Using Cabinet Space Creatively

Although we feel free to put our furniture wherever we like when we move into a new apartment, we often feel constrained by pre-existing cabinets or built-in shelving. We see the cabinets and simply accept them as they are. What few people realize is that cabinet space can be used creatively without altering your lease. You may not need to bring in additional furniture to hold all of your smaller items and utensils. In some cases, you may be able to store far more simply by making a few modifications to an existing space.

1. Splitting Shelves–Think Vertical, Not Just Horizontal

While some people will put in additional horizontal shelving to make better use of an overly wide space between shelves, few people go the extra step and put in vertical shelving. By adding a few vertical shelves into an existing cabinet, you can mount things like spice racks or a set of knives while still making use of the existing horizontal space. Additionally, a vertical divider can help you make better organizational sense of the space. You can visually divide your coffee cups from your drinking glasses, for example, or create an area just for crock pots. Don’t be afraid to have fun with shelving: bright colors can transform an otherwise milquetoast cabinet into a dynamic storage environment. Tight vertical shelving is wonderful for slender, easily stackable items, like plastic wrapping, tin foil, or place mats.

2. Use the Cabinet Doors to Your Advantage
The interior of a cabinet door may not seem like a particularly storage-friendly environment, but it can be surprisingly handy for things like shopping lists, calendars, and other lightweight display items. If you find that your apartment has an exceptionally compact kitchen, making use of every surface becomes a priority. By using the interior of cabinet doors as a place for list-making and display, you’ll retain a clean aesthetic within the kitchen while still making full use of the space. Plus, items that you store here and reference frequently will remain free from the perils of cooking oil stains and the bleaching of the sun.

3. Install Cabinets in “Dead Space”
Some apartments have sloping walls, abrupt set-backs, and other spatial configurations that create seeming “dead space.” These custom nooks and crannies should not deter you from making the most out of the space. By mounting cabinets in these pockets of your apartment, you’ll not only create more storage space, but you’ll also inadvertently create a friendlier, warmer dynamic within your home. Occupying the space, especially if it doesn’t block a window or vent, will make the apartment feel and look fuller. Creating custom cabinetry can also enhance the value of your home, and make you feel the warm glow of having created something with your hands. Before you know it, you’ll start to relish these former “nether spaces” as creative opportunities to store some of your more unusual items. Remember: the most fulfilled among us think of each challenge as an opportunity, not an obstacle.