It's not unusual to have an entire collection of small kitchen appliances these days. Juicers, blenders, and coffee machines, just to name a few, are taking up precious countertop space. The good news? Appliance garage ideas are the perfect way to keep them within reach but out of sight when they're not in use.
While the appliance garage trend is nothing new, they are certainly becoming a staple in kitchen design. Offering an accessible and efficient way to store all of your smaller appliances without creating an eyesore, they've become a must-have in kitchens of all styles and sizes.
If you're not sure how to introduce one to your scheme, or simply need some inspiration for creating a seamless design, we've turned to designers to discover their favorite appliance garage ideas. Plus a few tips to ensure you're getting the most out of this genius design feature.
7 appliance garage ideas
Just because a kitchen feature is functional doesn't mean it can't be aesthetically pleasing too. These expert-approved appliance garage ideas offer plenty of inspiration for creating a dedicated zone for your most used appliances.
1. Create a 'breakfast pantry' with an appliance garage
An appliance garage doesn't have to be purely functional. If you prefer to create zones in your kitchen, why not create appliance storage that's dedicated to your favorite ritual of the day? Whether it's a coffee station or a breakfast pantry, an appliance garage can become a nook in its own right.
'As the kitchen has become a multi-purpose hub not just for cooking, but also relaxing, working, and entertaining, the need to keep this space more organized has increased. Introducing hidden elements such as an appliance garage or breakfast pantry can make all the difference,' says kitchen designer Tom Howley.
'A breakfast pantry can be designed to incorporate your entire morning routine, from a professional coffee machine and toaster to storage for everyday crockery and a whole host of cereal options for the kids,' he explains.
By introducing an appliance garage dedicated to breakfast, you can create a functional storage space for your coffee maker, toaster, blender, and cereal selection that feels like more than just somewhere to hide them.
2. Add decor to your appliance garage shelves
As much as an appliance garage is about function and organization, there's always an opportunity to add your favorite decor. Quite often, the upper shelving above countertop height will be more sparse, leaving space for art, trinkets, or books.
Approach decorating how you would if you were styling shelves anywhere in your home. Introduce a mixture of kitchen essentials and more decorative pieces for a stylish but not overly curated display.
In this appliance garage, the top shelf is reserved for a traditional pasta maker, white the shelf below has been turned into a mini kitchen library with cookbooks and a glass decanter.
Simple drinkware pieces can make beautiful decorations when they're not in use. This carafe would make a lovely addition to your appliance garage decor – display it on a shelf amongst other kitchenware and decorative items to add interest to a functional space.
If you're going to display books in your appliance garage, recipe books are a must-have. This binder is a beautiful option if you want somewhere to keep all of your favorite and personal recipes in one place. Plus, this gingham print adds a gorgeous pop of color.
Where space permits, you can't go wrong with storing a few of your favorite serveware pieces in an appliance garage, especially if your toaster lives in it. A stack of these stoneware plates will look lovely alongside your appliances, and add a textural element.
3. Make sure you have sufficient outlets
It's not all about storage and aesthetics. There are a few practical elements that need to be considered – and they're crucial to a successful appliance garage design. It's all well and good to create a dedicated space for your small appliances to live, but you need to make sure you have a power source to be able to actually use them.
'Many items that are stored in the appliance garage require electricity – so add an outlet, and perhaps a built-in docking station for charging phones, tablets, and other electronic devices,' suggests Jessica Petrino, educator & appliance expert at AJ Madison.
If you're re-designing your kitchen, adding outlets is a relatively easy addition – either add extra outlets or locate your appliance garage somewhere in your kitchen that is already wired. If adding outlets isn't an option, consider introducing some type of extension lead out the back of your appliance garage, but ensure it's up to code first!
4. Introduce pocket doors
The appeal of an appliance garage is that you can store your appliances exactly where you use them. But for it to be functional for everyday use, there needs to be an easy flow between your appliances and other areas of your kitchen, so the last thing you want is cupboard doors getting in your way.
Instead, opt for pocket doors that slide into your cabinetry's sides. This way, when using your appliance garage, you have easy access without obstructions. This space is a lovely example, where the doors almost disappear, with just the statement hardware peeking out.
5. Ensure you have enough space to house appliances and accessories
No appliance comes on its own. In fact, most modern machines have add-ons and accessories that need to be stored alongside them, meaning extra storage space needs to be factored into your design.
'Before deciding on a design, it’s important to consider your small appliances collection. Most people frequently use 2-3 items such as a coffee maker, a food processor, and a toaster. It’s critical to account for storage and access to these frequently used items,' says Jessica.
'Note that many small appliances come with small parts, pieces, and accessories such as Nespresso pods, blender attachments, or a bagel slicer. A thoughtful design will account for these extra parts and accessories to be stored near the small appliance,' she adds.
If you love a cup of joe in the mornings, you've probably got quite a few coffee pods to store. Opting for storage like this pod carousel keeps up to 50 pods tidy without taking up an abundance of space – ideal for an appliance garage.
Small glass canisters are essential in any appliance garage to keep the space looking and feeling organized. These come in two sizes, perfect for storing anything from tea and coffee to sugar and snacks.
Appliance accessories can easily get lost or misplaced without a dedicated home, even within an appliance garage. Instead, introduce a couple of baskets to store them in. These rattan examples are pretty and practical.
6. Integrate drawers to make the most of space below countertop height
Appliance garage ideas are all about adding storage in a useable and organized way. However, anything below countertop height can't really be utilized for your small appliances, so introducing some sort of closed storage maximizes space and gives you a place to hide unsightly essentials.
Three large drawers have been added below this appliance garage, offering plenty of space for storing anything from pots and pans to mugs and extra ingredients you don't reach for every day.
The seamless design is proof storage can be stylish – the vibrant green hue paired with the traditional-style brass hardware adds timeless appeal.
7. Only add your most used gadgets to an appliance garage
You're not alone if you've collected quite the hoard of appliances. But cramming them all into your appliance garage will instantly make the space feel less functional, and you'll probably end up not using it to avoid confronting the mess.
'My suggestion would be to dedicate that space to frequently used items – it’s a high-traffic zone. Cooking styles vary greatly, and everyone’s experience is subjective. Seldom-used gadgets, for example, an ice cream machine, pasta maker, Soda Stream, immersion blender, stand mixer, crock pot, or dehydrator can have a place in the kitchen – just not in the high-traffic zone,' says Jessica.
If you have any extra appliances that don't get used regularly, keep them in a cupboard so they aren't filling your appliance garage, and keep only the items you use most days within easy reach. This will not only create a more functional zone, but it will look much more aesthetic with an edited selection.
There are plenty of appliance garage ideas to consider in order to create a feature that is both stylish and practical. Whether you design a zone dedicated to your favorite meal or make it the organization hub of your kitchen, theses expert ideas can easily be tailored to suit your lifestyle and space.
