What Is Compact Space Cabinetry?
Compact space cabinetry is storage built into the parts of a home that standard cabinets cannot use: a 12-inch-deep entry wall, the void above a hallway bulkhead, the corner of an L-shaped kitchen, the gap beside a fridge. It is a separate service from our condo kitchen renovations, because many suites need storage more than they need a new kitchen.
Most of this work is in downtown towers around CityPlace, Fort York and Regent Park, and in narrow Victorian houses in Little Portugal and Leslieville where hallways are tight and every alcove counts.
Types of Compact Storage
Entry walls
A shallow run of cabinets with shoe pull-outs, a bench niche and coat storage. Built 10 to 15 inches deep so the hallway stays usable.
Bathroom towers
Linen towers beside the vanity, 12 to 15 inches deep, with push-to-open doors.
Bulkhead and soffit cabinets
Lift-up cabinets built into bulkhead voids above hallways and kitchens. Good for suitcases and seasonal items.
Blind-corner fixes
LeMans and Magic Corner pull-outs retrofitted into existing corner cabinets, or built into new ones.
Alcove nooks
Desk nooks, reading nooks and display shelving in alcoves. For full wall systems, see condo wall units.
Compact Cabinetry Pricing
| Scope | Size | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow entry wall with bench niche | 6 lf | $2,400-$3,600 |
| Bathroom linen tower | 12-15 in deep | $1,200-$2,200 |
| Bulkhead or alcove storage | 5 lf | $1,750-$3,000 |
| Blind-corner retrofit with pull-out | Per corner | $450-$850 |
Depth is the design decision
In a small space, the right depth matters more than the door style. We measure the walkway you need first, then build the deepest box that leaves it clear.
Common Small-Space Problems We Solve
No front closet
Fixed with a shallow entry wall and shoe pull-outs.
Dead blind corners
Fixed with LeMans or Magic Corner pull-outs.
Wasted bulkheads
Fixed with lift-up cabinets on Hafele fittings.
Handles catching in tight spaces
Fixed with push-to-open Blum Tip-On. For condo reach-in closets, see condo closet systems.
Finding Hidden Storage in a Small Space
Walk through your home and look for five kinds of wasted space. Shallow walls in hallways and entries, where a 10 to 15 inch deep cabinet fits without blocking the path. Bulkheads and soffits over hallways and kitchens, often hollow and perfect for lift-up cabinets. Dead corners in L-shaped kitchens. Gaps beside the fridge, the stove or the end of a run, where a 6 to 9 inch pull-out pantry fits. Alcoves beside windows and columns, where a desk or shelving nook can live.
Most small suites have at least three of these. A single compact storage package can add the equivalent of a closet without changing a single wall.
Design Rules for Small Spaces
Depth first
Choose the deepest box that still leaves the walkway clear. In a 40-inch hallway, a 12-inch cabinet leaves 28 inches, which is comfortable for one person.
Handleless fronts
Push-to-open Blum Tip-On keeps narrow spaces free of pulls that catch on bags and hips.
Light colours and matching fronts
In small rooms, fronts that match the wall colour or a pale wood visually recede.
Full height
Taking storage to the ceiling adds space without adding footprint. Lift-up doors keep high cabinets usable.
Caring for Compact Cabinetry
Tip-On mechanisms need no maintenance; if a door stops springing open, a small adjustment resets it. Pull-out pantries run on soft-close runners that carry full loads of cans and jars. Clean fronts with a damp cloth.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- How shallow can you build a cabinet, and how will it be anchored?
- Can you add a corner pull-out to my existing cabinets?
- Will the pieces fit my building's elevator?
- Can you install in a single day?
- What warranty covers the work?
Compact Storage Across the GTA
We build compact storage for condo suites in CityPlace, Fort York and Regent Park, narrow Victorian houses in Little Portugal and Leslieville, and small homes and townhouses across the GTA. For full kitchens in small suites, see our condo kitchen renovation page. Every compact piece is built in the same shop as our custom kitchen cabinetry in Toronto.
