Kitchen cupboard ideas: Design trends and storage tricks

Kitchen cupboard ideas come in all styles and finishes. From beaded, cathedral arch, or shaker panelling, to glass, wood, or fluted finishes, the only limit is your imagination.

We’ve put together our favourite tips and trends to make the most of your kitchen cupboards – ideas that take you from kitchen decor bore to interior design phwoar!

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1. Trending kitchen cupboard ideas for seamless storage

Sustainability is the new normal when it comes to consumer decisions. We want to know what we’re buying is going to last, won’t hurt the planet, and can be recycled.

Consequently, eco-friendly items made from planet-friendly materials are booming in popularity. So, why not include bamboo furniture, glass pantry jars, and seagrass baskets in your kitchen cupboard design?

Not only do they boost your green credentials, but the rustic meets future-forward finish is perfect for mixing up your cupboard storage and breaking up the monotony of single cabinetry designs.

2. Vibrant and fun ideas for painting kitchen cupboards

Splashes of colour are a surefire way to brighten up your cupboard design. Paired with classic shaker panels and metal handles, you’re looking at a timeless style and finish.

If too much colour in one go feels overwhelming, consider breaking up the bold paint with a neutral counter shade, keeping the more daring brush to smaller areas like splashbacks or cupboard frames.

Another way to break up the colour invasion is to install glass-fronted doors. This mutes the effect and keeps it in the realm of understated elegance.

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3. Easy kitchen cupboard organization ideas

For kitchens with plenty of hustle and bustle, floor-to-ceiling cupboards are the name of the game. Inset shelves, air-tight glass jars and containers, shelf organisers, and deep drawers will keep everything you need safe and uncontaminated.

However, you’re going to need a ladder to reach those top-tier stored oats and grains, and there’s nothing more elegant than an oak ladder to help you traverse those heady heights. They’re the definition of practical style, adding character and accessibility all in one.

Top tip: If you hate cleaning the top of your cabinets, floor-to-ceiling designs remove the need to wipe down all that grease and dust buildup.

4. Itemised kitchen cupboard organizing ideas

There are lots of ways to store small and ‘bitty’ items in your kitchen. if there’s an item, there’s a way to store it in a neat and on-trend way.

For example, lazy Susan spice racks in your cupboards, pot and pan drawer organisers, wall magnet knife holders, utensil hooks, and wine rack inserts.

Related content: Kitchen shelf design inspiration: Jarring’ly beautiful storage.

5. Ergonomic ideas for corner cupboards in kitchens

Get the perfect angle with pull-out or rotating storage units. Designed to fit neatly inside your cupboards, they’re like made-to-measure puzzle pieces that avoid wasting an inch of space.

Perfect for those who hate having to climb into their cupboards to find what they’re looking for, a corner cabinet with an ergonomic design lets your kitchen meet its fullest storage potential.

6. Small kitchen cupboard ideas and tricks

The best way to maximise storage in your cupboards is to utilise every inch of available space. In short: if there’s some space, find a way to organise and fill it.

Stackable plate racks, tiered lazy Susans, cutlery drawer organisers, drawer separators, and cupboard door hooks or spice holders are all ways to keep your kitchen catalogued and categorised.

Related content: Kitchen cabinet design ideas: how to get the perfect blend of style and substance.

7. Odour-proof kitchen bin cupboard ideas

Let’s face it, having your bin on display doesn’t exactly embrace the transitional or minimalist design aesthetic you’re after.

Bins also suffer from another, more anti-social problem, which is their pungent odour. Although the pong is a byproduct of their purpose, it’s less than ideal.

Consequently, keeping your bin hidden away in a cupboard helps limit the stench while tidying up your aesthetic at the same time.

So, whether you opt for a fitted design, an automatic disposal unit, or a basket attached to your cupboard door, stay classy and keep your waste out of sight.

8. Featured kitchen cupboard design ideas

You don’t want to overpower your kitchen with too many fancy features. However, strategically designed cabinet doors that complement your chosen aesthetic will give your kitchen cupboard design the wow factor.

Plain slab cabinet fronts with bar handles pair perfectly with the top floating shelves and interspersed wood panels.

Colour blocking (or texture blocking as pictured) is an easy way to add playfulness and style to your interior design. For example, the bold colours of forest green and charcoal grey embrace the warm metal trend, adding sophistication and cohesion to this slick kitchen design.

Related content: Colourful kitchen ideas: Vibrant palettes full of personality.

9. Bold and beautiful kitchen cupboard decorating ideas

Get some luxe in your life with gold features and luxury finishes. Including metallics in your kitchen design is an easy way to add contrast and intrigue to any room.

The trick is to embrace the ostentatiousness. Go all out with dark gloss cabinetry, gold accents and furniture, industrial hanging lights, and velvet chairs. The result is a bold and beautiful kitchen aesthetic.

However, if you’d like to tone down the opulence, consider keeping the gold to a feature wall or splashback. Better yet, feature it on 3D fluted panelling, in the grain of your marble countertop, or on your cabinet handles.

Stylish and space-saving kitchen cupboard ideas for a small kitchen

Working with two tones in this small kitchen keeps the design minimalist yet on-trend. White and wood are two aesthetic flavour pairings that keep spaces warm and bright all year long.

A timber floating table with a lip to store matching chairs underneath keeps the space looking roomy. It matches the floating corner shelves that sit amongst the white cabinetry, which takes up the remaining space, from floor to ceiling.

Make it your own and create further interest by choosing your favourite wood and style. For example, Maplewood in a herringbone pattern or white oak in a chevron arrangement.

Top tip: For those who like a little more colour on their kitchen cupboards, a lime wash is a good way to highlight the wood grain and add some depth and tone.

Did you find these kitchen cupboard ideas helpful? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to check out our blog for more inspiration and design ideas.