Kitchen Redesign Adventure: Worth the Hype or Not?

Sometimes function wins over form, and that’s totally fine. A lived-in kitchen has its own charm, even if the toaster’s always out.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ll admit - I’m a sucker for a good “appliance garage.” Hear me out: Step 1, measure that awkward corner. Step 2, slap on a hinged door. Step 3, stash the toaster and blender inside. No more countertop clutter, but you don’t have to play hide-and-seek every morning either. It’s not full-on minimalism, but it keeps things looking tidy without sacrificing function. Plus, you get to feel like you’ve built a secret lair for your coffee maker... which is honestly half the fun.

APPLIANCE GARAGES: CLEVER OR JUST ANOTHER GIMMICK?

I’ve built a few of those appliance garages, and I get the appeal - there’s something satisfying about sliding open a door and having all your gadgets ready to go. But here’s what I keep wondering: does anyone actually use them as intended long-term? I’ve seen people start out with everything tucked away, then a few months later, the toaster’s migrated back onto the counter because it’s just easier that way.

Also, ventilation can be a sneaky issue. Those little cubbies trap heat if you’re not careful, especially with stuff like coffee makers or toasters. Have you had any problems with that? I’ve had to add vents or even drill a couple of holes in the back panel to keep things from overheating.

Don’t get me wrong - I love a tidy look. But sometimes I wonder if we’re just trading one hassle for another. Anyone else notice that the more “hidden” storage you build, the more likely it is to turn into a junk closet over time... or is that just my house?

the more “hidden” storage you build, the more likely it is to turn into a junk closet over time... or is that just my house?

Not just your house, trust me. I’ve seen more than one “appliance garage” turn into a graveyard for old blenders and mystery cords. I get the appeal, but I’ve found that unless you’re super disciplined, stuff just migrates back out. Ventilation’s a real thing too - had a client nearly scorch their breadmaker because the heat couldn’t escape. I’m all for tidy, but sometimes simple open shelves just work better in the long run.

Hidden storage is overrated, honestly. I tried a rollout pantry in my 1920s kitchen - thought it was clever, but it just became a black hole for things I forgot I owned. Open shelves keep me honest about what I actually use. Just my two cents...

Hidden storage is overrated, honestly. I tried a rollout pantry in my 1920s kitchen - thought it was clever, but it just became a black hole for things I forgot I owned.

I get what you mean about hidden storage turning into a graveyard for random stuff. But, honestly, open shelves just end up looking messy in my house - maybe it’s my lack of discipline? I like the idea of everything tucked away, as long as there’s a system. Labelled bins, maybe? Otherwise, I feel like I’m just staring at clutter all day. Open shelves are trendy, but I’m not convinced they work for everyone, especially if you’re on a tight budget and can’t just buy matching jars for everything.

Hidden storage can definitely be a double-edged sword. I’ve seen plenty of kitchens where rollout pantries just collect expired cans and mystery gadgets - out of sight, out of mind, right? But honestly, open shelves aren’t always the answer either. They look great in photos, but in real life, unless you’re super organized (or have a thing for matching containers), they can get chaotic fast.

I’ve worked on a few remodels where we found a middle ground - closed cabinets with pull-out organizers or even just simple labeled baskets inside. It’s not about hiding everything away, but making sure you can actually find what you need without digging through piles. And yeah, matching jars are nice, but not necessary. Sometimes it’s just about having a spot for everything, even if it’s not Pinterest-perfect.

At the end of the day, it’s your kitchen and your sanity. Trends come and go, but function sticks around. If you like things tucked away and labeled, that’s totally valid - don’t let the open shelf hype make you feel otherwise.

Honestly, I get the appeal of labeled baskets and pull-outs, but sometimes those “middle ground” solutions just add more steps. I’ve seen folks end up with baskets inside cabinets that never get used because it’s still a hassle to pull everything out. Sometimes, a few deep drawers - no fancy organizers, just space - work better. You can toss in pots, pans, or even pantry stuff and see it all at a glance. Not as pretty as the Pinterest setups, but way less fiddly in day-to-day life. Just my two cents from flipping a bunch of kitchens... sometimes simpler is actually more functional.

Totally hear you on the “less is more” front. Deep drawers are a game-changer for me, especially for those awkward pots and lids that never seem to fit anywhere else. I did the whole basket thing once - ended up with a graveyard of random gadgets at the bottom because I couldn't be bothered pulling out three layers just to get a colander. Honestly, if I can see it and grab it in one motion, that’s a win. Pinterest-perfect is nice but I’ll take not swearing at my cabinets any day.

Deep drawers are honestly the MVP of kitchen storage. I used to have one of those corner cabinets with a lazy susan and it just turned into a black hole for mismatched Tupperware and that one salad spinner I never use. Swapping to deep drawers made life so much easier - now I can actually see what I own instead of buying duplicates because I forgot what’s in the back.

I get the appeal of baskets and organizers, but if you have to move three things to get to what you need, it’s just not practical. My only gripe with deep drawers is making sure they’re sturdy enough for heavy stuff - learned that the hard way when a cheap runner gave out under my cast iron pans. If you’re redoing your kitchen, definitely invest in good hardware for those drawers.

Pinterest kitchens look great, but real life is messy. If your setup keeps you from cursing at your cabinets every day, that’s a win in my book.