Are appliance garages an easy DIY project?

While it can be doable to transform your cabinets into appliance garages, you may need to think about how skilled you are to take on such a project. Sure, any space that’s part of upper or lower cabinets, or corner and odd spaces can benefit from appliance garage design ideas, just make sure you know how to work hinges, and doors (in case you’re changing or switching to roll-up or slide-back options) and, perhaps the most important, drilling holes into existing cabinetry for cables and to fit your appliances near electrical outlets .

Can I use my appliances within these garages?

Technically, appliance garages are used to store small kitchen equipment to keep them out of sight. Though you may be able to use some of them safely, like a microwave if it’s properly enclosed or even coffeemakers, other steam or heat-producing appliances, like air fryers or toasters, could stain, burn, or leave grease or watermarks within your walls or cabinetry that may lead to irreparable damages.

14 Appliance Garage Ideas to Declutter Your Countertops

Door Design Ideas

white cabinets with coffee station — John Bessler

An appliance garage door design is critical to its functionality. If yours is located in a spot without a stretch of countertop below, such as within a wall of cabinetry, consider alternative ways to create a work surface or landing area in front. This coffee maker appliance garage door opens top-down, creating a flat surface for a cup of coffee or a warm plate from the microwave. The microwave appliance garage door lifts, which prevents the door from hitting the window or other cabinet doors.

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Allocate Storage Space

appliances stacked inside cabinet — Emily Followill

This appliance garage goes vertical by using space from the countertop to an upper row of cabinets to store the most commonly used appliances. When allocating storage space, think through other items you might need when using the appliances. For example, if the coffeemaker is used every morning, plan to store coffee beans and sugar close by.

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Microwave Garage Ideas

microwave behind door — Janet Mesic-Mackie

An appliance garage is a great way to integrate a microwave into cabinetry. Since you won't be pulling the microwave out to use it, make sure you position it in a convenient spot. It's best to find a location with a counter below so you can take hot food out of the microwave and set it down if needed. You'll also need an electrical outlet installed in the back of the cabinet.

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Coffee Station Garage

white cabinets with coffee station on shelf — Werner Straube

If a cup of joe is part of your daily morning routine, consider creating an appliance garage for your favorite brewing tools. A coffee station inside a cabinet, with a wire basket for storing coffee grounds, scoops, and other tools, is perfect for coffee lovers. The appliance garage is deep enough that there's plenty of work space in front of the coffee maker to measure coffee beans or add cream or sugar.

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Appliance Garage with Tambour Doors

coffee maker behind sliding door — Beth Singer

Roll-up doors, also known as tambour doors, are made of narrow slats that roll back into the upper area of the cabinet. The advantage of this type of door is that it takes up no counter space when open. However, these doors can sometimes be slightly tricky to work, so make sure they're installed correctly for a smooth opening and closing.

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Heat and Steam Safe

coffee maker pulled from cabinet — Ed Gohlich

Allow adequate counter space in front of an appliance garage when it will be used for heat-generating appliances, such as toasters or coffeemakers. You'll most likely want to slide these appliances forward to use them. That way, heat and steam can dissipate into the kitchen rather than into the confined space of the garage. When you're done, tuck them back into the cabinet, and they're out of sight for the rest of the day.

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Roll-Up Appliance Garage

mixer behind sliding door — Philip Harvey

A roll-up door like this can be handy when space is tight. The door moves entirely out of the way, so you can use the appliance within the garage if needed. This idea works well for bulky appliances, like stand mixers, eliminating the need to lift it out and put it away each time.

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Slide Back Doors

Incorporating appliance garages in a kitchen cabinet plan is a great way to keep these items accessible yet out of sight. When you need a small appliance, working around open cabinet doors can be a pain. We love this appliance garage cabinet door solution: The doors swing open and slide back into the cabinet, so they're out of the way. To close them back up, slide the doors out so they're fully extended, and then close them like a standard cabinet door.

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Double Appliance Garages

2 cabinets with appliances — Tria Giovan

Side-by-side appliance garages in retrofitted cabinetry give this kitchen function without visual clutter. One garage features a door that swings upward and pushes back, allowing clearance in front of and around the cabinet. An upper shelf inside holds baking sheets and muffin tins above the microwave.

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Stacked Appliance Garages

Stacking two appliance garages on top of each other is a great way to maximize storage at the end of a run of cabinetry or in a narrow stretch of wall between windows. Here, a lift-up cabinet door reveals a TV (and the door helps reduce glare). Below, a tambour-door appliance garage hides coffee supplies waiting to be used each morning.

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Corner Appliance Garage

If you don't have extra cabinet space, design an appliance garage in the corner. The solution uses some counter space but maintains the kitchen style by hiding small, clunky appliances. Consider where you want the appliance garage door to be because you'll need to keep that area accessible.

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Appliance Garage Ideas for Small Kitchens

An appliance garage can help you achieve a streamlined, clutter-free look even in a tight space, but it might require creative thinking. Traditional swinging doors on this end cabinet wouldn't have fully opened in this small kitchen. Using a hinged door that rises best utilizes the space.

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Microwave Garage Design Tips

Put your microwave inside an appliance garage to clear up your counters. Along with running electrical to the cabinet, be sure the microwave can vent properly. Locate the vents on the unit, which might be placed on the sides or top, and allow plenty of space around these areas within the cabinet.

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Multi-Tiered Appliance Garage

small appliances in cabinet — Philip Harvey

Consider dedicating an entire cabinet as an appliance garage if you have several small appliances. This kitchen utilizes four shelves of varying heights to store a stand mixer, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. Other necessities, including mugs for coffee, are housed nearby to save steps and time on busy mornings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are appliance garages an easy DIY project?

While it can be doable to transform your cabinets into appliance garages, you may need to think about how skilled you are to take on such a project. Sure, any space that’s part of upper or lower cabinets, or corner and odd spaces can benefit from appliance garage design ideas, just make sure you know how to work hinges, and doors (in case you’re changing or switching to roll-up or slide-back options) and, perhaps the most important, drilling holes into existing cabinetry for cables and to fit your appliances near electrical outlets.
Can I use my appliances within these garages?

Technically, appliance garages are used to store small kitchen equipment to keep them out of sight. Though you may be able to use some of them safely, like a microwave if it’s properly enclosed or even coffeemakers, other steam or heat-producing appliances, like air fryers or toasters, could stain, burn, or leave grease or watermarks within your walls or cabinetry that may lead to irreparable damages.