Pullout Kitchen Storage Ideas

A pullout next to the cooktop keeps oils, vinegars, and other cooking staples out of sight yet close at hand. Storing away extra bottles and jars keeps the counters of this midcentury modern home clean and uncluttered, perfect for the style's minimal aesthetic.

The designer of this '50s-style modern kitchen opted for sleek, slab-face, lacquer-finish cabinets, accented with frosted-glass doors. A pullout between the ovens and the dish storage boasts wire shelves for pantry items. "Because it's a narrow space, you don't want a lot of visual clutter," the homeowner says.

Pullout drawers aren't just a smart small-space solution; they guarantee you're using that space well. Rather than carry recyclables out to the garage, this convenient recycling pullout in a base cabinet, close to the back door in this kitchen, makes for a quick and easy solution to store used plastic bottles and newspaper. And easier recycling means fewer recyclables thrown in the garbage.

Narrow panels flanking the cooktop pull out to reveal clever custom storage. This pullout accommodates both small spice jars and tall cooking oils. Conveniently close to the cooktop, the pullout makes it easier to grab the right herb while sauteing dinner. A matching pullout on the opposite side of the stove keeps linens close at hand.

Getting lost in your walk-in pantry? A deep walk-in pantry became a canned-good black hole, with pantry items frequently lost in its dark recesses. The homeowners turned the open cavity into a space with big usability by adding a walk-up pantry unit with pullout storage. The redesigned pantry is accessible from both the kitchen and the adjacent dining room.

A deep drawer under the cooktop is designed to accommodate large pots with their lids in place. The drawer glides open easily, even when fully loaded. Glass panels on the sides make it easy to see what's inside. The drawer front looks like solid wood, but is actually laminate -- photography of real wood glued on marine-grade plywood.

A three-tier pullout spice rack underneath the cooktop lets the homeowners quickly find the right ingredients for their favorite curry dishes. The different shelf heights accommodate smaller jars and taller bottles. Stainless-steel hardware complements the cooktop hood and the kitchen's warm, contemporary style. The metal pull-out racks also allow the cook to see all the spice labels.

Disguise a spice rack as an ordinary drawer. Use a pinch of this and a dash of that, and then press the shelf back into its hiding place. And rather than getting tossed back on a big, open shelf, each spice has its own place to hang out. Spices stay fresh; the kitchen stays neat.

Experts advise creating a storage plan to solve your storage problems. Know what you're planning to store in a cabinet before you add the new space. Roll-out pantry cabinets store a plethora of canned and boxed staples in a compact area. Look for high-quality construction.

Tired of neatly stacking your forks in a silverware drawer? Cabinetmakers now offer more specialty storage inserts than ever to meet almost every organization need. Make use of narrow spaces with inserts, such as these utensil holders.

Drawers installed in what is traditionally wasted toe-kick space maximize storage for pantry items. Experts suggest storing items based on frequency of use, with frequently used items close at hand and holiday-only dishes in a less convenient space.

Ever send your pots and pans crashing about as you struggle to find the right lid for a saucepan? The struggle ends in this kitchen. These divided drawers keep pots, pans, and lids separated and out of sight. When you need them, both are right at hand for cooking on the range above. Use full-extension drawer slides rated to support at least 100 pounds.

Get clutter off the countertops. A convenient hiding place keeps your toaster at the ready and out of sight. If your plans include a convenient pop-out toaster shelf, make sure it doesn't intrude into a main passageway.

This modern storage comes in a traditional package -- furniture-style cabinetry. A thin band of antiqued gilt molding matches ornate hardware. The cabinet has a twin on the other side of the mantel hood. The storage keeps cooking necessities close at hand.

Are you constantly stopping by your favorite local bakery for a fresh artisan loaf? Then take a page from this homeowner, who wanted the butler's pantry to include an old-fashioned bread drawer with a ventilated lid, like one her grandmother had. The deep storage drawer keeps bread fresh and protected.

Long, wide slots are a perfect fit for otherwise unwieldy serving platters. The platters are easier to handle when stored in a tall, narrow pullout on the peninsula, as opposed to stacked on a high shelf. In this kitchen, dishwasher proximity is a plus.

A slim vertical pullout capitalizes on a narrow corner area to provide convenient spice storage. Dowel "guardrails" on the shelves hold the small containers in place. The storage also gives the cook a clear view of the kitchen's spice supply.

Want to add some pullouts? You won't necessarily need to buy custom cabinets. Though custom cabinetry offers the widest variety of options, custom pullouts are now available in semicustom work.

Another option: aftermarket products to modify stock cabinetry.