August 24, 2025
Kitchen renovations can be exciting, but they also come with a lot of moving parts to think about. One of the biggest frustrations for homeowners around Wollongong is dealing with storage during the process. Everything gets pulled out of cupboards and drawers, and before you know it, your benchtops are piled high with containers, pans, and jars that no longer have a home. The good news is there are simple ways to make this part of a renovation smoother and a lot less stressful.
Planning your storage early often makes the whole project feel less chaotic. Smart storage solutions do more than just keep things tidy while the renovation is happening. They also help once the job is done, making your new kitchen easier to use from day one. And in places like Wollongong, where some older-style homes have poky kitchens or tricky layouts, coming up with the right storage setup is just as important as choosing the right tiles or finishes.
Before changing anything or bringing in new designs, take stock of what you've got. Many Wollongong homes have kitchens built in the 1970s or earlier, and storage in these types of layouts is often limited or awkward. You might find long, deep shelves that make it hard to see what’s at the back or corner cabinets with wasted space. Figuring out what currently works and what doesn’t is the first step to improving your setup.
Start by walking through your kitchen and making a list of:
- Which cupboards or drawers are too full
- Which areas are hard to reach or use daily
- Items that are often left out because they have nowhere to go
- Storage zones that are tidy and working well
It also helps to look at how items are grouped. If your cups are scattered across three different shelves or baking supplies are shoved in with dinner plates, that’s a sign your storage needs better structure.
Think about what kind of storage you actually need. For example, if you cook regularly and have loads of herbs and spices, the solution might be shallow pull-out racks near the cooktop. Or if you bulk buy, you’ll need deep drawers that can hold larger pantry items.
Don’t forget to check around the kitchen for underused space. Areas above the fridge, gaps beside the fridge or under the bench can often be turned into practical storage spots. You can get more space out of your current kitchen just by rethinking how each zone functions.
Once you’ve sorted out what's missing or not working well, it’s time to explore what’s possible in a new layout. Modern storage ideas are a big step up from the one-size-fits-all cupboards of the past. With smart planning, you can make the most of every centimetre, especially in tighter kitchens where space is limited.
Here are some ideas Wollongong homeowners are turning to:
1. Pull-out shelves: These make it easier to access items right at the back. They’re great for tall pantry cupboards or under the sink.
2. Vertical dividers: Ideal for chopping boards, baking trays, and wire racks. They keep things neat and safer to handle.
3. Lazy Susans for corner cabinets: Swivel trays bring the far corners of your cabinets within reach.
4. Drawer inserts: These help break up messy drawers and keep cutlery, tools or spices well sorted.
5. Overhead cupboards to the ceiling: These add more storage without taking up floor space.
Custom cabinetry is worth considering if your kitchen has tight corners or unusual shapes. It can be built to fit your home’s exact measurements, unlike off-the-shelf solutions, which often leave tricky gaps. It also gives you the flexibility to make space for what you actually use every day, whether that’s a tall blender, wine glasses, or the dog’s food containers.
Think about how your household uses the kitchen throughout the week. A single person or a couple may need different solutions compared to a busy family. Tailoring the layout to your routine makes it much easier to keep things organised and tidy.
When your kitchen is halfway through a renovation and everything's pulled apart, staying organised becomes a different kind of challenge. Finding temporary homes for your essentials can help avoid stress. There’s no single answer, but a bit of planning early on can make day-to-day life much easier while your proper kitchen is out of action.
Start by sorting kitchen items into three categories: must-haves, nice-to-haves, and things that can wait. Keep daily use items, like your coffee gear, basic utensils, and a couple of pots, separate and easy to grab. Pack everything else into boxes or containers that are well labelled and stored in a dry, clean area. A spare room is ideal but a corner in the living room or garage will also do the trick.
If indoor storage space is tight, portable shelving, plastic drawer units or foldout tables can all be useful as short-term prep areas. These setup stations are handy for food prep or just keeping your essentials in one place. If you're using temporary appliances like a bar fridge or small oven, try to keep them in one area of the house to avoid running around at mealtime.
