5 Kitchen Storage Trends for a Cleaner, Less Cluttered Space

These days, the kitchen is more than just a place to prepare meals. It's an integral part of home entertaining, where guests can sit and enjoy a round of hors d'oeuvres, sip on cocktails, and mingle before dinner. Of course, with these shifting priorities, the design of your kitchen has to change as well.

In particular, where you keep ingredients, utensils, and small appliances has evolved quite a bit. Instead of leaving things on display, the priority now is freeing up counter space for cooking and spending time with friends. To get the full picture, we spoke with indusrty experts about the prevailing kitchen storage trends.

Appliance Garages

Appliance garages aren't entirely new, but they've definitely been growing in popularity over the last few years. "Now, even the coffee bar goes behind pocket doors," says Chloe O'Keeffe, design lead at California Closets. Hiding your air fryers, blenders, and mixing bowls helps achieve the "clear, clutter-free countertop" look that's so sought after, she adds.

These storage elements have a particular advantage: they're subtle yet stylish and keep all your various gadgets within arm's reach.

Butler's Pantries

If you have the room, then dedicating an entire space to kitchen storage can help make your space feel cleaner and more put-together.

"They’re more than just a place to store food," says Jennifer Pearson, design lead at California Closets. "These rooms can create a dedicated space for wine, serveware, entertaining essentials—and even a place to prep away from guests."

Butler's patios fall in line with the trend toward more organized, minimalist kitchens, or a front-and-back kitchen—one for prepping meals and mess, and the other for entertaining guests. "When items are neatly organized and easy to find, it adds convenience to daily routines and saves time hunting for lost items," she adds.

Glass Containers

Plastic storage containers are out, and glass is in. As concerns about microplastics mount, many are opting for glass instead—it's also more aesthetically pleasing.

"There's a big focus on multi-use containers that can go from oven or microwave to fridge, freezer, and dishwasher," says Molly Ross, commercial manager of the kitchen department at The Container Store.

Refrigerator Reorganization

Your refrigerator can be more than just a place where you store your food—many new models can actually help your food last longer.

"We're starting to see more products come to market that help extend the life of your food, which ultimately helps people waste less and spend more thoughtfully at the grocery store," says Ross.

Turntables

If you want a simpler addition to your kitchen organization, turntables are an on-trend option that makes it easy to reach for spices and condiments. "They're still everyone's best friend!" says Ross. "They're such an easy way to make the most of your space, while keeping things accessible."