Kitchen Fix: Good Spots for a Stepladder
See examples of convenient, safe and space-saving places to stash a step stool
Becky Harris
July 24, 2017
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Some of the most admired kitchens these days have floor-to-high-ceiling cabinets, with a glorious rolling library ladder keeping it all accessible. But not many of us have the room or the budget for that, and we’ve realized that precariously balancing on a swiveling counter stool while reaching for that seldom-used bread-making machine stashed way up high is a disaster waiting to happen. We just need a utilitarian stepladder to access our high cabinets and shelves, and a good place to keep it.
Out in Plain Sight
For this solution, you need to find a spot that people won’t be tripping over. This means out of the high- and even medium-traffic areas. And you’ll want a stylish stool that you’ll enjoy looking at. Shocking pink helps make this one highly visible.
For this solution, you need to find a spot that people won’t be tripping over. This means out of the high- and even medium-traffic areas. And you’ll want a stylish stool that you’ll enjoy looking at. Shocking pink helps make this one highly visible.
Here, the stepladder becomes a design element in a kitchen with chic workshop-inspired style. It is crafted in wood that matches other pieces in the kitchen, with its own special spot hanging from the island.
The overhang on this island keeps this step stool out of the trip zone.
This pleasing vignette shows a stepped silhouette, starting with the stepladder on the left, climbing a step to the butcher block island and ending at the range. Pushed to the perimeter, the ladder is out of the way.
Doubling as a Chair
This attractive step stool doubles as seating.
This attractive step stool doubles as seating.
These are vintage Cosco stools. The lower steps push underneath the counter stool — when you pull them out, the stool’s seat becomes the top step. You can search sites such as eBay for originals or find retro-style reproductions.
Tucked in the Pantry
If you’re lucky enough to have a pantry, you’ll find a good spot for the stepladder. It seems obvious, but be careful to place it where you won’t be banging your shins or tripping over it. This placement underneath the shelves at the far end of the pantry is just right.
If you’re lucky enough to have a pantry, you’ll find a good spot for the stepladder. It seems obvious, but be careful to place it where you won’t be banging your shins or tripping over it. This placement underneath the shelves at the far end of the pantry is just right.
Folded Up in a Shallow Cabinet
Some step stools fold flat, making them easy to store in a shallow cabinet. Use the space around the island …
Some step stools fold flat, making them easy to store in a shallow cabinet. Use the space around the island …
… or at the end of a row of cabinets …
… or integrate it into a refrigerator surround that is just a few inches thick.
This shallow pair of cabinets incorporate corkboards for calendars, keys and a stepladder.
Hanging in a Narrow Pullout Cabinet
The design of this cabinetry is so clever. Look closely and you’ll see that the stepladder’s pullout is camouflaged as part of the millwork in between the cabinet doors.
The design of this cabinetry is so clever. Look closely and you’ll see that the stepladder’s pullout is camouflaged as part of the millwork in between the cabinet doors.
Laying in a Toe-Kick Drawer
Toe-kick space is often wasted. But a small folding stepladder can tuck away into one of these space-maximizing drawers.
The Kitchen Storage Space That Hides at Floor Level
Toe-kick space is often wasted. But a small folding stepladder can tuck away into one of these space-maximizing drawers.
The Kitchen Storage Space That Hides at Floor Level
This particular model integrates the toe-kick drawer front right into the ladder. The entire thing folds up and hides beneath the cabinets.
Share: Have you found a good place for a stepladder or step stool in your kitchen? Please tell us about it in the Comments, and share a photo if you have one.
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Our family has always kept a folding stepstool next to the fridge. If your refrigerator is a couple of inches narrower that the space designed for it you have room for the stool. I currently have a small refrigerator and even have room for a broom and dustpan on magnet hooks.
Another great article, Becky!
I love the end of cabinet/island storage solution but I use my stool so much it would rarely be in it! I'm short, 5'3", and I can't reach the top shelves of even a 'normal' height kitchen.
I have two stools: one is an ugly round thing the rolls so I can kick it where I need it and then it's very secure when I step on it; the other is a wooden one with legs that fold up into it that matches the kitchen and can also be used as additional seating. It's heavy and I need two hands to move it so I use the ugly one more often.
However, some of the cabinets in our kitchen are higher than 'normal' and neither of these stools is tall enough for me so I have to drag the 'ladder' out of the mudroom. Fortunately, it's right next to the kitchen, but that ladder is too big to leave out (and too tall for an end of cabinet), so I have to put it back every time I use it. The pullout solution, or side of fridge, would have been perfect...
Those end panel cabinets look great but would cost a minimum of $1000, probably closer to $2000 with all the finished end panels. Not worth it.