Stephen and Ayesha Curry's streamlined vertical cabinets make use of 'dead' space in their kitchen – experts say their storage works twice as hard

As a successful restaurateur, it's only natural that Ayesha Curry's personal kitchen should be as delightful as the dishes she cooks up. Her minimalist space is ultra-modern yet still feels warm and inviting, and it ranks highly when it comes to practicality, too.

Kitchens are increasingly versatile spaces. Besides their primary purpose, they play host to a variety of events – from family mealtimes to more sophisticated soirees – so functional storage is a must. Nobody wants to be greeted by cluttered countertops or towers of tins collecting dust atop your cabinets; if you want your kitchen to impress, a streamlined space is a must.

Luckily for you, it's something Curry knows how to execute all too well. In her wood-clad kitchen storage idea, she makes use of the awkward 'dead' space that often lurks above vertical cabinets by stretching hers right to the ceiling. The result is a sleek, nearly invisible effect that makes for a streamlined space with storage that works double as hard.

For too many years, the standard for upper kitchen cabinets was a fixture that left space along the top. In theory, they offered an extra surface to store lesser-used items. In reality, however, they became neglected spaces that do little more than collect dust.

Nowadays, you'll notice a theme across all streamlined modern kitchens. Instead of leaving space above kitchen cabinets the units stretch right to the ceiling, maximizing storage space while also offering a much cleaner aesthetic.

That's exactly what Ayesha opted for in her calming wooden kitchen cabinets. Her built-in slab doors wrap all the way around her walls and right up to the ceiling, creating an almost invisible effect by blending with the ceiling's millwork while also finding a far better use for that dreaded dead space.

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'This style of cabinetry is one of the greatest to use when wanting to give the illusion of tall ceilings or hidden cabinetry,' explains interior designer Beth McMillan. 'With a flat front modern face, it elongates the space without a horizontal line from where a “normal cabinet” would break in height. This face style is used to bring a sleek contemporary edge to the look and becomes a wall, in theory, not a cabinet.'

Besides the illusion of height, McMillan highlights how this style of vertical storage capitalizes on every inch of space for added practicality and function. And for chefs like Curry, that means more hidden space to organize your collection of kitchenware. 'It’s a brilliant way to have the highest of functionality with a very sleek and modern surrounding,' she says.

One thing she does point out, however, is that choosing to incorporate a crown or molding will completely change the look of the room. 'If you leave it crown-less, as Ayesha did in her home, and just take the flat fronts to the ceiling, it will create a modern gallery-like aesthetic and surround,' McMillan explains. 'If you leave just a few inches of wood above the cabinets to be able to clear when opened and then add a decorative crown or molding, the room will become more formal or traditional in style.'

If you're still wondering if kitchen cabinets should go all the way to the ceiling, Curry's kitchen makes a great case in favor. For a cleaner and more streamlined kitchen that maximizes storage, these tall vertical cabinets are a no-brainer.