It's been a minute since we checked in with the kitchen. We still have a LOT of finishing touches to tackle here, but I couldn't wait another day to share our appliance garage with you. This appliance garage was Stoffer Cabinetry's brain-child. There used to be a kitchen desk there so it was a very deep-set part of the kitchen. When we were designing this area--our beverage center, Stoffer came up with this idea of creating a "moving backsplash." At first glance, this looks like a typical standard-depth set of uppers with a paneled backsplash... But the backsplash glides up to reveal all of our every day appliances: toaster, blender, juicer, Ninja CREAMi, electric tea kettle!
The fact that they're plugged in, ready to be used, makes this design even more functional and genius!
A couple things!–The initial design didn't include a pull, but we felt like it makes opening and closing so much easier! The brass pull will also tie into the refrigerator drawers below it, which will be nice to see come together. Another thing--we're trying to decide whether we want the inside backsplash to be an antique mirror, or some shiny black subway tile. Jean put her stamp of approval on either!
Every time we show it on Instagram, it blows everyone's mind! Tbh, I didn't understand exactly how it was going to come together until it actually came together. Here's a look of what this kitchen corner looked like before demo!
Before
Progress
Here's how they did it!
They first built a frame above the appliance area to mount the upper cabinets to. It had to sit up high enough so that the appliance panel could glide up, in-between the frame and the cabinets.
They then installed the cabinet panels inside of the garage, as well as the vertical sliding hardware, and then attached the appliance panel to it (what you see as the backsplash).
With that in place, the upper cabinets were mounted just in front of the panel to keep it hidden when it glides up. I know its a bit tricky to understand, but hopefully the pictures help!
Appliance Garage Today!
Glasses | Vintage Glasses | Faucet | Brass Pull | Cabinet Latch
The lift that we are using, has taken some time to get used to. At first it was incredibly hard to open, and easy to close. We played with the tension a bit so that it's much easier to open, and a hard to close, but it's getting easier! The tension needs to be tight enough that when you lift the panel up, it stays put, rather than sliding back down. We think it might just need some breaking in. That was another reason why we added the heavy-duty brass pull–because it made it easier to lift! We thought about doing something motorized, but if I'm being honest I don't trust that kind of technology here!
Since we use these small appliances every day, it wasn't practical for us to keep them stored away and pull them out (and put them back away) for every use. This is less cluttered, and less work! It's like having them out on the counter every day... but hidden. And honestly, it's our most used corner of the kitchen!
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I love your appliance garage. And I want to installed in the kitchen remodel that we're about to do. We are hoping to start construction sometime in November. Can you send me information or how do we contact you
You can find more details and dimensions on the post Everything About Our Beverage Station and Hidden Appliance Garage.
I like the appliance garage. Can you provide a link for the hardware please?
This is an awesome idea. I've been brainstorming something like this for years, but this is a much better version. Do you guys have any links to the hardware you used for the door.
Can you provide a link for hardware please
Looks like https://www.salice.com/ww/en/products/lift-systems-and-flap-doors/lift-systems/mover-vertical-sliding-system-for-wall-cabinet-doors
Hi CLJ! How deep is the appliance garage itself? Thanks so much! Love this idea so much and trying to figure out how to incorporate in to our reno.
12"
This idea blew my mind!! I showed my installer to ask "HOW DO WE DO THIS" and the first thing he commented on was the shim left in your crown... MEN!
Ha! Yeah...trim is NOT finished yet hahaha.
This is GENIUS!!! It is the most gorgeous combination of form and function! Thank you for inspiring each and every day!!
This reminds me so much of the long stretch of “faux backsplash” appliance garage that was designed into the kitchen I grew up with! The panels moved up to reveal all the small appliances - from the mixer to the toaster and blender and even the slow cooker. When the panels were down it looked just like the backsplash too.
Hi! Beautiful kitchen julia! Swwwwooooon~. I’ve been toying with some kitch of kitchen appliance also but was told by my cabinet maker that using appliance inside a cabinet or under an upper cabinet can cause damage over time due to steam and heat. I’ve been advised to have a rollout for the appliance to prevent this. Have you heard about this?
I hadn't heard that, but we definitely pull them out farther when in use!
Just a safety thought - one of our friends is a fire marshal and he told us house fires can often originate with toasters and that they should never be left plugged in after use!
I ALWAYS left my toaster plugged in until he made this comment, but it was a Gretchen Rubin "lightning bolt" - moment. Literally. Since that day almost a decade ago I have never left my toaster plugged in. As soon as we're finished using it gets unplugged and stored out of sight. Just a thought...
When I was in high school a friends house burnt down from a fire caused by their toaster, they lost all their photos and heirlooms, it was a core memory for me. Now if an appliance can be left unplugged I always unplug it even 20 years later
This is pure genius! Beauty + function is always a win-win in my book! And I love the idea of the antique mirror inside too!
This is so convenient- what a great idea!
The kitchen has come together beautifully!
This is really clever and I'd love to have appliances hidden away like this. I'm curious...in day to day, how good are you at actually putting them back in the garage and closing the cover?
I'm also interested in where your microwave is...just because I know you'll have come up with something genius for hiding or blending in the microwave as well!!
So far, we’re REALLY good at closing the cover. It’s always closed when not in use probably because it’s just so easy. Everything is plugged in so open the cover, use it, close it like you would close a cabinet door you’re not using. Our microwave (speed oven) will be built into the island as soon as it arrives! This is not quite deep enough for our temporary one