches higher. Now think about all those times you've bent over to check a dish you're reheating and how you do that lean back, look in while twisting down to look a little sideways.... now picture never doing that again. That's what 2 inches will give you!

3. Controlled Cookbooks: Ample storage for cookbooks in any kitchen is a nice luxury, but just like many forms of media, cookbooks are easy to collect and not utilize as much as you could. By having a set space to keep them means you can only collect so many, forcing you to only keep what you love before bringing more in.

4. Not Much Lost: Having grown up with a kitchen that has a small angled section off to the side, I can tell you they don't do much. You look at it and think, well if that wasn't there, I could make so many things or cook side by side with my husband. Truth be told, it's just a place to bump elbows and forget where you put ingredients down at.

Do you like the look? Let us know in the comments below why it's your cup of tea or not your ideal cooking location!

(Image: Kristyna Wentz-Graff for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Comments (7)

Love the built ins and at 5'1", barely, I like the microwave location better than a standard under upper cabinets location. I also feel like you use your cookbooks more if easily accessible in the kitchen. But I'm more of a white, grey, black & bright colors girl, I grew up in a house with an overuse of brown and went the "other" way.

I am in the agonizing finishing stages of an 800 square foot open space. I actually made the decision when designing the kitchen to reduce my counter space and instead add a second pantry like tall cabinet. The idea is to have room to store ALL the appliances, even those commonly used & leave the counters bare. Also plan to build in organizers on the pantry & island cabinet doors for spices, cutting boards, etc. to maximize the in cabinet storage, keep the counters clear but still have the essentials within easy reach.

I don't personally like this just because I never close my cabinet doors except when company comes over. I would rather have a mix of open and closed shelving open for the things I use most and closed for the ones I don't

I love it. I'm also considering something like this. I have a huge kitchen with countertops that are not very useful. I think if I got rid of the useless countertops (making full length cabinets in their place), and instead had one nice big counter, we;d be in better shape. I think that is what these guys did (although its hard to see their counters).

Oh - and about the cookbooks - awesome!

Anyone wishing they used their cookbooks more should check out cookbooker. It has made me fall in love with cooking all over again.

This is the type of thing that kills me on this site. I am upgrading to a bigger kitchen soon, and it is still a small kitchen. This kitchen has PLENTY of counterspace even with this cabinetry "taking up space that could be counters." The rest of us are just trying to make there be enough room to WORK. If I had that much space, I'd want more storage, too!

What gives me pause about this type of setup is wondering what you're to do when the time comes to replace an appliance. Need a new microwave? You'll have to find one that is exactly the right size, so you may find yourself having to compromise on features, quality, and aesthetics.

it looks pretty monolithic to me. And I don't like how that run of cabinets doesn't have a straight line across the top. And I can't think of many things more impractical than a cabinet door opening out onto a countertop--they make tambour and sliding doors to solve that problem.