The organization is very important especially in the case of areas such as the kitchen where there’s a lot going on, lots of storage, lots of different features and not a lot of space to work with. Relying on clever and space-efficient storage systems is helpful but it’s also important to find a smart and practical way to organize the space. Creating an appliance garage is a really cool idea because it lets you group up small appliances into one spot where they’re accessible and out of the way at the same time. Here are some design options you might like.

This beautiful white kitchen has a little appliance garage for things like the coffee maker and the toaster. It’s an extension of one of the upper cabinets and it fits into the open space between the cabinet and the counter. It’s also positioned in the corner which is typically unused. This stylish design was created by BARRETT STUDIO architects.

There are several ways in which you can design an appliance garage. As mentioned before, the corner spaces are ideal for this because they’re not typically used for anything else, they’re out of the way but still very accessible and they’re very customizable. This is a closed appliance garage which has a door that easily lifts up to reveal the contents without being in the way. It’s a custom setup created by studio Nystrom Design.

This elegant appliance garage fits at the end of the kitchen peninsula and blends in seamlessly when the door is closed. It also features a very interesting design in the sense that there are individual pull-out trays for each appliance. This makes them more accessible and makes it easy to keep the cabinet organized. This small detail makes a big difference in the big picture. This beautiful kitchen was designed by etA ARCHITECTURE.

Placing and storing small appliances on the counter is comfortable and spares you the effort of having to take them out of a cabinet every time you want to use them. Dedicating a section of the kitchen counter to this can prove beneficial, especially if the space is big enough. This kitchen designed by Meier Residential is an inspiring example. Also, if you decide to go with an open design, consider adding task lighting.

Separating the appliance garage into distinct modules or having more than one is also an option. This decision can be based on a desire to make these modules blend into the cabinetry or to create dedicated sections for different types of appliances. Of course, there’s no need to overthink the design. Something simple like this can work out great in most kitchens.

Rondo Kitchen designed by Team7

There are a few more details to consider when planning your appliance garage. If you want to close it so the appliances are concealed and out of the way most of the time, you need to choose a type of door. Rolling doors are a nice option for casual kitchens. An advantage is that they can be completely open or partially open so only one section of the appliance garage is visible. That gives you the option to have a tall appliance garage with multiple shelves.

Designed by KnockKnock. Photography by Olga Soboleva.

Folding doors are a good option if you want your appliance appliance garage to blend in and match the cabinetry. They also give you easy access inside without being in the way when open and they’re more versatile and easier to install compared to other types of doors.

Lift up doors are really easy to open and close and on top of that they look very simple and clean and blend in effortlessly with the rest of the kitchen. They suit modern and contemporary designs and they’re very practical and space-efficient which is important in small kitchens.

Designed by Bowa.

If your appliance doesn’t offer enough clearance for regular doors to swing open and closed, consider sliding doors instead. Just like lift up doors, they’re very convenient and they go really well with modern and contemporary kitchens which are typically very simple-looking. In addition to that, you can also disguise sliding doors as a backsplash and that gives you a secret storage space behind them.

Designed by Kim Duffin for Sublime Architectural Interiors.

Storing small appliances on the kitchen counter is not ideal because that limits the total usable counter space you have and can also give the room a cluttered and disorganized look. Storing them at the back of a bottom cabinet is not practical either because it makes it difficult to take them out every time. A rising appliance garage however lets you combine these two options. The idea is that the appliance garage rises up out of the counter whenever you need it and can then be lowered back down, giving you full use of the counter.

Designed by Darren James Interiors.

Whether you swing them open, slide them or lift them up, the doors of an appliance garage can still sometimes be in the way. Tuck-in doors address this issue by providing a little pocket where the doors can fit so you have full access to the space inside from all sides. They’re very versatile and can even fit in corners.