skip to main content

Creative uses for a cabinet at end of your island or peninsula

14 years ago

My plans call for a narrow cabinet for a step stool at the end of my peninsula. However I just saw another idea at a friend's house. She has a cabinet with narrow selves that she uses to store plastic wrap, aluminum foil, boxes of zip lock bags, etc. and I was thinking that this may be a better use for the space. Hoping some of you might share what you've done or seen - with pictures if possible.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

rhome410
14 years ago
I our last house we had a 6 inch space in the middle of a run of cabinets that we used for a step stool. I loved having a place to tuck it away, while also keeping it handy. Which do you need more...the stepstool space or the plastic wrap/foil/bags space? That sounds like a good idea, too...Although those can go in a shallow drawer, but a step stool can't. :-)
gwentm
Original Author
14 years ago
The cabinet will face both the refrigerator and oven which would be a really good location for wraps, etc. I have a laundry room in very close proximity so, while not as convenient, it would not be very inconvenient as a location for the step stool. You have a good point about the drawer. I will think about what I will be putting in the drawers and see if I have room in one of them.
Related Discussions
What do you have at the end of your peninsula? Except a trashcan
Q
Comments (11)
One of our peninsulas is b/w the DR & Kitchen w/the refrigerator opening into the passageway. The last cabinet on that peninsula is a 4-drawer stack containing, top-to-bottom: * Flatware * Plastic wraps & bags * Extension cords * Bread. The flatware is used most in the DR and at the peninsula, the leftovers are handled either on the peninsula or to the right of the refrigerator, and lunches are made there as well. The end of the peninsula has a decorative door. (No decorative doors on the back of the peninsula b/c people sit there and (1) stools hide anything you have there, (2) I didn't want to reduce the overhang clear space at all, and (3) it saved $$$ (my DH really liked that one!) The peninsula on the other end is b/w the kitchen & small hall to FR with the ovens across from it and the cooktop in the base of the "U" close by. The last cabinet is a 3-drawer stack with, top-to-bottom: * Potholders * Cookie Cutters, Rolling Pin, etc. (all baking tools) * Miscellaneous (candles, ice trays, popsicle molds, etc.) That area is my Baking Center and that drawer stack is b/w the ovens & cooktop. The end of this peninsula also has a decorative door. (The back of this peninsula is also a functioning cabinet next to the wall + decorative door panels.) HTH!
...See More
kitchen islands/peninsula using Medallion cabinetry
Q
Comments (0)
Does anyone have any pictures of Medallion Cabinets with a base cabinet and a wine cube next to a base cabinet. I want to install a peninsula with seating on one side and at the end of the peninsula (the part that is seen when you come into the kitchen) use an 18" or 24" deep base cabinet with drawers (so it looks more like furniture) and next to it place a wine cube so the granite can sit on top of the base cabinets and the wine cube. HELP!! Did anyone use Medallion wine cubes on the base?
...See More
Cabinets above island/peninsula photos
Q
Comments (15)
We debated long and hard about having one BIG island, or two smaller ones. Finally decided on two smaller islands, and they ended up working very well. The island with the range has a big Vent-a-Hood over it. (The range is a 6-burner Dacor Epicure, and we stir fry a lot. So a downdraft vent would have been marginal, at best.) To balance the look, we put a cabinet over the other island. It has fluorescent lights under it for task lighting. It has a smaller footprint than the island, so there is no possibility of 'head banging'. Here are a few photos. Our house has a mid-century modern feel to it, so our cabinetry is intentionally ornament-free compared to others you will see here on GW. (And sorry for the lack of 'staging' in the photos... :-) Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen photos
...See More
Need creative idea for back of peninsula
Q
Comments (13)
I have an issue where the end of my island has two columns. I was trying to figure out whether the granite should go between the two columns at the end. Ultimately I decided to have a little elevated (above the counter) shelf at the end (not covered in granite). Below the little shelf would be attractive outlets for using laptops and devices. IME, the wall end of a peninsula is where people end up sitting with their laptops, and it's nice to have handy plugs that you don't have to root around in dark places to find. Adorne outlets are pretty beautiful. For example: Make the little shelf look intentional, for example a picture ledge
...See More
megradek
14 years ago
I've got 2 12" wide cabs facing the opposite ends of my island. On my oven side I have all my baking sheets, racks, etc.

