What Are Appliance Garages
Appliance garages are specialized cabinets designed to keep small kitchen appliances like toasters, blenders, coffee makers, and mixers hidden but easily accessible on countertops. These cabinets usually have a roll-up or sliding door that can be closed to conceal the appliances, keeping the kitchen neat and uncluttered. When you need to use an appliance, simply open the appliance garage door, use the appliance while it sits on the countertop, and then tuck it away out of sight when done.
Appliance garages help maximize counter space, reduce visual clutter, and can be a great way to maintain a streamlined look in your kitchen while keeping frequently used appliances handy. They can be built into a kitchen design to match the existing cabinetry, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic. Depending on preference, you can stack them on top of each other or align them side by side to double the effect. You can even consider hiding a small TV as an option!
Consider Different Design Ideas
The design of an appliance garage door is crucial for its functionality. These doors are an excellent way to keep appliances accessible yet out of sight. Below, we list the latest trending cabinet door options:
- Flap Cabinet Doors: These doors can flap up or down with a slight push. If you’re looking for additional counter space, flap-down doors provide an alternative way to create an extra work surface for making coffee and other tasks.
- Roll-Up Cabinet Doors: Also known as tambour doors, these are made of narrow slats that roll back into the upper area of the cabinet. The advantage of this type is that it moves entirely out of the way and takes up no counter space when open.
- Slide-Back Cabinet Doors: Similar to the above, these doors swing open and then slide back into the cabinet. To close them, slide the doors out until they’re fully extended, then close them like a standard cabinet door.
- Vertical Swing Lift Cabinet Doors: In kitchens that lack the space for traditional swinging doors, consider hinged doors that rise vertically for a streamlined effect. Choose between single hinge or bi-fold vertical lift cabinet doors.
Are Appliance Garages an Easy DIY Project?
While it is feasible to convert existing cabinets into appliance garages, doing so requires an assessment of your DIY skills. Any part of your cabinets—whether upper, lower, or awkwardly shaped corners—can be transformed using appliance garage design ideas. However, be prepared to handle tasks such as installing door hinges for standard, roll-up, or slide-back doors; drilling holes for cables; ensuring proximity to electrical outlets; running electrical wiring to the cabinet; and ensuring proper ventilation of the cabinet. For best results, consider hiring a professional. Contact JFC Remodeling to ensure the job is done right!
Can Appliances Be Used Within These Garages?
Appliance garages are designed primarily for storing small kitchen gadgets out of sight. While it’s safe to use appliances like microwaves and coffee makers within them, using heat or steam-generating devices such as air fryers and toasters requires caution. These appliances can cause stains, burns, or leave grease and watermarks, potentially leading to permanent damage to your cabinetry or walls. It’s important to allow adequate counter space in front of the appliance garage for heat-generating appliances. Sliding these appliances forward during use helps dissipate heat and steam into the kitchen rather than into the confined space of the garage, minimizing the risk of damage. After use, the appliances can be tucked back into the cabinet, keeping them out of sight.
Considering an appliance garage for your kitchen? Contact JFC Remodeling to explore ideas and receive a free estimate.
JFC Remodeling is committed to providing top-quality home reconstruction services to clients throughout Livingston County. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, our licensed contractors create unique, individualized, and polished renovations. Whether the site requires improvement, repair, or is a new construction, you can trust our experts to deliver remarkable results. Call or email us to learn more.
Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com
