9 Ways To Implement An Appliance Garage In Your Kitchen For Less Mess

Despite probably being among your most prized kitchen items, small appliances can become a nuisance if left sitting on your countertop — especially when they are not needed. They take up precious work surfaces and can add to unwanted visual clutter. One effective solution is to create extra hidden storage by installing an appliance garage. This trendy kitchen feature is basically a compartment where you can easily store your food-prepping devices and take them out when needed without having to move them that much.

The quintessential appliance garage design resembles a car garage attached to a house, hence its name. These are constructed like a shed, typically covered by a pull-down door and set on the same level as the counter. This makes it convenient to pull the electronic items into the work area and push them back afterward. However, there is surely more than one way to skin a cat. You can explore numerous other styles and configurations to implement your appliance garage. 

From using different door types to adding more functional features or making your special DIY version, we selected some of the most clever and creative methods that you can try or use as inspiration. Whether planning to build your own or considering upgrading an existing one, these appliance garage ideas can help you conceptualize your project and transform your crowded kitchen into a minimalist one.

Here is a great example of defining spaces by function. Rather than just using your garage as appliance storage, why not designate it as a coffee station? Neatly set all your hot beverage paraphernalia on a tray together with your coffee maker and electric kettle. You can include your mugs, teaspoons, teabags, coffee, creamer, sugar, and other related items. This makes coffee- or tea-making more efficient since you will need to open only one cabinet to access all you need. It is a simple tip that can make your kitchen more organized.

For those who cannot remember which cabinet is for which items, this option is something to consider. Using glass-front doors is a kitchen cabinet upgrade you cannot go wrong with. It allows you to easily view which items are stored inside your garage. This design can also help when moving your heavier appliances since you can immediately tell which side is vacant and position them accordingly. It is also a perfect way to showcase your modern household devices while staying clutter-free.

A lovely appliance garage sounds like a much better setup than having an awkward countertop corner space. This particular spot in your kitchen is usually challenging to utilize because there is no floor area parallel to it where one can stand. Therefore, using it as storage rather than as an open work area makes perfect sense. Its position right on the counter surface is also convenient, as you can simply push your food processor, juicer, toaster, and other devices in and out as needed.

The vertical lift cabinet door uses a special hinge that smoothly lifts the door panel up, moving it parallel to the cabinet face frame. It also holds the door open, allowing you to reach into the garage interior without any obstruction. This innovative design not only provides easy access to your appliances but also keeps the door away from traffic, creating a safer workspace. Moreover, its pneumatic system gently settles the door into the resting position, preventing it from banging and saving fingers from getting caught.

If you have a relatively small storage space, it could be difficult to keep on moving your appliance in and out of the compartment. YouTuber and DIY enthusiast Colleen Pastoor shares an innovative solution: installing a pull-out tray in her appliance garage. The clever upgrade conveniently pushes the devices out of their den and into the open. In this way, they can be operated on the spot without being lifted or transferred. The shelf is built using a wood panel connected to the garage interior with sliding brackets.

An appliance garage is one of the best places to install pocket doors in your home. As demonstrated in the Instagram reel of content creator Sya the Homemaker, this ingenious cabinet design features doors that slide inside slots, hiding them from plain sight. This is perfect for busy kitchens that often need open access to appliances for prolonged periods. At the same time, they can easily conceal them for privacy whenever there are guests or to keep them safe and tidy during the night.

If you have a deep counter space and can afford to custom-build, this appliance garage with its beautiful vertical sliding door may work for you. The design uses the back portion of the countertop as storage. A door hidden within the overhead cabinets is then pulled down to cover the area like a theater curtain. When closed, the door appears to be a lovely backsplash running the entire length of the counter. Lifting it up reveals the actual wall backsplash behind the appliances nestled inside.

Mom and design enthusiast MOMents with Karen on Instagram surely knows how to view things from different angles. This appliance garage that she shared features an extended slope reminiscent of the iconic secretary's desks of yesteryear. The design is strikingly elegant, and its slanted form adds character to an otherwise flat cabinet face. Apart from the aesthetic touch, it also creates more space for the garage's interior so it can house wider items, such as rice cookers and microwave ovens. A pneumatic vertical lift door is used as cover.

You cannot have electrical equipment without the electricity to power it. If you want your appliance garage to be more than just storage, choose a location that has a power outlet. This way, you can use your devices without having to take them out of the compartment. If your available space does not have any socket, then consider hiring an electrician to install one. You can also use an extension cord and find a smart way to hide the electrical wiring. For multiple appliances, a cord organizer can be a helpful add-on.