Kitchens Got Bigger And Prettier But Lost 10 Genius Features Like Plate Racks, Butler Pantries And Appliance Lifts, And Now “We Need To Bring This Back Into Kitchen Design”

“We’ve spent years making kitchens bigger, prettier, more modern, but we’ve somehow gotten rid of all of the smartest design features along the way.” That is how designer Kristen McGowan opens her kitchen design video.

Cooking pots, kettles and a tray sit on an old-fashioned kitchen stove.

She then counts down 10 forgotten features she calls genius, the ones she says we need to bring back into kitchen design. If you are planning a renovation, they may be worth a second look.

Many of them were common in older homes, and several are quietly making a comeback. Here is her list.

1. A Wooden Plate Rack Turns Everyday Dishes Into Wall Art

Older kitchens often had beautiful wooden plate racks, so everyday dishes were within easy reach instead of hidden behind cabinet doors. McGowan says they break up a heavy wall of cabinets and give the room an airy look.

You can tuck a small rack between cabinets or hang a wall-mounted one. If you picked dishes with color and design, she says, it is a nice way to show your personal taste.

“It gives you a decorative moment to really display your dishes,” she adds, and it keeps everyday plates handy.

2. A Freestanding Worktable Can Replace A Heavy Island

Everyone loves an island, but before islands there was the freestanding kitchen worktable. McGowan says it is a great choice if you already have lots of cabinetry around the walls.

“Sometimes too much heavy cabinetry actually makes your kitchen look really small,” she says. A worktable with pretty legs, counter-height stools and a bit of storage gives a furniture-inspired look.

3. A Bread Drawer Gets Loaves Off The Countertop

Kitchens used to have storage built for specific foods. McGowan would love to see bread drawers return so loaves are no longer sitting out on the counter.

She also likes cabinet cutouts, which add a charming detail along with function.

Bread often sits on kitchen counters, and a dedicated drawer gives it a proper home.

4. Ventilated Storage For Potatoes And Onions

Potatoes and onions need air, she says, so a ventilated cabinet or drawer is essential. She calls these items “definitely lacking in kitchen design.”

Her tip is to think about the food you normally eat and design the storage around it.

5. A Pull-Out Cutting Board Hides Away Under The Cabinet

Older kitchens had under-cabinet cutting boards that slipped right in and pulled right out. That way a large board does not take up valuable space on the counter.

Some new custom cabinetry builds in a slot for the board. McGowan says she misses having a designated home for it, because a functional kitchen has “a spot for everything.”

McGowan says “I love this idea and I think it makes a kitchen so much more functional.”

6. A Slim Utility Cupboard With Outlets For Brooms And Vacuums

Older homes often had narrow cupboards for brooms and cleaning gear. She wants them back, this time with outlets inside.

A dedicated cupboard for vacuums, brooms and mops would be easy to reach, which matters since you are always cleaning the kitchen. Think about food, dish, appliance and cleaning storage when you design.

7. An Integrated Drain Board Lets Dishes Dry Right Into The Sink

Older enameled sinks had ribbed drain boards so water ran back into the basin. Now most of us dry dishes on the counter or in the sink, she says, with no designated spot.

Some modern sinks have slide-in accessories like a cutting board, strainer or drying rack. An integrated system would be more functional than buying accessories that sit on the counter.

She says these pieces make the sink “do a lot more for you than just be a sink basin.”

8. The Butler Pantry Hides Clutter And Appliances

Butler pantries are becoming more popular in new homes because, she says, “we’re all realizing that the butler pantry was genius.” You can hide as many appliances as you want and keep the main kitchen tidy.

Because it is a small space, you can have fun with color, lacquer and tile. If you are building, buying or renovating, she would put one on the list.

9. A Sink Curtain Softens A Heavy Wall Of Cabinets

This charming detail from the past is gaining popularity. A curtain under the sink adds decorative softness and makes the space look less utilitarian.

There is a catch. If you keep cleaning supplies under the sink and have pets or kids, she says, cabinet doors are the better choice.

It is also a good way to keep a busy kitchen looking clean and a little more decorative.

10. An Appliance Lift Raises Heavy Machines To Counter Height

An appliance lift raises heavy appliances from beneath the counter to working height. McGowan says she often needs help moving her mixer because it is so heavy.

When planning, she suggests asking which appliances you use most and how easy you want them to be to reach. If they are tucked away, you want to know how hard they are to get at.

How To Use These Ideas In Your Own Kitchen

You do not need to gut your home to borrow from this list. A wall-mounted plate rack, a slim cleaning cupboard or a sink with a built-in drying rack are smaller steps.

Start with the problem that bothers you most, whether it is crowded counters, a wet drying rack or a mixer that is too heavy to lift. Pick the feature that solves that problem first.

Before you buy, think about who lives in your home, what you cook, and what you reach for every day. As McGowan puts it, the goal is a kitchen that is both pretty and functional.

Willow and Hearth