Turning an Awkward Kitchen Wall Into a Storage-Packed Workspace

Reclaim wasted, awkward spaces in your home, starting with your kitchen. This tiny spot was nothing but empty wall space, but now it's a full-fledged workstation for the entire family.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Photo By: Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

Reclaim Wasted Space

Ever since this midcentury modern home was built in the '60s, a small corner between the kitchen and the outdoor deck and patio was considered dead space. With some clever cabinet placement and a colorful wall update, it's now a full-fledged workstation complete with tons of concealed storage.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Proper Cabinet Height

If you're looking to create a workstation in your own home, it's important to know that proper desk height is 28 to 30 inches. If you're using cabinets as the base of your work area, make sure to account for the height of any countertop surfaces in addition to the overall height of the cabinets themselves.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Proper Upper Cabinet Spacing

Anytime you're installing upper cabinets above lower cabinets, leave at least 18 inches of space to allow for a hard-working backsplash area. If you hang them any lower, especially in a spot used as a workstation, you'll likely hit your head each time you get up from your chair.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Concealed Storage

When space is at a premium and you need access to supplies that create clutter, keep it all concealed behind cabinet doors. Here, a child's art station is equipped with plenty of storage solutions. When the space is not in use, everything remains tucked away and hidden from view.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Chic Baskets

A great combination for keeping art supplies stored neatly with easy access is a combination of industrial wire baskets and plenty of small containers. Papers and pads can be tossed into the baskets while pens, pencils and paintbrushes fit perfectly into round containers.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Practical Lighting

If you're out of surface space for a table lamp, add a practical work light above with industrial, modern track lighting. These systems require pretty involved DIY skills, so it's often a better and safer choice to hire a licensed and certified electrician to handle the installation.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets

Although this space is only seven feet wide, it has soaring ceilings that reach 12 feet at their peak. To put all of this vertical space to good use, the walls were outfitted with upper and lower cabinets and a random stripe using four different paint colors.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Practical Styling

It's important to make a workstation feel personal and lived-in so you'll be drawn to the space when it's time to tackle business. Keep the overall look simple using stacks of books as risers to display items like fresh flowers, then layer in framed photos and vintage decor.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Graphic Walls

Want the look of wallpaper without the expense and time? Get a similar look with random vertical stripes. Simply add painter's tape from floor to ceiling, alternating the widths, then choose four to five shades of similar colors and start painting.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fresh Greenery

A little greenery goes a long way in adding freshness and organic texture and color. Here, a potted blue fern sits inside of a charming ceramic conch planter.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Walnut Countertops

Let your workstation serve double duty as a prep station for meals with a hard-working butcher block countertop. For a higher-end appeal, choose darker wood options like walnut which can add a touch of midcentury charm and more exotic appeal.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Proper Lower Cabinet Spacing

A great way to use ready-made cabinets in a custom way is to configure them unexpectedly. Because of the shallow depth (20 inches) of this pass-through area, there was no way to account for 24-inch base cabinets. Instead, upper cabinets were used along the bottom along with a 30-inch gap between them to allow for proper chair placement.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Hardware Update

Add unique personality to your cabinets with simple hardware in unexpected finishes. This midcentury modern house calls for polished chrome. But for a fresh take on silver hardware, matte nickel was used. It's a bit softer and a little more up to date.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Coordinated Storage

Tie in the interior of the cabinets with the overall color scheme of the surrounding space with coordinated containers and accessories. Here, the aqua tones seen in the wall stripes are accented by accessories and storage solutions inside of the lower cabinets.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Form + Function

When choosing the best chair for a workstation, think of what will fit both aesthetically and ergonomically. Molded plastic chairs are often a great choice because of the slight contour of their backs and for their sturdy construction. To save space, it's great to have a low-slung chair that will also completely tuck out of the way when not in use.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Sick of your old, dated carpet or linoleum? Get the look of wood floors, but with even more durability and less maintenance, with vinyl plank flooring. This is an excellent option for homeowners with basic DIY skills since all you'll need is a utility knife.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Turning an Awkward Kitchen Wall Into a Storage-Packed Workspace

Related To:

Shop This Look

Reclaim Wasted Space

Proper Cabinet Height

Proper Upper Cabinet Spacing

Concealed Storage

Chic Baskets

Practical Lighting

Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets

Practical Styling

Graphic Walls

Fresh Greenery

Walnut Countertops

Proper Lower Cabinet Spacing

Hardware Update

Coordinated Storage

Form + Function

Vinyl Plank Flooring

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