An appliance garage cabinet can be any space that tucks countertop appliances—think microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, and the like—out of sight. They often sit on countertops, as an extension of upper cabinets but can also be part of a floor-to-ceiling cabinetry installation or a pantry. Morley von Sternberg/ArcaidImage/Getty Images Calling appliance garages a trend might be generous—they’re more of a design or storage tool, like kitchen islands, whereas farmhouse kitchen décor could rightfully be called a trend. Trend or not, they’re popping up in more kitchens, with doors that are moderately more stylish than the top-down, garage-style door you may be picturing. Ben and Erin Napier, the home-updating duo behind HGTV show Home Town, say they’ve put several variations on appliance garages in the homes they remake on their show. “It’s just good design,” Ben says. He also says that, often, appliance garage cabinets are installed as a design trick to cover up a visible supporting post or other structural elements. If a post or pipe must run from floor to ceiling, a ceiling-to-countertop or floor-to-ceiling cabinet installation is a great way to cover the potentially obtrusive item while adding extra storage to the kitchen. One caveat: As with refinishing kitchen cabinets, this is a job best left to the pros. Certain projects can be completed with a little DIY know-how, but projects like this—those involving what Ben calls finished carpentry—need a little expertise. The Napiers agree. “You need the pros. It’s time to call the pros for that,” Erin says. The Napiers recommend looking into the cabinet makeover services from The Home Depot’s Home Services array of options. The home services pros can make a floor-to-ceiling cabinet installation look like it was always there and even reface all the cabinets in the kitchen, in just three to five days. If you’re already considering a kitchen update involving some cabinet work, now may be the time to consider adding an appliance garage. If you struggle to preserve counter space amid your many countertop appliances or are forced to pull that coffeemaker out of a low cabinet every time you use it—likely every day—you should especially consider adding an appliance garage to your kitchen storage arsenal. (They also make excellent hidden bars and kitchen coffee bars, if you’re so inclined.) Ben and Erin say this design and storage tool has been around for a while, but if you’re still not convinced, scroll on—these contemporary examples may change your mind.
