9 Appliance Garage Ideas for Clean, Streamlined Counters

Appliance garage in kitchen — Photo:
Sara Ligorria-Tramp; Design: Julie Rose for Velinda Hellen Design

Designing a beautiful and functional kitchen is a dream come true for many homeowners, but kitchen and countertop clutter can be the stuff of nightmares. One feature interior designers often use to help keep kitchens clear and clutter-free is an appliance garage, which comes in a broad assortment of sizes, shapes, and styles.

What exactly is an appliance garage? According to interior designer Kerrie Kelly, an appliance garage is "essentially a small cabinet or compartment designed to house frequently used kitchen appliances." Small appliances like mixers, toasters, and coffee makers can still be easily accessible, but you can then simply close the door to keep them out of sight when they’re not in use.

If you’re thinking about adding an appliance garage to your kitchen, consider these designer-approved tips for creating the perfect storage solution for all of your small kitchen appliances.

Kerrie Kelly, NKBA, FASID, and CEO and creative director, Kerrie Kelly Design Studio
Barbra Scarpulla, designer and project manager at Brattesani Designs
Sandra Brannock, CPA, AKBD of Expert Kitchen Designs

01 of 09

Cabinet Doors

kitchen cabinets with beverage fridges and open shelving — Mary Kelly Photography/ Designed by Barbra Scarpulla

A custom cabinet with simple doors that finish on top of the counter and match the rest of your cabinets makes for a functional appliance garage, explains Barbra Scarpulla, a kitchen designer at Brattesani Designs. Keeping the cabinet level with your counter ensures you have plenty of workspace. This style is ideal for smaller coffee makers, milk frothers, blenders, and other small appliances.

02 of 09

Lift-Up Doors

Like roll-up doors, lift-up doors are efficient and space-saving. "This door will stay put in its open position if desired, so on busy mornings, the appliance garage door can remain open for multiple users without interfering with other kitchen activities," says Sandra Brannock, a kitchen designer and founder of Expert Kitchen Designs. You can also use lift-up doors instead of traditional cabinet doors above your appliance garage or in other areas throughout the kitchen.

03 of 09

Roll-Up Doors

Tambour roll up door — Courtesy of Bertch Cabinets

Roll-up doors, also called tambour doors, are an excellent choice when you’re short on kitchen space. "Tailor the size and design of the garage to fit your specific appliances," says Kelly. When the door is fully rolled up you can even use the appliance in place, which is helpful for heavier appliances like stand mixers or espresso machines you may not want to move for each use.

04 of 09

Roll-Out Shelves

A roll-out shelf, also called a pull-out shelf, is one that you can pull forward, making it easier to reach or use items in a cupboard or cabinet. Adding a roll-out shelf to your appliance garage allows you full access to your appliances without having to remove them from the shelf. This is particularly handy for appliances that give off heat, like a toaster, air fryer, or coffee maker, because steam and heat will need room to dissipate to prevent damage to the cabinet.

05 of 09

Use Vertical Space

kitchen with vertical appliance garage cabinets — Courtesy Sandra Brannock

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to creating your appliance garage, and if you have more vertical space than counter space, use it to your advantage. According to Brannock, an appliance garage can just be a tall wall cabinet that sits on the countertop with only one door. In this configuration, the lower portion of the cabinet acts as its own storage space for small appliances. Alternatively, you can use multiple lift-up doors stacked on top of one another to create the same effect.

06 of 09

Coffee and Drink Station

vertical appliance garage for coffee and drinks in kitchen — Courtesy of Barbra Scarpulla

Whether you are a coffee aficionado or an aspiring bartender, a coffee and drink station hidden in an appliance garage is a fun addition to your kitchen. Scarpulla recommends them, especially for those who love to entertain. Store your glasses, mugs, coffee maker, and other coffee and cocktail accouterments in one place and impress your guests when you pull back the cabinet to reveal your beverage station.

07 of 09

Pocket Door Cabinets

Pocket door cabinets have doors that fold back into the cabinet. According to Scarpulla, the beauty of these doors is that they put the area on display while it's in use and hide it whenever it’s not. The doors can be designed to look exactly like your cabinet doors so they blend seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen.

08 of 09

Microwave Station

white cabinets with coffee station — John Bessler

Few kitchen appliances are as polarizing as microwaves: most people either love them or hate them. "Some people designate a microwave over the stove, in the island, or above a wall oven; some clients don't use microwaves as often," says Scarpulla. An appliance garage designed to house a small tabletop microwave is a great solution for those who use them less frequently.

09 of 09

In-Cabinet Lighting

While appliance garages are mainly used to hide kitchen items you want to keep out of sight, you’ll still want to be able to see them when you need them. "Incorporate lighting to make it easier to see and use your appliances," says Kelly. If built-in lighting is cost-prohibitive, consider battery-powered solutions that can be easily mounted with sticky adhesive instead.

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