K-Cup Organizers
User‑centered K‑Cup storage solutions that enhance how consumers access and display their coffee pods. These solutions emerged from hands‑on user research, in which I identified key pain points related to clutter, limited counter space, inefficient retrieval, and accessibility. I explored both At‑Home and Away‑From‑Home environments, uncovering distinct behavioral patterns that informed context‑specific design requirements. My final concepts balance functionality and aesthetics, integrating modular geometry, intuitive loading, and an information screen to support clearer product interaction. Together, these elements create a storage system that is space‑efficient, visually organized, and effortless to use.
Competitive Benchmarking Research
User Reviews
“This item is cute but aggravating. Cups fall out, there is no way to really hold all 46 cups because the others push them out. They are constantly falling”
Heather B.
“Must be patient with assembly. ”Click” not heard verifying connections. Needed to walk away for several deep breaths.”
Anonymous
“Nice size for a small Keurig machine. Not too high to fit under cabinets… the storage capacity is misleading because there are 12 actual cutouts, but says it can hold 18.”
“It works, but it’s very weak, and I don’t think it’ll last long, so I have to be gentle when loading and unloading the coffee pods.
Sha_e
LG
User Research
Pain Points
Must use both hands for stability
Pods slightly overlap, so it’s difficult to place and grab
Handle is awkward
Can’t fit the pods in the last rows
Pods sit flush and slightly overlap, so it’s difficult to grab
Common Pain Points to Address:
Pod Access Challenges
Product Visibility Low Quality
Reloading Difficulty
Aesthetics
Space Constraints
INITIAL IDEATION
Opportunity Area #1: At Home
HOW MIGHT WE…
• Compress pod storage while maintaining easy access?
• Reduce visual clutter while still keeping pods accessible?
• Eliminate the need for users to dig or search through pods?
Concept 1
At-Home Modular Drawer
Problems to Address
• Poor visibility
• Limited counter space
• Poor ergonomic access
Design Goal
• A modular and aesthetically integrated storage system that improves pod visibility and ergonomics.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT #1
Angled pod placement improves ease of access while adding a dynamic visual element.
Slide off the drawer face to rotate pods in either direction.
Opportunity Area #2: Away-From-Home
HOW MIGHT WE…
• Reduce physical and cognitive effort during pod selection?
• Store a large (right) number of pods within a minimal footprint?
• Elevate pod storage to feel like a premium experience?
Concept 2
Away From Home Carousel
Problems to Address
• Many pod varieties
• Users don't know flavor details
• Difficult to browse options
Design Goal
• Create a premium pod-selection experience that combines organization, discovery, and information into a single intuitive system.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT #2
Improved
Original
Snap-to-Fit Design
Remove the screen for a baseline model
