Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Design

The Modern Day Appliance Garage: A Moveable Backsplash to Hide Our Small Appliances.

January 17, 2022

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 GlassesFaucet | 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!

Shop Our Fav Appliances

 

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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!

  5. This is GENIUS!!! It is the most gorgeous combination of form and function! Thank you for inspiring each and every day!!

  6. 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.

  7. 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?

  8. 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...

    1. 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

      1. We’re installing one of these and having a relay that’s only closed when the garage is open, so all the appliances will lose power when the door is closed.

        Can I ask what the material is that makes up the garage door?

  9. 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!

  10. 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!!

    1. 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

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

The Marcum family dressed as characters from the classic edition of Clue: The Game.
Entertaining

Our Halloween Family Costumes 2024: I'll Give You One Clue

It was Professor Plum, with the knife, in the Conservatory. Happy Halloween from Clue characters: 1986 edition! Shop Costume Inspiration Over the years, we've dressed as everything from dolls and monsters to Peter Pan, E.T. characters, and The Wizard of Oz. But in the last several years, one of our kids has usually chosen our costumes. If you look back, you […]
Wayfair Holiday Christmas collage round up
Decor

The Best Holiday Finds at Wayfair

This post is sponsored by Wayfair We bought this gorgeous, extremely realistic tree from Wayfair in 2019. It may be my best Christmas find ever because it has moved across the country with us, and it's the first thing we decorate every year (and that last thing we put away when the season is over). […]
product lines

Meet the New Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Pillows for Fall 2024

With the Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Rugs launch this season, we just had to add some new pillows too! For this collection, like all of our lines, we designed the pillows colorwise and pattern-wise to all work together. But there are some fun surprises too (including new floor pillows and a brand-new ruffle pillow […]
Outdoor dining table scene in front of ivy brick wall with a beautiful beige geometric outdoor rug
product lines

The Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Rugs Fall 2024 Collection

I can't believe this is our fourth year working with Loloi! For this season's rugs, we are bringing in new styles that haven’t been seen before, which is really fun. It's also exciting to be able to expand popular collections like the Jules rug, which offers beautiful vintage-style rug patterns at an affordable price. For […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES