The Old-School, Space-Saving Countertop Design That Deserves A Comeback

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Kitchens have gone through many changes over the last century. It is an area of the home where design, convenience, socializing, and technology all merge together to fit not only the lifestyle needs of a family but the decade, as well. Often as new designs come into play, older ones disappear, even when their use remains relevant. It is why you often find outdated kitchen features unexpectedly coming back in style. Extendable cutting boards are one of those features that became popular in American and European kitchens in the economic boom of the 1950s, when individuals were embracing a new way of living. Families were turning more to home baking and the kitchen was starting to become the place in the home where everyone gathers and mingles throughout the day.

It can easily be argued that extendable cutting boards deserve a place in modern kitchens, as well. In fact, if you live in an older home that hasn't been recently updated, you may have one of these handy features already tucked neatly beneath your countertop. They slide out and instantly create more work space, which can be especially convenient in smaller kitchens. While they have often been mistaken for a general use cutting board, the original purpose might surprise you. The intention was for it to act as a breadboard — a place to knead dough and slice homemade loaves. Since it sat slightly below the countertop, it provided better leverage for the work that went into making bread. But that doesn't mean that it can't be used as a traditional cutting board. It works perfectly as a place to chop fruits, vegetables, and other foods — all while maximizing your kitchen countertop space. 

Sometimes when you are stuck with an outdated kitchen, your initial instinct is to bring in more modern features, but there's a place for these extendable cutting boards. One of the reasons they went out of style in the first place was because of modern inventions like the standing mixer, which replaced the need for a designated bread board in a lot of homes. This, paired with modern design trends that leaned into clean lines and minimalistic features, made the extendable cutting board less desirable. However, with the rising need for multifunctional spaces, especially in smaller homes, there's no better time to bring back this outdated feature. It's an easy way to create additional space without undertaking a major renovation or changing the existing footprint of your kitchen. 

While it doesn't require any more maintenance than other cutting boards, an extendable cutting board still need some TLC if you want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. You should clean it regularly with mild soap and allow it to dry out completely before sliding it back into your cupboard. You can also use mineral oil to condition the wood and prevent scratching. These steps will keep you from having to replace the board too often. However, if it does become damaged, you can always order a customized replacement that will fit perfectly in your kitchen. We live in a world where multifunctionality and convenience are more important than ever. And no matter what you use your extendable cutting board for — kneading bread or chopping vegetables — this feature will inevitably make kitchen prep time much more efficient.