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Weird and bonkers kitchen storage/arrangement ideas

57 replies

KatyMac · 28/07/2026 13:42

Dd and i are moving into a new house together

I'll be in the annex and them in the main house out kitchen will be very close or next to each other

I'll only need a kitchenette most of the time and any big cooking ill do in the main kitchen (Christmas, parties etc)

So i need space saving and mad ideas

One is to have a kitchen island on wheels with all the baking stuff in with a lft up shelf for the mixer and a pull out surface to work on (which might live in the utility but move to either kitchen area when one of us wants to bake)

The utility will also have a spare fridge/freezer foe overflow and the washing machine (unlikely to need 2)

So what have MN to offer in munusual ideas?

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KatyMac · 28/07/2026 13:48

Forgot to add photos

Weird and bonkers kitchen storage/arrangement ideas
Weird and bonkers kitchen storage/arrangement ideas
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KatyMac · 28/07/2026 19:34

Im making lists and reorganising cupboards i my mind

Im sure we can come up with something clever!

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sbplanet · 28/07/2026 19:42

Got to say the mixer on a fold down shelf looks like a disaster waiting to happen. The island thing looks okay. You have to decide whether they will be functional and useful. I'd put as much as you can in the utility/larder on shelves and some drawers, I'm presuming it's close-ish?

Ibi · 28/07/2026 19:48

If you only need a kitchenette, then you won’t need very much stuff at all as there won’t be the space or the cooking equipment to warrant lots of plates, saucepans etc. When you need the use of the bigger kitchen, surely your daughter will let you use the items in the big kitchen?

Baking equipment can be stored in the larger kitchen as you’ll probably need the larger kitchen in order to bake things and use the oven. I wouldn’t be buying extra things that take up space unnecessarily.

KatyMac · 28/07/2026 20:05

I'm disabled so currently my kitchen is set up very carefully for ease of use, in sort of zones for optimal use - so having it all on a trolley would be fab for me and give DD less stuff in the kitchen (although more in the larder/utility)

Moving equipment like a mixer would be hard for me (although I agree about the shelf looking dodgy - I'd like to speak to someone who has one!) - wheels are very tempting

I'll use the stuff in the bigger kitchen when I'm there but I guess Id like to do stuff in my own space sometimes (in my mind, maybe not in reality)

Big pans, roasting trays and serving stuff will all be in the bigger kitchen or in the larder/utility

We are working on ideas atm so nothing is set in stone

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Posywosey · 28/07/2026 20:19

Maybe go to IKEA and look at space saving kitchen ideas there? They have a lot.

sbplanet · 28/07/2026 20:27

We had a small IKEA butchers block that was on big castors. It never go moved but it was good storage. I wonder how safe/secure it is moving stuff around. Maybe whatever you decide on it should be you that moves and the equipment is as multifunctional as possible and stays put?

Giggorata · 28/07/2026 20:30

If there is space, I would have one of those narrow pull out shelves on wheels that can go behind the fridge or into small spaces between cupboards or somewhere. They are great for canned good or spices.

You could look into one of those shallow cutlery drawers that go on the top of kitchen drawers.

Some of the other things I use are:

Shelf extenders in cupboards, use cupboard doors for hanging things or saucepan lids.

Wire shelving on the back of the pantry door, for kitchen foil, bags, etc.

If the kitchen cupboards don't go up to the ceiling, fill that space with more cupboards on top, for things that don’t get used often, like Christmas items. (This might require help to get at them)

Loads of hooks. For example, all of my pans are hung up on one wall of my pantry, except for the posh ones that have their own stand.
I also hang drainers, colanders, etc from the pantry ceiling along with wicker baskets.

Magnetic shelves bars and hooks on the side of the fridge freezer, for towels, drying up cloths, oven gloves, etc.

Plate racks are good uses of space, for chopping boards, plates, trays and baking trays.
Magazine racks are good for small packets.

I have a cord between the walls of my under sink cupboard for drying cloths and a tension rod from which I hang squirty bottles of cleaning stuff.

KatyMac · 28/07/2026 20:40

I love ikea!! I should go live there!

My cupboards generally do go to the ceiling - but maybe not for the aesthetic of the kitchenette (although the main kitchen will as its less cleaning)

The house generally has space - its just my kitchen that is too small (well smallish)

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KatyMac · 28/07/2026 20:43

I currently use these for baking trahys and it works well (unless DH puts them away!)

