Ask any Smoketown homeowner what bothers them most about their kitchen, and the answer is often the same: not enough storage, or storage that is awkward to reach. Deep corner cabinets swallow pots, spices hide at the back of shelves, and baking sheets end up stacked in a wobbly pile. The good news is that smart cabinet storage can change how your kitchen works without adding a single square foot. At Dick's Cabinetry & Flooring, our family-run team has been helping Franklin County households plan practical kitchens since 2013.
Specialty storage is one of the most popular upgrades in kitchen renovations right now. In this guide, we walk through the options that make the biggest difference, where each one works best, and how to plan a layout that fits the way your family cooks.
Why Specialty Storage Matters in Smoketown Kitchens
Many homes in the surrounding Franklin County communities have kitchens that were designed decades ago, with fixed shelves and deep base cabinets. Those layouts were built for a different era of cooking. Today, families own more small appliances, buy groceries in bulk and spend more time cooking at home, especially through long Pennsylvania winters.
Specialty storage helps by:
Bringing items forward so you can see and reach them easily
Making use of awkward corners and narrow gaps
Reducing bending, kneeling and digging through cabinets
Keeping counters clear for prep and family gatherings
Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers
Pull-outs are the workhorse of a well-organized kitchen. Instead of reaching into the back of a deep base cabinet, you slide the whole shelf toward you.
Roll-Out Shelves
Roll-out shelves fit inside standard base cabinets and turn hard-to-reach space into easy-access storage. They are ideal for pots, pans and small appliances.
Deep Drawers
Many homeowners now choose base cabinets with deep drawers instead of doors. Wide drawers hold heavy cookware and dishes and let you see everything at a glance from above.
Pull-Out Pantry Units
A tall, narrow pull-out pantry can fit into a gap as slim as a few inches beside the fridge or range. It is a great home for spices, oils and canned goods.
Pull-Out Trash and Recycling
Hiding bins inside a cabinet keeps the kitchen tidy and frees up floor space. A double-bin unit makes sorting recycling simple.
Lazy Susans and Corner Solutions
Corner cabinets are the most frustrating spot in many kitchens. Several solutions can make that space useful again:
Lazy Susans. Rotating shelves bring items around to the front with a simple spin. They work well in L-shaped corner base cabinets and are a budget-friendly upgrade.
Blind corner pull-outs. These units swing or slide items out of a blind corner so nothing gets lost in the back.
Corner drawers. Angled drawers make use of corner space while giving you full visibility from above.
Which one is best depends on the shape of your corner and what you plan to store there. Our team can measure your space and recommend the right fit.
Small Upgrades That Make a Big Difference
Not every improvement has to be large. These smaller features add up to a far more organized kitchen:
Tray and baking sheet dividers. Vertical slots keep cutting boards and sheet pans upright and easy to grab.
Spice pull-outs. Narrow racks next to the range keep seasonings within arm's reach.
Cutlery and utensil inserts. Drawer organizers stop utensils from becoming a jumble.
Under-sink organizers. Pull-out caddies make cleaning supplies easy to find and keep them away from plumbing.
Appliance garages. A cabinet with a lift-up or tambour door hides the toaster and coffee maker while keeping them plugged in and ready.
When you explore our kitchen cabinets, we can show you how these storage features fit into different cabinet styles, from classic Shaker doors to clean, modern slab fronts.
Planning Storage Around Pennsylvania Life
Life in Franklin County shapes how families use their kitchens. Long winters mean more home cooking, more baking and more holiday entertaining. Many households also keep extra pantry staples on hand during snowy months, when a trip into town is less appealing.
A few planning tips for local families:
Plan for bulk storage. A tall pantry cabinet with roll-out shelves is ideal if you stock up before winter.
Think about holiday cooking. Deep drawers for roasting pans and serving platters keep holiday gear organized all year.
Consider a mudroom or drop zone. Cabinetry near the back door can hold boots, coats and gear during wet spring months and snowy winters.
Allow for seasonal appliances. Slow cookers and stand mixers get heavy use in colder months, so give them an easy-access home.
How to Plan Your Cabinet Storage Layout
A good storage plan starts with how you actually use your kitchen. Before you choose features, walk through your daily routine:
Where do you unload groceries?
Where do you prep, cook and serve?
Which items do you use daily, and which only a few times a year?
Store everyday items between hip and shoulder height, heavy items in low drawers, and occasional items up high. Group items by task, such as a baking zone or a coffee station, so everything you need is in one place.
Fall is a popular time to plan this kind of project, as many homeowners want their kitchens finished before holiday gatherings. Starting the design conversation early gives you time to weigh options without rushing.
Make Every Inch of Your Smoketown Kitchen Work Harder
Pull-outs, lazy Susans, deep drawers and clever organizers can turn a cluttered kitchen into one that feels calm and easy to use. Because our team personally tests the products we carry, we can give you honest advice on what holds up to real family life.
Stop by our showroom at 1649 Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg, open weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, or call (717) 267-0333. Reach out to us to schedule a free in-home estimate and start designing storage that fits your household.
