The kitchen tour returns with a clear look behind the doors and drawers to show exactly where everything lives. Where’s the trash? Where are the knives? What about the blender for morning smoothies? Where’s all the food? All of that is about to be revealed. If you missed our full kitchen reveal from last week, I recommend checking that first for the overall design and layout.
We’re thrilled with how the kitchen looks, but improving function was the main goal. After landing on a completely new layout for the room, we still had to decide on cabinet and drawer types and then determine how best to store our items for daily convenience. To make organizing manageable, we divided the space into functional “zones” and organized each area with a specific purpose in mind.
Rather than showing every single drawer in photos, we made a video walkthrough where Sherry opens drawers and doors and explains what goes where and why. It’s the most direct way to see how the system functions in real time.
Our dog Burger made a few cameo sounds during the filming because the kids had closed the bonus room door and he could smell snacks. Classic Chihuahua behavior.
Not all cabinets are fully stocked right now, which is intentional. We like having extra space so the kitchen doesn’t feel cramped and so there’s room for new gadgets and growing needs. If storage ever becomes excessive, we’ll consider that a good problem to have.
Below is a detailed run-through of how we use each zone and why certain storage choices work best for our family.
The Island Zone
The island features deep drawers on the side facing the window, with doored cabinets on either end. We opted for doors instead of open shelving because the nearby living room built-ins already offer plenty of display space. The end cabinets house cookbooks, directories, and other items used in the living room, such as a small sewing box.
Our microwave is installed under the island, and to its left are stacked drawers that hold our plates and silverware. Storing dishes in drawers has been a game changer. We installed spring-loaded wood-toned dividers to separate large drawers into sections and an expandable silverware organizer for flatware. Having place setting items near the island seating makes serving and clearing the table effortless.
Unloading the dishwasher is easier now because there’s no bending up and down between a low dishwasher and an upper cabinet. The plate and bowl stacks stay put when drawers open and close, and the dividers keep everything organized so anyone can put things away on autopilot.
To the right of the microwave, a second stack of drawers holds lunch-making supplies in the top drawer—bags, reusable containers, napkins, and foil—while larger bowls and platters occupy the lower drawers. The bottom drawer is home to our giant griddle.
The Stove Zone
We continued the drawer strategy around the stove, flanking it with deep drawer base cabinets. A kitchen designer recommended this and it has worked out beautifully. Pots and saucepans fit in the bottom drawers, with lids stored inverted so handles fit inside the pots.
Instead of a countertop knife block, we use a knife storage insert designed to fit into a drawer, which frees up counter space and keeps blades out of view. Small gadgets like can openers and citrus juicers are contained in bamboo boxes for neatness.
On the other side, a top drawer is dedicated to spices. We installed angled spice organizers made for drawers, which are far more efficient than a crowded tiered shelf in an upper cabinet. Spices are visible, easy to grab, and stay put.
Other drawers near the stove hold skillets, mixing bowls, bakeware, and bake pans. If baking becomes a bigger hobby and our collection grows, we could add vertical dividers or relocate items to the large, currently mostly empty, cabinet under the window.
Upper cabinets near the stove store frequently used cooking oils, vinegars, and glass containers for leftovers, keeping essentials within arm’s reach while cooking. The cabinet on the opposite side functions as a small beverage center with mugs and tea supplies near the kettle.
The Pantry Zone
The cabinets surrounding the fridge make up our pantry zone. Our tall pantry cabinet to the left of the fridge includes deep roll-out shelves that store most dry goods. The pull-out function prevents items from getting lost in the back, and we added small baskets to group similar items for easy access.
The shelf above the pantry holds less-used baking tools and guest coffee packets, while the cabinet above the fridge stores coolers and travel mugs. On the opposite side of the fridge we added a low appliance garage that takes advantage of an outlet so small appliances can be stored and used without cluttering the counters. The garage sits low for easy reach and has a high interior shelf for extra storage of bread, dry ingredients, and other pantry extras.
Above the appliance garage is overflow pantry space for snacks and paper goods. It’s a practical spot that keeps frequently used items close yet out of sight when the doors are closed.
The Mudroom
A hidden mudroom adjacent to the kitchen is one of the most functional additions. It organizes coats, shoes, purses, leashes, backpacks, and keys with individual sections for each family member so no one has to dig for their belongings. We even added outlets inside the cabinets for charging devices out of sight.
The Buffet
The shallower cabinets on the opposite wall, which we call “the buffet,” function as Sherry’s decor storage. Candles, planters, vases, and seasonal decor now live here instead of getting lost in deeper built-ins. The shallower depth keeps things visible and easy to rotate into use.
Miscellaneous
A few remaining cabinets hold cleaning supplies, trash and recycling, tools, and party supplies. To the right of the sink we keep dish towels in a drawer and roll-out trash and recycling bins below. One cabinet stores tools like drills and screwdrivers, and another houses larger party supplies. The most prized drawer on this side is the mega junk drawer, organized with wood dividers and storage boxes to corral tape, pens, stamps, and miscellaneous odds and ends. Velcro strips keep organizers from sliding when the drawer opens and closes.
That covers the main storage zones. The video walkthrough shows everything in motion if you want a closer look. As our family’s needs change and hobbies evolve, some items will shift, but for now this setup makes daily life easier and keeps the kitchen feeling calm and organized.
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