the other side (just shelves) remained empty until just recently. I ended up filling it with all my baby bottle, nursing/pump supplies! :)
gwentm
Original Author
14 years ago
bump
pirula
14 years ago
Definitely use the wasted space. We had custom cabinets so I'm not sure what can be done with semi-custom etc. We put a wine fridge at the end of our island and that left about 5-6 inches on either side of the wine fridge. I had Crownpoint make those two sides into shallow shelved cabinets on either side of the wine fridge. It's where we keep all our glasses. I can't imagine what I'd do without that storage now.
formerlyflorantha
14 years ago
If you enter the space from around the corner, you get a shallow space for shelves.

We're putting in a space at bottom to stack 10 bottles of wine, 5 across and 2 high, between horizontal dowels. Above that are a couple open shelves. Kleenex box? display space? items heading elsewhere like salt and pepper for the deck? stay tuned.
jeri
14 years ago
This is from several years ago - some of the old timers might recognize it. This seemed like an interesting idea...
amberley
14 years ago
I just did this! We had about 5" left at the end next to the trash, and I hacked an IKEA cabinet to fit. We had to hide the receptacle and wiring on the side, but otherwise it will be a very functional 24" wide x 5" deep cabinet for oils, vinegars, etc. that aren't ones I use every day. It would work for all the wraps too, but I think I would find bending over to use those (which I use more often) a bit cumbersome.

Related Stories

SMALL KITCHENS The 100-Square-Foot Kitchen: No More Dead Ends

By Mitchell Parker

Removing an angled peninsula and creating a slim island provide better traffic flow and a more airy layout

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Layouts: Island or a Peninsula?

By KitchenLab Interiors

Attached to one wall, a peninsula is a great option for smaller kitchens

KITCHEN DESIGN The Best of My Houzz: 20 Creative Kitchen Islands

By Becky Harris

Nixing ready made for readily imaginative, these homeowners fashioned kitchen islands after their own hearts

KITCHEN DESIGN What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen

By Becky Harris

One-of-a-kind lumber warms a room and adds age and interest

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Confidential: 13 Ideas for Creative Corners

Discover clever ways to make the most of kitchen corners to get extra storage and additional seating

KITCHEN DESIGN Cooking With Color: When to Use White in the Kitchen

By Jennifer Ott Design

Make sure your snowy walls, cabinets and counters don't feel cold while you're riding white's popularity peak

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Inventive Ideas for Kitchen Islands

By Laura Gaskill

Printed glass, intriguing antiques, unexpected angles – these islands show there's no end to creative options in kitchen design

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Creative Design Moves Rescue an Island Cottage

By Becky Harris

Facing down mold and nicotine, two industrious Canadian designers transform an uninhabitable wreck into an artful getaway

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Creative Looks for Kitchen Cabinets

By Laura Gaskill

When plain cabinet finishes just won’t cut it, consider these elegant to inventive approaches

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Color and Creativity for a Family of Foodies

By Becky Harris

An Arts and Crafts bungalow’s renovation includes custom touches, a hardworking island, a cozy banquette and room for lots of cookbooks

Sponsored

Fourteen Thirty Renovation, LLC

23 Reviews

Professional Remodelers in Franklin County Specializing Kitchen & Bath

More Discussions

contractor chooses kitchen

16

Need help with countertops!

11

coffee maker on quartz??

2

Shiloh vs. Showplace Cabinets....which do you recommend?

5

Silestone vs Dekton

2