It can be really easy to end up with a kitchen overrun by small appliances. Microwaves. Crock Pots. Toasters. Mixers. So the trick is finding a way to hide small appliances in the kitchen.
Even if you are trying to live with a more minimalist mindset, there can be quite a few oft-used small appliances that can take up valuable real estate in your kitchen.
When we designed our current kitchen, I desperately wanted it all out of sight. Both because I like the aesthetics of cleared countertops and also because it’s easier to keep counters clean when they are not cluttered with tons of stuff.
Enter – the small appliance cabinet.
HOW TO HIDE SMALL APPLIANCES IN THE KITCHEN
It may look like a normal wall of cabinets from the outside, but it performs double duty. Inside, it stores away oft-used appliances – THAT I CAN USE WITHOUT REMOVING FROM THE CABINET.
The microwave, coffee maker and toaster get almost daily use. And everything is right here that I may need. We added the outlet below so it could be stored away.
The best part? I can make my cup of coffee in the morning with very little thought (all the Keurig pods are in the top drawer and the mugs are stored right behind the toaster). I even keep a little pitcher inside the cabinet for water fill-ups.
Then, I can pop in a bagel and go about my day.
For the microwave, I keep my microwavable stoneware right next to the appliance. And a can of spray oil for the egg pan.
I guess the key is making it super usable – grouping items by use helps it to be much more efficient. 
It’s nothing fancy inside – no expensive containers or finishing details. There are even some crumbs. But it’s been such a wonderful way to keep our countertops cleared off while also keeping oft-used appliances close to hand.
Form over function, my friends.
Note: I keep this cabinet open while using, making sure it allows for plenty of ventilation. I don’t think I’d use this for something like a slow cooker, that needs to cook all day.
I’m sharing because when I was looking for solutions like this, I had a hard time finding things that weren’t out in the open or highly custom. I wanted something accessible but also something that could be easily hidden.
In this case, you can truly make this work in most kitchens with a little extra cabinetry. Think about ways you can keep your small appliances inside your cabinets – saving you time and energy when using them.
I also use this side of the kitchen to store away other small appliances that are used less frequently – like the slow cookers, Instant Pot, bread maker and countless other must-haves. I fit them into the upper cabinet (for bulky items that are rarely used) and the bottom drawers (for smaller items that I access more).
I do still have to get them out when I’m using them. But because they aren’t daily use items, it’s less of an issue to get them out to use them. (And since they have a designated home, they are easy to put away.)
If you are looking for more out-of-the-box solutions in your kitchen, check out these posts:
How do you store away your coffeemaker and other oft-used small appliances?
Like this post? Put a pin on it.
MORE KITCHEN ORGANIZATION
PLANNING KITCHEN STORAGE AND ORGANIZATION
KITCHEN CABINET ORGANIZATION IDEAS
This is a great post! Totally bookmarking for a future renovation! My husband got me a Hello Kitty toaster as a gift a million years ago. Since we use it so frequently it seems silly to put it in a cupboard and move it every day, and since it’s a token of love I can’t give it away and get a new one, but having Hello Kitty on my counter is not EXACTLY what I had in mind with decorating. 🙂
Hahaha… I can totally understand! And this would be a great solution for Hello Kitty.
Love this so much! Because we did away with so many upper cabinets and did the 10 foot island this wouldn’t have worked for us, but I’ve grouped things in trays and upgraded to nicer small appliances that match and that has helped with the aesthetic. Real people live here and real messes are a constant battle. Love your kitchen, friend!
I saw a couple cabinets similar to this at our Parade of Homes – some had the kind of door hardware that lets you open the cabinet and then slide them back inside. Does require some shelf modification to let the doors pass by, but potential future modification if you wanted a way to keep the doors open but out of the way!
Yes! I know just what you are talking about! I think that would be a wonderful solution, too!