Kitchen storage trends to avoid for a more functional cooking space, according to design experts

We hear you - getting kitchen storage to be both functional and fashionable can be frustrating. That’s why so many of us browse kitchen storage ideas for inspiration. While some of these ideas look great, they may not be as practical as you think, so it’s important to know which kitchen storage trends to avoid.

Our kitchens hold our lives together, from keeping cutlery organised to hiding knick-knacks from sight. They’re also costly to remodel, so selecting storage that’s practical rather than pretty should be high on your priority list. 

To gather a list of kitchen storage trends to swerve, we spoke to organisation experts who know only too well which styles won’t work for a busy home. Keeping these in mind when shopping for storage solutions will ensure your kitchen works at its best now and in the future.

Kitchen storage trends to avoid

The kitchen is one of the hardest working areas of the home, so it’s crucial to get the storage right. Steering clear of common faux pas and adding clever fixes will help you achieve the holy grail - a kitchen that’s organised and chic. 

1. Not planning storage in the design phase

Getting a new kitchen is exciting, and it can be easy to focus on the aesthetics instead of the essentials, like storage. Choosing the right options when you design a kitchen will make your layout easy to use in the long run. 

'Factoring storage into the planning stage will ensure your kitchen is designed to suit your lifestyle,' agrees Ruth Lavender, a design expert from Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery. 'For example, cooking enthusiasts need an area to stock up on ingredients, so adding a larder or pantry is ideal.'

If a new scheme isn’t on the cards any time soon, there’s no need to worry - you can still work with your existing setup to enhance your space.

'A simple tactic is to consider how you move around your kitchen, which will help you decide where to locate items,' adds Ruth. 'I’d advise zoning your storage, keeping utensils and crockery in one area and food in another.'

2. Cutting out wall cabinets

Open shelving in kitchens has been a look we’ve obsessed with for years. A staple in any small kitchen ideas list, it creates an airy atmosphere and keeps essentials nearby. 

However, getting rid of wall units completely means everything from mismatched mugs to cracked crockery is constantly on show, which can make the room look untidy - not great if you want the perfect #shelfie.

The best approach is to opt for a mix of wall units and open shelving. William Durrant, owner of Herringbone kitchens, concurs and says, 'Mixing upper cabinetry with floating shelves will create a lovely sense of space and add practicality while offering the opportunity to introduce colour and personality to the kitchen.'

3. Using complicated storage systems

From specialist drawer inserts to fancy electric lifts, the trend for complex storage systems has gotten out of hand. Yes, you want your space to be organised, but you also don’t want to overload your units with fixtures that make everything harder to get to.

The trick here is to go simple and concentrate on kitchen storage that adds value. Dedicated corner storage is a great example, as it’s one of the few kitchen layout ideas we think works for kitchens large and small. It’s a simple addition that unlocks an unused area and turns it into a valuable place for storing bulkier items, such as dried goods and backup supplies. 

But head of design at Magnet, Jen Nash, thinks you can go one step further to take your standard corner cabinetry from basic to brilliant. 'Adding a corner carousel or our Lemans Pull Out Corner Solution, will ensure you make full use of those awkward corners, turning them from inaccessible areas to space-saving solutions - plus they’re also easy to use.'

4. Dangling pots and pans from the ceiling

If you’re still hanging onto your hanging pot racks, it’s time to let go. Once a stylish way to keep everything close by, this look has quickly fallen out of favour as storage trends move towards more hidden styles. 

Let’s face it: for this idea to look good, it’s important to always have matching cookware or utensils. It also adds visual clutter, plus unused pans tend to accumulate grease and dust build-up, making this look hard to maintain for those with hectic schedules. 

Try housing pans in wall units or towers instead. You’ll need to reshuffle the existing cupboard contents to make room, and you can use this as an opportunity to get rid of items you’ve fallen out of love with.

5. Fixed furniture

A place to cook, dine, entertain, and more, our kitchens have become the most multi-functional room in a home. So it’s no surprise that our experts are seeing the shift toward moveable furniture that can be used or put away to suit different activities.

'Butcher-style islands and islands on legs are real statement pieces of furniture that allow for movement and give an extra detail to the kitchen,' reports William.

To make a kitchen island feature more flexible, lose the plinths and replace the cabinet legs with castors. You’ll still get the benefits of an extra work surface and storage, but you’ll gain the flexibility to switch up your kitchen layout to suit all occasions. 

Now that you’ve read our expert's opinions, which storage trends are you steering clear of in 2024?