Design Minute: Open Concept Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen

Love the idea of an open concept kitchen but are afraid of the sacrifices you'll have to make in the way of storage? Don't worry—we have options!

In this post, Pinnacle Remodel owners, Rachel and Christian Raab, walk you through the common challenge homeowners face when moving to an open floor plan for their kitchen: how to keep generous storage when you've opened up walls and added a large island.

This post outlines the practical solutions we used to preserve—and even improve—storage in a remodeled open kitchen.

The challenge: opening the kitchen without losing storage

Open concept kitchens are popular because they create a welcoming place to gather with family and friends. The problem is, often, an open concept kitchen is easier to implement than open concept storage. The absence of walls where cabinets or shelving can be installed leads to a drastic reduction in storage.

Take a recent open kitchen project we did, for example:

We removed two walls to open the kitchen to the living room and dining room, and added a large kitchen island to anchor the space. The result was a modern, airy layout with a cohesive living space and dining space—but it also meant fewer walls for upper cabinets.

Where people traditionally store plates, cups, and everyday items in cabinet spaces along the kitchen walls, that simply wasn't available after opening up the layout. The question became: how do we maintain ample storage while preserving the openness our clients wanted?

The primary solution: a large walk-in pantry

For this kitchen, the most effective solution was adding a large walk-in pantry. A dedicated pantry delivers several benefits that make it an ideal complement to an open concept kitchen:

• Tons of food storage: Open shelving and organized zones for canned goods, dry goods, and bulk items. Open cubbies or storage boxes can be used on open shelves to maximize space and organization within the pantry. Cutting boards can be stored vertically to free up some extra space while being easy to access.

• Small countertop space: A short work surface inside the pantry provides a convenient spot for food prep, staging dishes, or housing small appliances out of sight.

• Additional drawers: Built-in drawers in the pantry add more storage for linens, small appliances, and other items that don't belong in the main kitchen footprint. Properly organized, these drawers reduce clutter and make the most of a small space.

• Flexible shelving: Adjustable shelves accommodate everything from larger items like cereal boxes to spare platters and decorative dishware.

A properly designed walk-in pantry allows you to keep sightlines open and maintain the style and visual appeal of a modern kitchen without sacrificing organization or storage capacity.

You can also design the pantry to your needs and square footage. Some people build a more complete butler's pantry with a sink and closed cabinetry. This can be a perfect place for staging and prep when entertaining, and with some wall space to work with, you can add wall-mounted hooks for hanging towels and aprons. Another benefit of a butler's pantry is that it has its own storage behind closed doors but it doesn't infringe on the spacious feel of the kitchen, dining area, and living area in your open-floor plan home.

Other cabinetry solutions to maximize storage

In addition to a walk-in pantry, there are several targeted storage solutions we often specify to make the most of available cabinetry:

• Trash pull-outs: Built-in waste and recycling pull-outs in lower cabinets keep bins hidden and free up floor space.

• Dedicated knife and cutlery storage: Integrated knife pull-outs or cutlery organizers improve safety and free up drawer space.

• Base cabinets on the back of the island: Adding storage to the island's rear gives you a place for less frequently used items—like specialty bakeware or seasonal items—while maintaining a clean front-facing look for entertaining.

An open concept kitchen doesn't have to mean compromised storage. A thoughtfully designed walk-in pantry, paired with smart cabinetry features like pull-outs and island storage, gives you the best of both worlds: a bright, open room that's also highly functional.

Thinking through design: what our team can do for you

Working with our design team helps you truly understand the potential for your kitchen. We evaluate how you cook, entertain, and store items to generate tailored storage ideas and design practical solutions—whether through cabinetry layout, pantry design, or island storage—that align with your lifestyle.

If you're considering opening up a small kitchen into an airy open space, we'd love to help you explore the options. Give us a call to schedule a consultation and let our design team develop a kitchen plan you'll truly love.