Recent Posts
With over 10 years of experience at Varoco Design & Renovation Inc. dealing with the problems faced by Canadian households, we can assure you that if there is one universal challenge in any home, it is the constant feeling of having too little storage space in the kitchen.
The truth is that the organizers we find in stores are never enough, nor do they fit well with the rest of the cabinets. True efficiency comes when cabinets are custom-made to fit your needs.
At Varoco Design & Renovation Inc., as a company dedicated to custom kitchen and bathroom renovations in Waterloo & Kitchener, we have had the opportunity to work with many families. We have seen cluttered kitchens become spaces where everything flows, after implementing one or more of these custom cabinet options for kitchens.
1. The appliance cabinet
If there’s one thing that can visually clutter up a kitchen in a matter of seconds, it’s small appliances on the countertop. The coffee maker, toaster, air fryer, among others. The solution to this clutter is a cabinet with a door that opens upwards. When you’re not using them, the appliances disappear from view, but you always have them close at hand.
We adapt it to the exact size of your appliances and available space. No more squeezing your stand mixer into a space designed for something smaller.
2. Pull-out shelves in the pantry
Standard pantries tend to be deep and dark, and food and cutlery get lost at the back forever. Replacing fixed shelves with ones that slide out completely is a radical change.
We build them to hold real weight, like that ten-pound bag of flour, and we make use of every inch of space in your pantry. No space is wasted, and you can see everything you have at a glance, without hiding things that expire forgotten.
3. Drawers in the baseboard
This is what we call “secret” storage par excellence. That space under the base cabinets, where you rest your feet, is usually useless. Well, we can turn it into a shallow and very useful drawer.
They are ideal for storing flat items: baking trays, those large platters you only use at Christmas, or even your dog or cat’s food bowls, well hidden but easily accessible. Dead space comes to life.
4. Vertical dividers for trays and boards
Stacking oven trays and cutting boards horizontally is one of those things that seems logical until you try to take the bottom one out and the whole thing comes crashing down. With vertical dividers inside a cabinet, everything has its place and you can reach them effortlessly.
We adjust the slots to your particular collection. Make room for the huge turkey tray for celebrations and also the cookie trays you use every week. Everything is in order and there are no metallic noises every time you open the cabinet.
5. Custom drawers for cutlery and utensils
Buy a plastic cutlery tray from any store and, nine times out of ten, you’ll find that it doesn’t quite fit in the drawer. There’s a gap here, another there, and space is wasted. A custom-made organizer makes the most of every last millimeter.
6. Pull-out trash and recycling bins
Having trash cans on the floor inside a cabinet tends to be inconvenient. With a pull-out system, the bins are attached to the door. You open it and they’re right there, without having to bend down to look for them.
7. Refrigerated drawers
These are not full-size refrigerators, but rather cold drawers that can be integrated into kitchen cabinets.
They look great on a central island, keeping drinks and snacks close at hand, especially when you have guests. Or in that extra pantry for when the holidays roll around and you need extra space. The good thing is that you avoid opening the big refrigerator all the time for small items, and you also gain in efficiency.
8. Kitchen drawer for charging mobile devices
We live connected, which means we have cell phones, tablets, watches… always with low batteries. A shallow drawer, near the entrance to your home or on the kitchen island, can be equipped with built-in outlets and become your charging station.
Make sure the drawer is well ventilated so it doesn’t overheat, and organize the cables. This way, devices charge out of sight and countertops stay clear. When you get home, leave your cell phone there and you won’t see any cables until you need them.
Why is it worth investing in custom solutions?
You’ve probably seen lists of “storage ideas” online that recommend buying baskets or containers from a big box store. And sure, they help a little, but they’re usually temporary solutions, quick fixes. Custom storage is a permanent solution.
When we incorporate this type of solution directly into your kitchen cabinetry during a renovation, you can be sure of:
- Making the most of every corner: you can forget about those awkward gaps between a generic organizer and the cabinet wall.
- Gaining durability: solid wood and good construction withstand daily use much better than metal racks or plastic.
- Maintaining aesthetics: the storage is part of the cabinet, with the same finish and style. There are no “stuck-on” elements that clash.
At Varoco Design & Renovation Inc., that’s exactly what we do: we create kitchens in Waterloo and Kitchenes that adapt to your daily life, make your life easier, and ensure that every inch serves a purpose.
Contact us now! We will evaluate which of these custom cabinet options for kitchens best suits your home and the way you move around in it. We will be happy to help you shape your vision.
