The kitchen of Matthew and Camila McConaughey is a masterclass in design, featuring elements like raw, unpainted wood and 'floating' open shelves that stylishly display their cookware. A third, equally inspiring feature has now been revealed: their tall vertical cabinets that seem to stretch all the way to the ceiling, a clever strategy to 'increase storage without taking up valuable floor area'.
Though their home is spacious, Matthew and Camila McConaughey's vertical kitchen storage technique utilizes 'dead' space that would otherwise go unused.
It proves that the prospect of extra storage is always welcome, especially as we head into the holiday season and look for places to stash seasonal baking equipment or large entertaining platters. This technique is particularly beneficial in small kitchens.
Brett Sugerman, a principal at B+G Design, emphasizes this approach. 'When envisioning our client's kitchens, we always take advantage of the vertical height available, especially since it is a way to increase storage without taking up valuable floor area,' he comments.
Beyond the cabinets, you can incorporate wooden accents similar to those in the McConaugheys' kitchen with these curated accessories below.
Shop the wooden kitchen edit
When bringing a new texture or material into the kitchen, I like to start with the basics. Slate and pepper mills provide an easy, affordable way to introduce an extra wood tone. I’m particularly drawn to this set from Wayfair, which combines functionality with understated style.
The best kitchen accessories marry beauty and function. This acacia wood piece, with its rich grain and sleek, sculptural shape, is perfect for daily use, entertaining, or simply making a statement on open shelves.
Highlight both style and practicality with this elegant serving board. Crafted from natural wood and finished with softly scalloped edges, it’s perfect for serving appetizers or charcuterie, or simply elevating the look of your counters.
Since there is no one-size-fits-all solution for kitchen storage, it's always wise to build as high as your space allows. This is true whether you're trying to hide everyday essentials or, via a glass front, showcase some of your favorite possessions, like chunky winter mugs or festive glassware (like these beautiful glasses from Wayfair).
Sugerman explains: 'In order to maximize space, specifically when designing the interiors of apartments, we consider what storage is needed. Tall cabinets with two or three shelving levels allow you to store larger kitchen appliances and seasonal objects. This makes use of vertical space that is typically underutilized,' he comments.
'By extending upwards, these cabinets provide significantly more storage space compared to standard, shorter cabinets. Tall cabinets can also feature statement moments like glass paneling for displays or open-to-reveal coffee pantries. Every inch of real estate is valuable in the kitchen – especially for those who love to cook or entertain.'
Courtney Cole, an interior designer at Yabby, agrees, noting that creativity is key to increasing a kitchen's functionality.
'One way you can do this is with vertical cabinetry that is taller than they are wide. This makes them a great way to draw the eye upward because of their up-and-down pattern,' she comments. This technique is visible behind McConaughey, as the cabinets draw the eye to the ceiling while their contents remain hidden.
'If you don’t know what to do with the ‘dead’ space in your kitchen, tall and vertical cabinets will effectively use up your dead space, giving you floor-to-ceiling storage space,' Cole adds.
'This is a great way to store the items in your kitchen that you don’t use often by putting them on higher shelves that keep them out of sight and out of mind.'
