I am on a mission to create a new movement in Cabinetry Organization while updating design standards when it comes to the functionality of cabinets, closets and essential built-ins. My motivation for doing this arises from the fact that for the most part mass produced cabinetry is still being constructed in the same dimensions (sizes) as it was back in the 1940’s while our needs for storage organization and multi-functionality for all areas of the home has changed significantly in 70+ years!

Manufacturers of cabinetry are always introducing new finishes and features which are well received by consumers but there still tends to be a perpetuation of outdated design with regard to specifying cabinetry sizes while building to current times. When designing cabinetry for a kitchen, bath, closet or even office, you need to make sure that the design covers all of your storage requirements for modern day living.

In the 1940’s the average home had interior ceiling heights of 8’ft. There might have been rooms with vaulted ceilings but these were typically the living areas or dining areas and not necessarily the Kitchen, Laundry Room, Closets or even Bathrooms. In more recent times not only have the size of our homes increased but the height (size) of the rooms too. I now work in so many homes where the average ceiling height is 9’ft and sometimes even 10’ft. I typically observe that cabinetry and shelving was installed to outdated standards (it stops at approximately 8’ft high.) This situation would be perfectly fine if these homes had 8’ft ceilings but they don’t. What they do have is lots of unused storage space that is going to waste.”

 Example of a kitchen where taller upper cabinets would have created
more storage and changed the overall look of the space.

It is a rare that my firm is contacted to come up with a design or plan to eliminate unused cabinetry or closets from a home. To the contrary; we are typically sought out to come up with storage solutions to an overcrowded Kitchen, Pantry or Closet. On a recent job we were shown the Master Closet (which was/is quite large) and the client said; “Oh no, we do not have enough space.” Actually they have plenty of space; what they do not have is an updated closet shelving system that could provide the storage they need. In this particular home there was approximately 3ft of wall space above the last shelf in the closet that was not being used.

When it comes to storage every inch of wall space should be considered for use and planned accordingly. When I refer to wall space I am not just talking about the horizontal wall area but the entire height of the wall as well. If you are currently suffering from lack of storage issues then I strongly suggest that you take a quick walk around your home and look at the cabinetry in your Kitchen, Pantry, Laundry Room and Closets and while you do this pay particular attention to how much wall space there is above the tallest cabinet or shelf in each room. All of that space you are observing is being wasted; those blank walls are not fulfilling their full potential as storage areas!

If you are getting ready to build or to renovate you should pay particular attention to how your storage areas are going to be finished; and pay particular attention to the height of your cabinetry as well as the depth. Make sure that you will be utilizing every inch of space available. Don’t settle for wall cabinets that are only 30”h or even just 12” deep as there are larger (standard sized) cabinets out there that should be used.

If you're looking around your room and viewing a vast amount of wall space above the top of your cabinets or existing shelving and you have no desire to remodel but need more storage space just know that not all is lost. There are a few tips to organizing existing cabinetry and closets so that you gain more storage space.

1. Install more shelves inside your existing cabinetry or closets.
2. Add pull outs in base cabinets so that you can access all items
3. Use dividers in drawers for better organization
4. Install a slat wall system that you can hang items from.
5. Install decorative shelves on blank walls without cabinets and then use baskets, decorative storage boxes or containers to place items in and keep them organized.
6. Hooks are great for closets and can free up much needed shelf space when hats, scarves and purses are placed on the hooks instead of the shelves.

As with all projects; even organizational ones – planning is essential. There are professionals out there who can consult with you and give you a concise list of what you should do to make your cabinetry and other storage areas more organized.