I’ve received a lot of questions about where the microwave is, so today I thought I’d show you where the smaller appliances live in our new kitchen. Since I don’t like counter clutter, and I also don’t like lugging gadgets out to use them, I wanted to find a way to integrate the smaller ones we use frequently in a really functional and discreet way.
Kraftmaid makes a cabinet for your KitchenAid mixer, so that was a no-brainer. They are beautiful displayed on a counter, but I don’t use mine enough to keep it from getting dusty ha! and I don’t like dusting it. I had it next to the range previously, and it would get kind of greasy too…not ideal. When things are tucked away you don’t have to clean them as often, and it frees up a lot of space to work…perfect in my book.
The mixer raises up to become counter height without taking up counter space. Come the holidays I’m hopeful it will get a lot of use!
No microwave in sight is such a nice thing. I already talked about my dislike of them over ranges, and even built into the wall isn’t my favorite. The microwave itself actually isn’t terrible to look at, but to build them in you usually have some sort of venting frame that collects dust and grease and is a total pain to clean. We don’t use ours all that often so I opted for a small one and put it in the pantry to the right of the fridge. It’s easily accessible and doesn’t require the venting around it because it’s in an open space – convenient yet discreet.
On the other side of the fridge we have the toaster and blender on one pullout. I love smoothies for breakfast and Xander is on a cinnamon toast kick, so this area sees a ton of action. We don’t use very many small appliances, but I’m so glad we thought this through before renovation. All it took was adding electrical behind the pantries and cutting a hole in the backs of them to make way for the outlets. With four outlets on each side we have plenty of space for more gadgets if necessary. Maybe someday I’ll succumb to the cultural phenomenon that is coffee, but I’m not counting on it!
Where do you keep your small appliances? Which ones can you not live without?
See other tips on kitchen organization here.
Sarah says
Just wondering what the depth of the cabinets around the fridge is?
Thanks,
Sarah
themakerista@gmail.com says
They’re two feet deep. Enough space, and the roll outs make finding things much easier!
Kelsey Cafferky says
That is such a great idea! That kitchenaid shelf is genius! I’m curious though, about the heat aspect of the toaster being in the cabinet? Do you use it while its in there? Or do you just keep it there and pull it out to use it? I would LOVE to go that route because I hate kitchen clutter too! Would love your thoughts. Were building a new home right now and are looking for these ideas to hopefully have our builder implement! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
I do both, sometimes we toast while it’s still inside but usually we just pull the drawer out. I haven’t had any issues. There is a good amount of space between it and the shelf above, I think that’s probably important if you’re toasting with it still inside. Good luck with the build, Kelsey! Yes, these are some great things to consider – they’ve definitely made the functionality of the space that much better!
Elizabeth McAnally says
Thank you so much for sharing! We are going to build a house soon and I’ve been thinking a lot about storage for the unsightly appliances as well. The KitchenAid mixer storage is brilliant!
themakerista@gmail.com says
You’re welcome! Yes, these are great things to consider as you’re planning…good luck!
Nicole Libiszewski says
Your kitchen is breathtaking! I love the color you picked! I am actually currently renovating my kitchen and planning to purchase kraftmaid cabinets as well in a slightly different door model. I was wondering if you could give me an honest opinion of your experience with them so far-i.e. issues with doors or damage or fit issues? I have heard mixed reviews but have done a lot of research and truly feel that for department store options they give a truly custom feel? Thank you !!
themakerista@gmail.com says
I think it all depends on the planning. We really love them! We should have planned better with some of the spacing though…I love that they self close, but they also self open all the way and so there are a few places where the cabinets hit. As far as fit, they were perfect except for the things that weren’t accounted for. I’d say make sure to get extra filler pieces, we needed them around a few appliances and had to cut down other things to make them work. Hope that helps!
CarrieP says
Is it harder to clean things in the cabinet? We have an outlet in our cabinet pantry so we could use the toaster and blender in there, but I worry about crumbs and spills. (Kids!)
themakerista@gmail.com says
I don’t think so. Wiping out the drawer is not really any different then wiping off the counter. I just kind of do it every few days, and I find that not having to move the toaster keeps a lot of the mess at bay…it seems that the banging of the toaster on the counter was always the cause of the most crumbs!
Meg Doa says
Lovely work. So impressive that it is a big box creation! Can you tell me how wide the pantry cabinets are? Thanks!
themakerista@gmail.com says
They’re 22″ wide.
Haley says
Great ideas! We just have a full shelf of all of our appliances and it gets annoying pulling down the everyday ones. We’ll definitely have to incorporate something like this into our new home.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Yes, it’s super helpful and I’m sure the time saved adds up!
Miranda says
First comment on your blog, and of course I have to tell you how beautiful your kitchen is. You’ve made it look so high end without the high end price tag, which is wonderful for someone like me 🙂
I’ve scoured all of your posts, but haven’t found any answer so I thought I would ask – how have you stored your knives? Like me, you hate countertop clutter…and you’ve stored a lot of your things away, but I haven’t seen a block or anything. Any tips?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Miranda! Good question. So, the block is sometimes put away in a cabinet, sometimes out. Really I only use two different knives consistently throughout the day: a paring knife for cutting up fruit and then a knife for chopping veggies. So they both have a spot in the utensil drawer. Hope that helps and thanks for reading!
John Donovan says
Kitchen appliances can certainly be ugly, especially if they are taking up valuable counter space. These creative ways to hide appliances solve the problem beautifully! Besides, they can also expand the storage space in your kitchen.
Jenae says
I would love a post on how you like having a separate fridge/freezer. I am contemplating having them in my kitchen, but am worried they will be too big, maybe even too much food space…..but I will have some teenagers soon!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, I don’t think you can EVER have too much food space! Seriously though, it’s been a total dream. And keep in mind these are counter depth, so they aren’t nearly as deep. It’s not technically double the room but I love that I can only have 2 rows of things…it makes everything completely visable…nothing is ever lost or hard to find!
Katy says
Lovely kitchen! Can I ask where your knobs/hardware are from? Love the paint colour of cabinets too.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Katy! They’re from Lowes. They’re an in stock item (Allen + Roth) and very affordable!
Amy says
Hi! I’m about to start a kitchen remodel with Kraftmaid cabinets and would like to store our microwave inside a fridge pantry just like you!
Do you know how wide your microwave is?
Also, do you ever find the small(er) size limiting?
We only use our microwave for warming up food, with the largest thing going in there being a dinner plate. Do you ever have trouble fitting in what you need?
BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN! LOVE IT, and would like your guidance 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hi Amy! This is the one we have inside our cabinet: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frigidaire-1-1-cu-ft-1-100-Watt-Countertop-Microwave-Black/3724154 The dimensions are listed on there…we’re the same. We don’t use the microwave much, so it’s perfect and a dinner plate definitely fits!