Having the right serveware storage is key to keeping your kitchen organized and making meal prep a breeze. With so many options available, it can be tricky to figure out what will work best for your space and lifestyle. This guide covers the different types of serveware storage and key factors to consider so you can find pieces that will serve you well for years to come.
Types of Serveware Storage
Drawers
Drawers are a classic choice for storing serveware. Built-in drawers maximize kitchen storage space. High-quality drawer organizers allow you to neatly arrange plates, bowls, platters, and more. Consider:
- Deep drawers – These accommodate bulky serveware pieces like large platters or bowls. Full-extension drawer slides provide easy access.
- Shallow drawers – Best for flatter items like dinner plates, saucers, and shallow bowls. Stack them vertically for compact storage.
- Cutlery drawers – Designed to organize cutlery and utensil sets. Use compartments or inserts to keep items from sliding around.
- Spice drawers – Contain built-in compartments for neatly arranging spices and seasoning packets. Some have tiered levels to maximize space.
- Utility drawers – Larger, deeper drawers to hold items like serving utensils, linens, or baking pans. Useful near the prep area.
Shelving
Open shelving provides easy access and visibility. It works well for decorative serveware or bulky items difficult to store in drawers. Consider:
- Wall shelves – Floating shelves keep serveware visible and within reach. Stagger stacked items for safety.
- Glass-door cabinets – Enclosed cabinets with glass doors protect fine china from dust while showing it off.
- Plate racks – Vertical racks store stacks of plates on their sides. Choose adjustable racks to fit different plate sizes.
- Wine glass racks – Racks with slots securely store stemmed glassware. Mount them inside a cabinet to avoid dust buildup.
- Pantry pull-outs – Pull-out trays and baskets provide organized space for pantry serveware items. Labels help identify contents.
Freestanding Pieces
Freestanding storage provides convenient, flexible serveware organization. Solutions include:
- Kitchen carts – Carts with shelves, drawers and hooks organize while providing extra prep space. They can easily be moved as needed.
- Baker’s racks – Racks with shelving allow vertical storage for baking sheets, cooling racks, and more. Pick ones with adjustable shelves.
- Microwave stands – Stands with storage space for platters, cutting boards, or cookbooks maximize functionality. Choose the right height for your space.
- Island hutches – Hutches situated on kitchen islands utilize the narrow space for storing serveware and dinnerware. Some feature wine racks.
- Pots and pan racks – Wall-mounted racks with hooks safely store pots, pans, lids, and baking sheets while keeping them visible.
Key Factors to Consider
Usage Frequency
Think about how often you use certain serveware when deciding on storage locations. Frequently used items should be most accessible, while rarely used pieces can have more distant storage.
For example, store everyday dinner plates in a kitchen drawer near the dining table for easy access. Reserve delicate china or special occasion serveware on a high shelf or in the back of a cabinet.
Serveware Materials
Match storage solutions to the specific needs of different serveware materials. Delicate items like glassware require enclosed cabinets or shelves with lips to prevent chipping. Mount racks securely to walls to avoid accidents.
Meanwhile, sturdy stainless steel or ceramic pieces can be stored in open racks or shelves. Just ensure heavy platters are easy to lift down, and plates are stacked safely.
Pro tip: Line shelves and drawers with non-slip liners or pads to keep serveware from shifting around and scratching.
Kitchen Layout
Take stock of your current kitchen layout and identify potential “dead space” that could be utilized for storage. Inside cabinet doors, on the backs of islands or peninsulas, and high wall space often offer possibilities for mounting racks or shelves.
Also look for opportunities to group Storage by usage zone. Keep serveware for meal prep and cooking near the cooktop. Situate everyday dinnerware near the dining area for quick setting.
Maximize vertical storage space with tall hutches, shelving units, or floor-to-ceiling pantry systems. Just be sure to use sturdy brackets and make items reachable.
Expansion Capabilities
When evaluating options, think about how well the system can grow and adapt as your needs change. Modular shelving units with adjustable shelves easily expand. Drawer organizers can be reconfigured to accommodate new pieces.
Storage with open backs or removable panels allows easy editing down the road. Also favor timeless designs in neutral tones over trendy looks—they’ll coordinate with evolving kitchen styles.
Display vs Concealed
Both displayed and concealed storage have pros and cons. Open shelving provides decorative display space for beautiful serveware. However, visible clutter can feel chaotic. Enclosed cabinets hide away mess but make it easy to forget what’s inside.
Look for ways to combine the options. For example, use glass-door wall cabinets to show off serveware while concealing contents behind doors. Or fill a hutch with frequently used items, and hide more delicate or infrequent pieces in lower cabinets.
Serveware Storage Ideas by Item Type
Approaching storage by serveware category helps ensure all pieces have a proper home. See specific recommendations below for common serveware types.
Dinnerware
Dinnerware includes plates, bowls, saucers, and serving pieces for regular meals. Everyday options are often porcelain, stoneware or melamine. More delicate china is reserved for special occasions.
- Store plates vertically in a shallow drawer, plate rack or shelf with lips. Stack no more than four high.
- situate bowls and saucers in deeper drawers with dividers. Line the bottom with non-slip liner.
- Display decorative china pieces on nesting cake stands or three-tiered servers on open shelving.
- Use slotted racks or peg racks mounted inside a cabinet to neatly store lids.
Drinkware
Drinkware encompasses glassware, mugs, tumblers, water bottles and more. Tailor storage to these breakable items.
- Wine glass racks and hanging stems keep wine glasses protected and accessible.
- Store mugs on mugs trees, peg racks or wire shelves. Line cabinets with non-slip rug pad.
- Display delicate glassware and barware inside glass-door cabinets or on open shelves with lips.
