Any clever storage “solutions” for the cabinets to the left of the hob/sink?

[KernowCamper]

I’m keen to know if anyone has got any creative suggestions on how they utilise the very meagre and awkwardly shaped cabinets to the to the left of the hob/sink..?

Because of its position (ie behind the back passenger seats) I’m currently finding that I have to blindly reach in to try and pull out items/boxes, that nothing truly fits properly and is awkward to get in and out, that items move and rattle around whilst in transit, and things often get wedged so I have difficulty opening the sliding cabinet door. All very frustrating…

I see that 50 Nord do offer storage boxes that pretty much fully utilise the very awkwardly shaped space. Being able to pull out boxes, get what I need out of them and then slide them back in, would be a lot more convenient than what I currently have to do (ie blindly reaching in). However, the price of those boxes at €225 feels astronomically expensive to me for what they are...

Hence, I wondered what other people are doing, and/or if anyone knows who might be able to make bespoke boxes similar to those of the 50 Nord?

 

[Rosie75]

I’ve just got plastic boxes from Ikea which cost about £5 each. I’ll take a picture tomorrow. You don’t need anything fancy just something functional. It does make it easier things being in a box.

 

[Parvus]

I was also tempted with the 50 Nord boxes but just cannot justify the price. I finally decided on some felt IKEA boxes which cost approx £30 total. I measured the gaps and managed to solve it with two sizes allowing me access to the cupboards and also remove the boxes as needed.

One observation, when I originally added the boxes they didn’t slide around, but I’ve since added the Brandrup anti-slip mats inside the cupboards and now they move so I’ll be removing them now. Assume it’s the combination felt and rubber, but hey-no.

Will add some pics shortly.

 

[Parvus]

I was also tempted with the 50 Nord boxes but just cannot justify the price. I finally decided on some felt IKEA boxes which cost approx £30 total. I measured the gaps and managed to solve it with two sizes allowing me access to the cupboards and also remove the boxes as needed.

One observation, when I fittted the boxes they don’t slide around, but I’ve since added the anti-slip mats from

 

[windrift-pass]

I was also tempted with the 50 Nord boxes but just cannot justify the price. I finally decided on some felt IKEA boxes which cost approx £30 total. I measured the gaps and managed to solve it with two sizes allowing me access to the cupboards and also remove the boxes as needed.

One observation, when I fittted the boxes they don’t slide around, but I’ve since added the anti-slip mats from View attachment 147951View attachment 147950

Looks good, what were the names of the boxes you used?

 

[Chriskend]

Looks good, what were the names of the boxes you used?

I too was tempted but far too expensive, sounds like a planned trip to ikea is on the horizon.

 

[Parvus]

These from IKEA: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/komplement-box-light-grey-10404053/#content

Komplement Boxes. I used 2x Large & 4x Small - with this configuration you can still access the boxes and remove with ease. As you can see from the photo, top left does not support a box because the overhead cupboard prevents access.

 

[KernowCamper]

These from IKEA: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/komplement-box-light-grey-10404053/#content

Komplement Boxes. I used 2x Large & 4x Small - with this configuration you can still access the boxes and remove with ease. As you can see from the photo, top left does not support a box because the overhead cupboard prevents access.

Thanks for providing the pics and the info... I'm currently using something very similar - some fabric type boxes that I bought from B&M (I think). They do an ok job, but their usefulness is still a bit hamstrung by the dimensions of the cabinet.

Am I the only one finding the forward cabinet surprisingly awkward to use?

In practice the shape of the cupboard and the sliding door design make it far less practical than it could/should be IMHO...

The cabinet is awkwardly tapered, difficult to see into, and because the sliding door doesn’t fully open, access is restricted even further. I constantly have to pull out lose items to then be able to manoeuvre the boxes out. It also means that anything stored towards the back or corners is frustrating to get to, and conventional storage boxes don’t really fit the space properly. A lot of the volume ends up wasted simply because of the geometry and limited access.