A few tips to stay on top of things:
- Group and label your packed items clearly
- Use clear plastic tubs so it’s easy to see what’s inside
- Keep everyday cooking items in a single easy-to-reach box or caddy
- Take photos of boxed items so you don’t forget where you put things
- Mark fragile items and store them out of harm’s way
A bit of prep for the transition period can make the entire project more manageable.
New storage only works as well as the fixtures that bring it to life. Fixtures are what you use most often in your kitchen, and they’re one of the biggest factors in making the space feel finished and functional.
Modern fixture choices today include soft-close drawers, deep pot drawers, flip-up cabinet doors and hidden bins. These may seem small, but they make everyday kitchen use a whole lot easier. Soft-close hinges protect your cabinetry from slamming and general wear. Deep drawers eliminate the need to crouch down and dig through cupboards. Hidden bins help keep rubbish and smells out of view, which is a bonus in open-plan homes.
If your kitchen already mixes old and updated features, fixtures can bring everything together. You might add in spice storage drawers, pull-out trays, or drawer organisers adjustable to your changing needs.
A few more useful fixture ideas:
- Flip-up doors on wall cabinets
- Under-cabinet lighting to brighten up dark corners
- Customisable drawer dividers to change as your lifestyle changes
- Hanging rails for mugs, utensils or small containers
Fixtures don’t get as much attention early on, but they’re a big part of what makes your kitchen work smoothly every day.
Small kitchens are part of everyday life across Wollongong, especially in units and older homes. But limited space doesn’t have to be a disadvantage. With some planning and smart use of every corner, you can get a kitchen that feels spacious, works well and looks great.
Start by taking everything off your benchtop. Open shelving, magnetic knife strips or pegboards reduce clutter and keep tools within easy reach. These wall-mounted solutions are perfect for clearing space while keeping your routine simple.
Choose multi-use appliances when you can. For instance, combination ovens with built-in air fryers or microwaves can save you from needing extra appliances. Consider compact furniture too, such as small breakfast bars with drawers or foldable tables with built-in shelving.
More design tips for compact kitchens:
- Cabinets that reach the ceiling eliminate wasted space
- Glass doors or open shelving give a more open feel
- Lighter colours help bounce light around and make the room feel bigger
- Horizontal patterns in tiles or cabinetry help stretch narrow rooms visually
Even little changes like slimmer handles or push-to-open mechanisms can make things feel roomier. With good ideas and a solid layout, compact kitchens can be just as welcoming and easy to use as larger ones.
After the work is done and your kitchen is ready, the next challenge is staying on top of clutter. A well-designed kitchen needs a bit of upkeep to stay fresh and useful.
Make a habit of clearing out drawers and cupboards every few months. Toss out expired foods, give away unused items and tidy any messy areas that are starting to fall apart. A sweep-through every season can help everything stay on track.
It helps to split your kitchen into clear work zones. Keep prepping gear near your cutting area, cooking supplies near the stove and containers close to your lunch-making spot. This kind of system keeps things in the right place and saves time.
Here are a few more simple habits that make a big difference:
- Don’t buy duplicates unless you really need them
- Label containers so everyone knows what’s in them
- Use dividers, bins or shelf risers to keep things from piling up
- Pack away things you rarely use or pass them on to someone else
If your kitchen is shared, make sure your storage system works for everyone in the house. That way, it’s not just one person doing all the organising. A good kitchen layout makes it easier to stay tidy, but the right habits help keep it that way long-term.
Smart storage is about more than keeping things organised. It shapes how you move, cook and live in your kitchen every day. From practical upgrades to fresh layouts that suit the size of your home, there are plenty of ways to make the renovation process smoother.
Older kitchens around Wollongong offer a lot of character, but they often need a smart touch to make the most of their space. Whether you’re planning a full overhaul or just upgrading storage to work better for how you live, we’re here to help bring those changes to life.
If you're thinking about updating your kitchen, working with someone who understands the local area can make a big difference. For anyone planning kitchen renovations in Wollongong, Lighthouse Projects & Construction brings the insight and support needed to create a space that fits your lifestyle and the local conditions. Reach out to start planning a new kitchen that works for the way you live.
