Mastering luxury kitchen storage can improve your quality of life significantly. When everything is in its proper place, cooking meals for yourself, your family, or guests becomes far easier and less stressful, filling your life with joy.
However, intelligent kitchen storage doesn’t happen automatically–it requires patience, planning, and following the correct approach.
So, what should you do to turn a bespoke storage solutions project into a triumph?
Understand the value of planning and budgeting
Planning is a critical first step. Ensuring you have the space and budget for your storage requirements prevents disappointment later.
Moreover, this stage matters because it lets you avoid missing opportunities. Mapping your existing kitchen space defines where you have room for new storage options, so you can include them in your planning.
Budgeting is also a critical consideration during this step. Understanding the cost of made-to-measure storage solutions ensures you achieve the desired results without exceeding your budget.
Defining personal style and needs
Defining your style and requirements is the most rewarding step. This stage involves ideating and considering how to turn your kitchen aspirations into reality.
During this phase, you want to think about:
- The new kitchen’s theme and how premium kitchen cabinetry will complement it
- The volume of storage space you require
- Whether you will re-front existing storage or opt for new installations
- Whether you require any built-in chilled or climate-controlled storage
- If you require any building work to expand your kitchen
Numerous styles are available, including minimalist, classical, Shaker, traditional,
Cottage, black/white, and rustic. Gourmet and chef’s kitchens often require additional storage beyond conventional cabinetry.
Choosing high-end materials and appliances
Also, consider the high-end materials and appliances you could use in your new kitchen. Planning these ahead of time allows you to budget and place bespoke orders.
Common high-end kitchen materials include copper, granite, marble, brass, and treated hardwoods. For modern kitchens, you may also need tempered glass, quartz and lacquered materials.
The options give the new kitchen a clean and crisp look. Getting the composition right allows you to achieve conventional or custom themes more easily than an option for inexpensive plywood or vinyl surfaces.
You should also consider appliances and how they combine with your custom kitchen organisation requirements. For example, full-size refrigerators or larder fridges provide intrinsic storage, giving you more room for sizable quantities of fresh food.
Most high-end kitchens use stainless steel for appliance shells, but enamelled or enamel-effect versions are also available for a less commercial look.
Larger appliances require additional storage, so adding custom cabinets next to cookers is helpful for convenient meal preparation.
Considering layout and functionality
Layout is also essential when planning luxury kitchen organisation. Mastering this step helps you make the most of the room, even when your home becomes chaotic.
Managing the layout is easier the more room you have available. However, even small kitchens can benefit from proper planning.
Here’s what to do:
1. Balance open and closed storage
You want to start by creating a mix of open storage for things you need all the time (like pots and pans) and closed storage for items that remain hidden away for longer. Combining the two can create the luxury kitchen effect you want. (For example, you could keep your crystalware in the open while hiding clumsy items like sous-vide machines in cabinets).
2. Maximise storage space through custom solutions
Next, consider how to customise your luxury kitchen storage to maximise space. For example, you could push storage up into corners or make full use of irregular alcoves in the wall.
3. Optimise the layout for efficiency
Another consideration is efficiency–the kitchen should naturally lend itself to work. For this, position the stove, sink and refrigerator within easy reach of each other. Ensure you have plenty of work surfaces nearby for chopping, cooking, and cleaning, and place bins close by for clippings, peels, and empty packets.
If you can, opt for panel-ready or built-in appliances that fit into the cabinetry. Choose items that give your kitchen a polished look while helping you cook more easily.
Working effectively with designers and contractors
Considering how you can work effectively with designers and contractors is also useful. The more seamless you can work together, the more likely they will bring your vision to life.
Start by communicating your vision. Use hand-drawn designs, mood boards, and 3-D models to show them what you want to achieve. Provide pictures and renderings of existing made-to-measure kitchens you like so they can better understand what you want to achieve.
It also helps to give them a budget and a timeframe. Providing a financial plan and schedule tells them how you want them to work and what you want them to achieve. Experienced contractors can tell you if your plans are realistic or require rethinking. It may be possible to work faster, but it could compromise quality, a scenario you want to avoid when installing luxury kitchen storage.
Being open to professional guidance and suggestions is helpful. Designers with experience can quickly tell you what’s feasible or how you could adjust your plans to better serve your goals. Simple changes can often bring completion dates forward by weeks.
Lastly, perform due diligence when working with designers and contractors. Ensure they have the professional licenses and insurance to safeguard your investment for smoother collaboration.
Timeframes and common renovation pitfalls
Finally, consider how long it will take to install bespoke, custom storage. Most jobs like these require eight to sixteen weeks, though you may need less, depending on how much hand-crafting you require.
Common pitfalls include:
- Failing to prepare for setbacks, such as structural surprises or plumbing issues.
- Altering plans mid-project in the hope of achieving better results
- Using inexperienced contractors who don’t understand custom storage installations
- Failing to allocate additional budget expenses (usually 10 to 20%)
Throughout this process, ensure you manage your expectations. Communicate with contractors regularly to stay informed so you can ensure your completed kitchen renovation reflects the space you want to achieve.