- Use over-cabinet racks, wall-mounted rails or freestanding bars for hanging water bottles.
Bakeware
Bakeware includes baking sheets, cake pans, muffin tins, cooling racks and more. Look for storage that fits their large, bulky shapes.
- Store pans and baking sheets on their sides in a deep drawer or pull-out cabinet rack.
- Use wall-mounted pot racks or baker’s racks to vertically store bulky items.
- Situate cooling racks on deep pantry shelves. Opt for chrome-plated steel racks that resist rust.
- Designate a drawer for nested mixing bowls. Use dividers to prevent tipping and scratching.
Serveware
Serveware includes platters, trays, trivets, and serving utensils like tongs and spatulas. Locate these meal prep tools in the cook zone.
- Hang utensils from hooks on walls, racks or cabinet doors for quick access while cooking.
- Store cutting boards vertically in a countertop rack or special vertical holder inside a cabinet.
- Use drawer organizers to neatly arrange trays and platters. Line them with non-slip mats.
- Situate trivets in a drawer near the stovetop, or hang them from wall hooks or rails.
Pantry Staples
The pantry holds non-perishable serveware like plastic containers, disposable platters, foil pans, and food storage bags.
- Use shelf risers, lazy susans or deep pull-out trays to organize items in cabinets or on shelves.
- Categorize like items together – group all disposable platters on one shelf, foil pans on another.
- Transfer flimsy plastic bags into hard containers to help them keep their shape and prevent rips.
- Label shelving and bins so family members can easily put items away in their homes.
Top Serveware Storage Solutions
Here are some of the best storage solutions for neatly organizing all types of serveware:
Drawers
- Rev-A-Shelf Drawer Organizers – Durable polymer bins customize drawers. Remove dividers anytime to reconfigure.
- Utensil Organizers – Bamboo trays have compartments sized for cutlery, spatulas, tongs and more. Felt bottoms prevent sliding.
- Ikea Besta Drawers – Affordable drawers come in multiple sizes. Combine different widths and depths for custom storage.
- Pull-Out Cabinet Shelves – Mounted on smooth ball bearing slides, these provide easy access to shelf contents.
Wall Racks
- Wall Control Metal Pegboard – The versatile steel pegboard allows you to hang racks, shelves, baskets and more using the adjustable hooks.
- Floating Wall Shelves – sleek brackets support shelves in various wood finishes. Stagger plates and bowls for optimal use of vertical space.
- Simplehuman Wall-Mount Grocery Bag Dispenser – The steel dispenser neatly stores and dispenses food storage bags when you need them.
Freestanding Storage
- Ikea Stainless Steel Baker’s Rack – This commercial-style rack has adjustable shelves ideal for large bakeware and kitchen tools.
- Origami Foldable Kitchen Cart – Made of steel and wood, this handy cart folds up slim for storage. Includes shelves, hooks, and more.
- Prepdeck Kitchen Tool Organizer – The tiered stand stores prep tools upright for easy access. Its compact footprint saves counter space.
- Madesmart 2-Tier Turntable – Spinning lazy susans provide easy access to pantry items. Available in 6” and 11″ diameters.
Serveware Storage Tips
Implement these tips for optimized serveware organization that makes cooking and meal prep a breeze:
- Group items by function – keep dinnerware together near the dining area, baking tools by the oven, etc.
- Use drawer dividers and shelf risers to prevent items from sliding around. Protect delicate serveware with liners.
- Clearly label storage to help family members put things away properly.
- Situate frequently used items in the most accessible spots for efficiency.
- Display beautiful serveware to add visual interest to the kitchen. Glass-door cabinets keep dust at bay.
- Take stock before shopping to avoid duplicate items. Look for stackable or nesting pieces to maximize space.
- Evaluate storage layout annually and edit as needed. Donate unused serveware to free up room for new additions.
- Clean serveware before storing to prevent dust and grime buildup. Use drawer liners to absorb moisture and prevent mold.
Serveware Storage FAQ
Get answers to common serveware storage questions:
How do I organize my serveware cabinets?
Use drawer organizers and shelf dividers to neatly separate and contain pieces. Group like items together – have one shelf for drinkware, another for plates, etc. Situate the most-used pieces in the front for easy access.
Where should I keep my stainless steel pots and pans?
Mounted pot racks or open shelving provides handy access to pots and pans while showing off their shiny finish. Store lids separately in a slotted rack or pegboard inside a cabinet.
How should I arrange my everyday dinnerware?
Stack plates vertically no more than four high in a shallow drawer, ideally lined with a non-slip mat. situate bowls, saucers, and small plates in deeper drawers, using dividers to prevent tipping and sliding.
What’s the best way to store awkwardly shaped bakeware?
Vertical storage is great for bulky or oddly shaped baking pans, sheets, and cooling racks. Use wall-mounted racks or baker’s racks with adjustable shelves. Store nested bowls in a deep drawer.
How do I store my glassware to prevent breaks and chips?
Use wine glass racks, stemmed glass holders, or hanging racks to keep glassware secure. Line cabinet shelves with non-slip liners. store pieces towards cabinet backs, with lips on shelves to prevent sliding. Enclose delicate glassware behind glass doors.
Conclusion
With so many serveware storage options, it’s easy to find solutions that keep your kitchen items organized while fitting your space and lifestyle beautifully. Focus on your usage and access needs, safe storage for delicate materials, and ways to optimize your current layout.
Invest in high-quality, adjustable storage solutions designed to stand the test of time. And remember to edit your storage regularly as needs evolve. Follow these serveware storage tips, and you’ll gain efficient access to the right dish or prep tool anytime you need it.
