Coffee pot and blender are pushed behind flip-down doors when not in use.  The kitchen cleans up in minutes and appliances are out of sight, an important feature in today’s kitchens that are open to entertaining spaces.

See this entire kitchen and all its great design ideas.

Squeeze a pantry into a narrow closet or wall space at the top of basement stairs. Narrow shelves make items easy to spot.

A pullout pantry makes good use of narrow space. This clever pantry in a New York City kitchen designed by Robert Schwartz has a tiled front so when it is closed it looks like part of the tiled wall.

A set of TV trays fits vertically into a niche in this island, their warm wood tones adding a punch of color to the otherwise muted palette of yellows.

Kitchen design: Dalia Tamari

Marble slabs make for dramatic and useful open shelves in this kitchen. A row of small file drawers holds recipes cards, spices, and small items.

Drawer dividers and organizational accessories are sold at home improvement stores and can be ordered from most cabinet manufacturers. This drawer insert slants bottles at an angle to facilitate reading the labels. Spices keep best when stored away from light and heat sources, so drawer storage is a good option for seasonings used infrequently.

Plate racks are as practical as they are charming. Dowel dividers prevent chipping and simplify chores such as setting the table and emptying the dishwasher.

A stainless-steel tambour door slides up to reveal a mini-coffee station. Because the garage sits on the counter, it is easy to pull out the coffee maker and supplies and wipe up spills.

Hang attractive (and well-maintained) pots and pans from a metal rack near the range. Racks keep cookware within reach, and will protect items from scratching and damage that can occur when pans are stacked.

A closet can be converted into a small pantry, where food and dishes can be stored on open shelves. Baskets on lower shelves store potatoes, onions, and other snack items.

An antique hutch was reconfigured as a wet bar in this Florida kitchen. The upper portion of the hutch was hung on the wall and holds glassware. The small bar sink was installed in the base cabinet.

Architectural design: Molly Frey

Paper towels are discreetly tucked into a built-in dispenser to the left of the sink, right under the counter-one of architectural designer Louise Brooks's clever trademark solutions.

Architectural design: Louise Brooks

A glass-front cabinet in a hallway between the kitchen and boldly painted pantry showcases antique table linens, each neatly hung on dowels and tagged with its size. The pantry is painted with bold green and soft blue.

Architect: Todd Hansen

When cabinets are too high to reach, install a library ladder that slides along a stainless steel rod.