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/variera-pot-lid-organiser-stainless-steel-70154800/

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BeardySchnauzer · 28/07/2026 20:43

I have one of those mixer pull out thingies and the mixer was too tall for it! So I have the magimix on it which works well. I don’t think the mixer would as well as it is a lot heavier.

downhillfromhier · 28/07/2026 20:48

In your kitchenette have space-saving nesting ideas like the Joseph Joseph nesting bowls in an appropriate colourway as they include a colander and measuring spoons.

Or Lock n Lock nesting containers for food storage
https://www.amazon.co.uk/LocknLock-Airtight-Food-Storage-Container/dp/B079K4LQN3?ref_=ast_bl_cpl_dp&th=1
In your kitchenette less should be more. Will you do dishes by hand or take them to the main dishwasher?

Amazon

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LocknLock-Airtight-Food-Storage-Container/dp/B079K4LQN3?ref_=ast_bl_cpl_dp&th=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-property-5559848-weird-and-bonkers-kitchen-storagearrangement-ideas

TheVeryAngryBanana · 28/07/2026 21:06

A Kenwood fits perfectly in a Kallax. It's more practical than that construction which will vibrate and rattle before collapsing! You could get a pull out shelf for no lifting and then sit on to of it

KatyMac · 28/07/2026 21:08

Yes we have the food storage ones they are good

I have old pyrex dishes that stack pretty well (I just have too many)

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KatyMac · 28/07/2026 21:09

ooo Kallax I like that idea - with the folding table for food prep

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7238SM · 28/07/2026 21:13

-Look at space saving ideas/shelving etc used in caravans and boats
-Get drawers rather than cupboards
-Plug sockets raised up off the ground and around the kitchen, get FAR more than you think you'll need

Sgtmajormummy · 28/07/2026 21:27

I like the idea of a chopping board that fits across an open drawer, to increase your work surface. That’s what I need most.
Some of my cupboards are organized with shoebox-sized baskets that I pull out when necessary: baking, rice and pasta, assorted teas and hot chocolate, everyday breakfast, tins. At least nothing falls into the back!
Since we got an air fryer the oven is mostly used for frying pan storage…
I’d make the most of your joint utility room, making part of it into a pantry/appliance store.

KatyMac · 28/07/2026 22:08

Boats and caravans - deep dive booked!

Love chopping board in the drawer, I use tupperware in cupboards

& yes larder/pantry/utility!! Carefully planned

Thanks

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KatyMac · 30/07/2026 21:07

So we are sharing a utility - it has 2 doors one to each kitchen space

It will have washing machine, sink, dishwasher, extra fridge freezer loads of wall storage and maybe the baking trolley as DD loves the idea

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Areyoumouldy · 30/07/2026 23:53

I like those ceiling hooks where you can hang your pans, i imagine they save a lot of cupboard space.

KatyMac · 31/07/2026 08:01

I may not have a lot of pans but ill have a think

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JugfullofRoses · 31/07/2026 08:14

I have a pull out 'worktop' in my kitchen that looks just like a drawer front, and is made up of slats of formica type material which kind of just rolls up somehow inside when you open and close it. It's surprisingly rock solid. The kitchen is probably 30 years old so might not be available any more, but might be worth investigating.

KatyMac · 31/07/2026 10:57

I like the sound of that! Thanks

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Bjorkdidit · 31/07/2026 11:07

I think I'd definitely avoid keeping the mixer in your kitchen if you're space limited - perhaps keep it in DDs and use it while she's at work? Any scope for keeping it in an 'appliance garage' with an inbuilt plug socket so you can use it without needing to move it?

Why an appliance garage is the latest trend that no stylish kitchen should be without | Ideal Home

Ikea is great for space saving ideas, we have pull out drawers in our base cabinets - large ones for pans with shallow ones under the worktop in the same drawer for spices, cutlery etc.

For cooking, I'd look at an air fryer/microwave combo. If you have access to DDs kitchen for 'big' cooking, you should be able to cover all your needs with this and a hob. The one at Ikea has poor reviews, but John Lewis have a good one that's always out of stock, but other brands are available.

John Lewis Air Fryer Microwave, 26L, Black / S Steel

Pink kitchen with shaker cupboards, a green bench and a pantry.

Why an appliance garage is the latest trend that no stylish kitchen should be without

Here's why you won't be able to live without an appliance garage in your kitchen

https://www.idealhome.co.uk/kitchen/appliance-garage-pantry-design

Promisingtree · 31/07/2026 11:17

Those wee Ikea trolleys with three shelves are great and very easy to move around. You can get a wooden block that fits the top shelf too. I'll look for a picture. They come in two sizes and different colours so you could colour code your different supplies!

Weird and bonkers kitchen storage/arrangement ideas