I’m now looking into having some bespoke storage boxes/trays made for it, probably from HDPE plastic or similar, so the space can actually be used efficiently. I wondered if anyone has gone and got some bespoke boxes like the 50 Nord’s made, and if so, who made them and how much did it cost?

 

[KevH]

Forgive my ignorance, I am not a 'new Cali' owner, so speak from a 6.1 perspective.
In a 6.1 Ocean that cupboard acts as a wardrobe, with a fitted rail and a light that comes on when the side door (it swings out over the fridge) is opened.
I can get quite a lot in without boxes, certainly enough to meet our needs.
Does your can not have this?

 

[Wannabecamperman]

These from IKEA: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/komplement-box-light-grey-10404053/#content

Komplement Boxes. I used 2x Large & 4x Small - with this configuration you can still access the boxes and remove with ease. As you can see from the photo, top left does not support a box because the overhead cupboard prevents access.

Unless insert the right hand box then move it across, to allow another box of the same size. Just mean removing the r hand box to access the left one

 

[CaliDeventerNL]

Have to admit we went for he 50 north boxes for all cabinets. Expensive yes but we use them now for second year and we love them. They come with a sort of glide “rail” to fit . On the left cabinet down we have to slide out the right one to get the left one but it is easy. Packing the boxes is easy and no noise.

 

[CaliDeventerNL]

Sorry had to tell

Have to admit we went for he 50 north boxes for all cabinets. Expensive yes but we use them now for second year and we love them. They come with a sort of glide “rail” to fit . On the left cabinet down we have to slide out the right one to get the left one but it is easy. Packing the boxes is easy and no noise.

sorry had to tell I have a T 6.1 Ocean. Not a T 7

 

[Ian Reynolds]

Just some simple IKEA boxes and shelf and a basket

 

[Princess Doris]

We don't do anything clever. We just stuff our double sleeping bag and pillows in there.
Nothing rattles

 

[FolkeBuzz]

I’m keen to know if anyone has got any creative suggestions on how they utilise the very meagre and awkwardly shaped cabinets to the to the left of the hob/sink..?

Because of its position (ie behind the back passenger seats) I’m currently finding that I have to blindly reach in to try and pull out items/boxes, that nothing truly fits properly and is awkward to get in and out, that items move and rattle around whilst in transit, and things often get wedged so I have difficulty opening the sliding cabinet door. All very frustrating…

I see that 50 Nord do offer storage boxes that pretty much fully utilise the very awkwardly shaped space. Being able to pull out boxes, get what I need out of them and then slide them back in, would be a lot more convenient than what I currently have to do (ie blindly reaching in). However, the price of those boxes at €225 feels astronomically expensive to me for what they are...

Hence, I wondered what other people are doing, and/or if anyone knows who might be able to make bespoke boxes similar to those of the 50 Nord?

View attachment 147930

We’re back as California owners after two years trying to stay away from life on the roads and we went for the T7! Of course, all the stuff we saved from our old T6 had to be replaced including all storage solutions.

Anyway, we ordered the Felleisen felt boxes (220€ for the entire kit compared to 800€ for the 50) for the cupboards in the ocean, they fit well and use the space perfectly. Draw back, tricky to get in and out, something I believe will be easier with time as felt boxes usually gets softer.

Compared to the fancy 50 North they are a bargain and they look and work great!

God it’s good to be back…

 

[L&R.]

In the T6.1 space we use Amazon packing cubes (very cheap solution) - different colours for 'his 'n hers' for simplicity, also different sizes. We spent a month with the cabinet packed fully last summer, but were generally able to identify and take out only what we needed. as and when. We also use them in the rear space too (above the gas cylinder), and in the overhead space above the rear seat. We don't tend to bring anything that needs ironing!

 

[sticky1]

Like everyone else I have found felt crates, which work really well for us.