Optional Built-in Ideas for Kitchen Cabinets

Roll-out Options

• For the most convenient access to pots, pans, dinnerware and pantry items, you can have sliding cabinet shelves installed, which eliminate blindly reaching into dark cabinets to retrieve objects. Lower cabinets with roll-out drawers have deep inserts with removable plastic inserts to store large quantities of dry pet food or to collect recyclables. Instead of installing a butcher block countertop, you can opt for a cutting board that rolls back under the countertop when not in use.

Hidden Treasures

• Small kitchens benefit from built-in cabinets with pull-out shelves that conceal microwaves and small appliances, such as toasters and coffeemakers. The backs of the cabinets have electrical outlets installed in the rear so the appliances can be used by pulling the shelf forward without removing them and plugging them into other power sources.

Appliance Centers

• You can keep your kitchen organized by dedicating sections of the cabinet countertops to specific kitchen functions. An espresso/cappuccino maker, coffee mill, and steaming appliance can be included in a beverage center with holes in the backboard to hide the electrical cords underneath the countertop. Another handy built-in option is a cabinet top appropriated for food preparation that has five or six grounded outlets to handle heavy-duty electrical appliance needs. Installing a small sink in the cabinet adjacent to the appliance center makes cleanup easier.

Organizational Cabinets

• If you designate certain cabinets for dish and glassware storage, you can have plate holders built into the cabinets to store plates upright and wine glass holders installed in the tops of cabinets to securely store them upside-down by their stems. Built-in hooks that suspend cups and mugs from upper shelves leave storage room below. Face one of the cabinets with a built-in chalkboard to post dinner menus, make shopping lists, or leave notes for family members.

Built-in Storage

• To display fine crystal and china without a freestanding hutch cupboard, you can have a floor-to-ceiling cupboard with glass doors built into the kitchen cabinet design. For less formal displays, have a wall of cubbyholes incorporated into the cabinet layout. One or two built-in cabinets made from barn wood with chicken wire windows give the room a touch of down-home character.