A Storage-Packed Kitchen Update

Although short on space, this small kitchen packs a punch with stylish and creative storage solutions. The 15x21-foot space features a walk-in pantry and two full eating areas -- one at the island and the other outside the working kitchen area. The open layout suits everything from the homeowner's daily life to entertaining family and friends.

First on the homeowner's list of makeover must-haves were walls of windows. Although the windows take up space that would ordinarily be reserved for upper cabinets, they allow sunlight and views of the outside to flood the small kitchen space. Antique wooden beams and salvaged flooring add vintage textures and hand-hewn touches to sleek surfaces and high-end contemporary appliances.

A ceiling-mount range hood draws heat and fumes away from the island's commercial-grade, six-burner range. The bold range hood also draws attention to the salvaged white oak beams that add texture and rustic character to the ceiling. A stainless-steel island countertop creates visual contrast when mixed with the soapstone countertops used throughout the rest of the kitchen.

A white porcelain farmhouse sink is set under the kitchen's front-facing window. The bridge-style faucet, separate filtered water tap, and pullout sprayer -- all finished in sleek brushed nickel -- add contemporary character to soapstone countertops and rustic cabinetry.

Like every other storage solution in this small kitchen, a three-tier storage unit makes the most out of this corner base cabinet. The shelving pulls out and swivels for easy access to all of the contents, maximizing storage in a typically hard-to-reach spot.

The homeowner made room for his expansive olive oil collection overhead and transformed the bottles into works of art. Without this creative solution, his collection would have gobbled up valuable countertop and food prep space in the already-limited kitchen area.

Since two walls were consumed by windows, the homeowner had to stretch kitchen storage elsewhere in the room, boosting the number and capacity of base cabinets and extending the few wall cabinets from floor to ceiling. A built-in microwave takes up less space than a freestanding model.

Three shallow cabinets are hidden on the island's seating side, creating the perfect storage spot for seldom-used and seasonal kitchen equipment. Push-latch doors ensure the cabinets remain virtually undetectable when they're closed. A hidden, under-counter electrical outlet adds functionality without blatantly interrupting the rustic character of the island.

Separate pantry and bar areas offer a needed supplement to the existing in-kitchen storage.  A wine cooler, sink, and storage for glassware and other items make for a full-service wet bar that perfectly suits the homeowner's love of entertaining.

Wall space opposite the wet bar would have been wasted if not put to good use with shallow cabinets -- the upper for glassware, the lower for bottle storage. The brushed-nickel finish of the hardware looks sleek against the rustic finish of the cabinetry. Latched-style hardware on the lower cabinets hints at the home's seaside location.

Directly across from the kitchen work space is a casual dining space. With an open layout, it was necessary for the well-worn, rustic character of the kitchen to extend into the dining space as well. A long wicker bench and two wicker chairs pull up to a weathered mango-wood table that echoes the finish of the kitchen cabinetry. White oak planks in varying widths cover the walls to further add to the comfy beach-house flavor of the kitchen and dining area.