“Stuff has become the enemy. There always seems to be more of it than I have storage in my house.”–Rick Riordan, American Novelist
This is especially true in the kitchen — particularly in homes where kitchens must balance beauty, functionality, and everyday living. When you begin thinking about a renovation, there are countless decisions to make — cabinet materials and finishes, countertops, appliances, and more. But one of the most important considerations, and one that’s often overlooked, is kitchen storage.
From dry goods and pots and pans to dishes, glassware, countertop appliances, and utensils, everything needs a place. And everything has to fit.
Of course, space isn’t always unlimited — especially when you’re trying to incorporate every dream appliance on your wish list. That’s where a skilled kitchen designer becomes essential. The process starts with understanding what you already have: taking inventory of your current storage and purging what you no longer need.
From there, our designers dive deeper, learning how you live; your daily routine, how many people live in the house, your kitchen goals (and dreams), whether you love to entertain, if you’re an aspiring chef, and how much “stuff” you truly need to store. This approach is especially important when designing custom kitchens in Westchester, NYC, and Greenwich, where no two spaces — or homeowners — are alike.
With that insight, they design a kitchen that fits your lifestyle like a glove, maximizing every inch and eliminating wasted space. They also ensure everything is placed where it makes sense, keeping items close to where they’ll be used most. To make move-in seamless, designers even include notes on the drawings showing exactly where everything will go.
Below are some of our top custom kitchen storage solutions to help you live a more organized, clutter-free life:
Pull-Out Pantries & Interior Roll-outs
Tall pantry cabinets are ideal for organizing dry goods, Tupperware, and more. Some feature metal baskets attached to the door that slide out when opened, offering full visibility and easy access. Others include interior roll-outs that allow you to grab items without reaching deep into the cabinet. These roll-outs can also be incorporated into base cabinets to store everything from mixing bowls to canned goods. Even cleaning supplies can be neatly organized with under-sink pull-outs designed specifically for that purpose.
Spice Drawers & Pull-Out Spice/Oil Racks
If you love to cook, you know how important it is to keep spices and oils within easy reach. Leaving them on the countertop creates clutter, while burying them in a cabinet makes them hard to access. Enter the spice drawer. With slanted inserts, these drawers allow you to see every spice at a glance. For even more convenience, narrow pull-outs flanking the range can be outfitted with adjustable shelves to store spices and cooking oils right where you need them.
LeMans Blind Corner Pull-outs
Few things are more frustrating than wasted corner space – or having to crawl inside a cabinet to reach it. LeMans pull-outs solve this problem beautifully. These kidney-shaped shelves tuck neatly into blind corner cabinets and swing out effortlessly, bringing pots, pans, and mixing bowls directly to you. With skid-resistant mats to keep items in place, they’re a smart (and stylish) upgrade from the traditional lazy Susan.
Utensil Dividers & Knife Blocks
Ever had a drawer jam because a spatula shifted? Drawer dividers are the solution. With options for every type of utensil, these inserts keep everything organized and easy to access. Separate cooking utensils from serving pieces, keep silverware neatly sorted, or protect fine flatware with felt-lined inserts. Knife blocks with built-in slots keep blades safely stored and within reach. For ultimate organization, some drawers can even house knives, measuring tools, and wraps all in one place. No more stuck drawers.
Interior and Exterior Wine Racks
Not every bottle needs a temperature-controlled wine cooler – or to be displayed out in the open. Interior wine racks offer a clean, clutter-free way to store bottles inside a cabinet. And because Bilotta’s kitchens are fully custom, the slot sizes can even be adjusted to accommodate liquor bottles as well.
But if you prefer to put your collection on display, open shelving and integrated lighting transform wine storage into a design feature, turning bottles into art and elevating the entire space.
Open Shelves & Carved Out Niches
When wall space is limited, open shelves can be both practical and decorative – perfect for cookbooks, dishes, baskets, or curated accents. In tighter areas where drawers or pull-outs won’t fit, carved-out niches can provide just enough depth to store frequently used items near the range. After all, if you’re renovating, why not make use of every possible inch?
Tray Divider Cabinets
Imagine opening a drawer for trays and finding them all stacked on top of one another. To reach the tray on the bottom, you either have to remove everything or settle for whatever’s easiest to grab. Tray divider cabinets solve that problem by allowing trays and cutting boards to stand upright, eliminating jamming and scratching. For added convenience, they can even be outfitted with interior lighting for better visibility. Tray divider cabinets can be designed as base cabinets or installed above a wall oven, depending on what your space allows.
Coffee Station – Two Types
Integrated Coffee Drawer Station
An integrated coffee station pairs a built-in coffee system with a dedicated drawer below for cups and accessories, keeping everything you need in one streamlined location. The drawer can be customized with dividers to neatly organize mugs, saucers, and tools, reducing clutter and making daily routines effortless. This type of coffee station blends seamlessly into surrounding cabinetry, offering a clean, modern look while maximizing efficiency and accessibility.
Appliance Garage Coffee Station
An appliance garage coffee station creates a designated, self-contained zone for coffee preparation. With doors that open to reveal shelving for cups and supplies and a countertop surface for the machine, everything stays organized yet discreetly tucked away when not in use. Interior lighting enhances visibility and adds warmth, while the ability to close the doors maintains a calm, uncluttered aesthetic. This option, with it’s pocket door and pull-out wood block, is ideal for clients who want a dedicated coffee moment without sacrificing visual simplicity in the kitchen.
Docking Drawers
Modern kitchens are filled with devices – and tangled cords. Docking drawers eliminate countertop clutter by creating a dedicated charging station tucked neatly out of sight. Phones, tablets, and laptops can charge behind closed drawers, keeping surfaces clean and organized.
Some Additional Ideas
Here are a few other things to consider when working with a custom shop like Bilotta:
- Bi-fold doors that tuck away countertop appliances or other items that might otherwise clutter a space.
- Hidden outlets that disappear when not in use.
- Pegs in deep drawers to keep dishes from sliding around.
Designing your kitchen space to make sure everything fits while leaving no wasted space takes some planning and organizing. Our expert kitchen designers are standing by, prepared to make a place for all your custom kitchen storage needs, whether you’re renovating a home. Ready to get organized?
