Ningbo, China, a coastal city steeped in the rich history of Wu and Yue cultures, where rivers and lakes meet. Tranquil and serene, accompanied by gentle waters, if you seek a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, hesitate no more—this is the perfect destination!
This episode of COOKTIME 'Kitchen Renovation' segment takes us to a villa nestled in the 'deep mountains'—a five-story villa spanning nearly 400m². The client is a home blogger with two children.
Despite Spending Only 600K RMB on Renovation, Numerous Pitfalls Were Encountered!
In a 400m² Five-Story Mansion with Two Kitchens, Both Eastern and Western, Ample Storage Seems Assured. However, Practical Use Reveals Various Issues: Firstly, the Space is 'Too Large' yet Lacks Systematic Organization, Resulting in Ineffective Storage and Added Burdens. Secondly, the Kitchen Cabinets' Design Is Unreasonable, Lacking Segmentation, Leading to Both Space Waste and Disorderly Arrangement of Items. 
Many families encounter a common problem: beautiful tall cabinets filled with shelves, yet the design falls short, resulting in items being crammed inside, making it difficult to find or reach items buried deep within.
Designer Jiang discovered that due to an irrational layout and a lack of professional storage concepts, kitchen cabinets had become nothing more than a place for the hostess to store her handbags. The original plan for the client to entertain friends and fulfill the dream of 'singing and drinking' naturally fizzled out.
Based on the client's original habits of item placement, the storage renovation designer added customized drawers within the tall cabinets. This not only avoids wasting space but also ensures that items are easy to locate and retrieve.
The upper storage compartment houses infrequently used appliances and bottled wines, while the lower compartment is divided for storing commonly used items such as tea leaves and cups. With this drawer-style setup, everything is clear at a glance, eliminating the need to rummage around, saving time, effort, and worries.
Maximizing Small Spaces of Base Cabinets
Designer Jiang noticed that the base cabinet's water bar pull-out was a 'door-opening' style, blocking the passage when opened. Therefore, the original door-opening cabinet was changed to a double-layer drawer with continuous doors.
The client, a lifestyle blogger with a penchant for coffee, prompted the designer to create a coffee-themed magic drawer under the coffee machine, with clearer internal divisions. The upper layer holds the Moka pot and coffee cups, while the lower layer stores coffee beans and companions, making it more convenient to access.
The space beneath the sink is often overlooked by many, but when utilized effectively, even small spaces can be maximized. After measurements, the designer suggested installing two side-mounted pull-out baskets beneath the sink. This not only perfectly avoids the position of the water pipes but also increases space utilization, making it easier to retrieve items without the need to 'dig around'. Additionally, in accordance with the client's wishes, space was reserved for a garbage disposal unit.
Essential Storage Solutions for Families with Two Children
In a household with two children, snacks, baby food, and nutritional supplements are definitely not in short supply, occupying several cabinets and drawers. 
The client always felt that the home had ample space and these items wouldn't take up much room, but reality quickly proved otherwise. Due to the lack of systematic organization, each drawer was filled with snacks, leading to even more disorder the more they tried to tidy up.
The traditional design of high and deep hanging cabinets poses a significant safety hazard as items need to be reached by using a stool or climbing, especially for children.
For the safety of the client's eldest child, Jiang installed a set of elevators: lowering the storage position and making sliding effortless. Even elderly people and children can easily access items placed at higher positions, reducing the risk of falls and injuries from climbing or items falling.
As a blogger and homeowner, while we all indulge in the joy of discovering great products, there are actually people who have done the groundwork for us in advance—saving us the time of comparing prices and uncovering high-value products. The significance of custom storage services lies in: 'You serve others, and I serve only you.' With no need for hands-on involvement, it relieves you of all worries.
In the hustle and bustle of urban life, the ability to organize is especially crucial. 'Organized living liberates your hands.' Even amidst a busy work life, it's essential to break free from disorder and live the life we aspire to.
