Photography: Martina Gemmola / Interior design & styling: Amy Spargo, Maine House Interiors
Creating the right kitchen joinery for your household involves a series of big decisions. What style suits your home? What kitchen cabinet door profiles and handles do you like? Should the storage consist of base cabinets, with open shelves positioned above, or floor-to-ceiling cabinets? And that’s all before you consider how to renovate a kitchen within a tight budget.
The choices are seemingly endless. No matter what kitchen cabinet design you choose, there’s one special cupboard that every kitchen needs. It’s the secret defense against clutter and mess, ensuring clear countertops and extra bench space. Allow us to introduce you to the game-changing, everyday hero of your kitchen: the appliance cupboard.
“When expertly designed, an appliance cupboard is more than just a storage solution, it becomes an extension of the kitchen’s ergonomic functionality and style”
Kate Walker, interior designer
What is an appliance cupboard?
Sitting midway between a butler’s pantry and your humble kitchen cabinetry, appliance cupboards are quiet achievers. These hardworking helpers minimise clutter, maximise benchtop space and enhance the flow and function of your kitchen, especially during meal prep or family peak-hour rush times before and after school or work.
Appliance cupboards suit every style and size of kitchen, so if you’re dreaming of a butler’s pantry but struggling to squeeze one in, an appliance cupboard could come to the rescue. At the least, shelving and bench space is all that’s required. However, a few extras can elevate even a small appliance cupboard into more than just storage – think hidden hydration stations, coffee corners or even a secret snack bar.
What should I store in an appliance cupboard?
How you use an appliance cupboard influences its design. For brekkie-loving families, this kitchen cabinet is best used to house bulky appliances, such as toasters, coffee machines and maybe even a waffle maker. Avid bakers might prefer to keep stand mixers concealed in these spaces, while entertainers might opt for a beverage bar, complete with a tap and drain.
“Make a clear decision from the start if this is a function-only space, or if it will be open as often as it is closed, as this will dictate the internal materials,” says interior designer Claudia Lambert. “Use a statement stone inside if it is often on display, and always imitate the exposed joinery on the inside.” Claudia lists sensor lighting and power points as other must-haves.
What type of cabinet doors work best?
When it comes to kitchen cabinet doors, there are a few popular options. Bi-fold doors are firm favourites for hiding the inner workings of appliance cupboards, and for great reason. The reduced radius of the door swing takes up half the room of regular cupboard doors, making bi-folds a boon for small spaces. “Pocket doors are ideal as they don’t impede the function of the kitchen,” adds Claudia. “Always make sure your joinery handles or knobs will work with your door system.” Tambour doors, which slide open vertically or horizontally, are another handy option for tight spots.
Popular kitchen cabinet layouts
As appliance cupboards house benchtop accoutrements, if you intend to use this equipment where it is stored, the location of your cupboard needs to support the flow of your kitchen. Position yours near, but not within, your main food prep area and aim for a 600-millimetre depth.
How to properly ventilate a kitchen cabinet
Coffee machines, electric kettles and even toasters can compromise the interior of your appliance cupboard with heat and steam, so do add ventilation and avoid laminate and timber veneer. “Materials that work the best are those that are not susceptible to damage from heat and moisture – natural stone, porcelain, stainless steel, melamine, solid wood and polyurethane,” explains Lynne Bradley of Lynne Bradley Interiors.
Interior designer Kate Walker shares her must-haves for this kitchen cabinet.
Six features to include when designing an appliance cupboard
- Sensor-activated lighting to illuminate cupboard contents.
- Multiple power points in your shelving and drawers, so appliances are ready to use.
- Pull-out shelving and deep drawers, ideal for heavier appliances like stand mixers.
- Doors with built-in shelving and soft-close mechanisms, or pocket doors for efficiency.
- A concealed bin drawer to ensure easy clean-ups.
- Premium internal finishes for a sophisticated design.
Shop popular kitchen appliances
01
KitchenAid ‘Artisan’ stand mixer in Milkshake
$529, Myer
On sale until the 31st of July, 2025, this KitchenAid stand mixer can be used for so many delicious treats, from baked goods to bread and even mashed potatoes. It comes with a 4.8L stainless steel bowl, whisk, dough hook amd flat beater. With all the bells and whistles and five year warranty, this is an unbeatable stand mixer. If you’re looking to store it in your kitchen cabinet or appliance cupboard, the dimensions are 27.4cm (L) x 40.9cm (W) x 40.9cm (H).
02
Smeg 50’s retro-style slice toaster in Pastel Blue
$239.95 (was $299), Kitchen Warehouse
Available in nine colours, the retro-style Smeg toaster is certainly pretty enough to keep out on your benchtop. But if you have room in your appliance cupboard to store a toaster, why not free up some benchspace? With six toasting levels, reheating, defrosting and bagel functions, this toaster has all the essentials covered. Match with a Smeg kettle to complete the look (and create the perfect brekkie corner in your appliance cupboard).
03
Sharp 31L 1000w microwave in Black
$179, The Good Guys
Microwaves can take up a lot of space which is why storing them in an appliance cupboard is such a wonderful idea. It means this appliance is still easy to access in your kitchen cabinet but it’s not cluttering your benchtop. This microwave has 11 adjustable power levels, to help you enjoy everything from a quick snack to a full meal at the perfect temperature for you. There are convenient weight and time defrost options, 8 auto menus and a dedicated reheat function.
04
Breville ‘The Oracle Jet’ coffee machine
$3899, Myer
This machine takes the hard work out of making coffee. It grinds the beans per cup, doses the grind, and then tamps it. Using an easy touch screen (complete with pictures), you can customise how you like your coffee and then save the setting under your name, so you’ll never get a loved ones order wrong again. This newest model has a heating sensor in the actual milk jet, so you can do more coffee making and less thinking early in the morning.
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