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kittenmama

Kitchen cabinets vs. drawers

10 years ago

We are replacing our kitchen and have found that my desire for drawers instead of cabinets is driving the cost up fairly substantially (quote from a custom cabinet maker). Does anyone have advice on when/where to use cabinets vs. drawers? We have few uppers. Mostly lowers and a small pantry cabinet.

Comments (7)

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    We only have 2 deep drawers, which is enough to cover our needs. I absolutely love them for pots and large platters and bowls. Maybe consider your needs to help you decide on how many to include. Also consider if you want a large drawer for trash/recycling.

    kittenmama thanked Maureen
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Tupperware, plates, bowls, silverware for sure!

    Then extra ones on the top of base cabinets for things like ziplocks, mitts, cooking utensils, knives, spices.

    Pots if you want to splurge but at least get them on sliders in a cabinet.

    kittenmama thanked User
  • 10 years ago

    A lot of it depends on your circumstances. People with limited movement, such as the disabled or those ' aging in place' use more drawers. As in all the lowers are drawers. If you are relatively young and healthy go with enough to store some utensils, baking equipment and maybe pots and pans if you like. More than that isn't needed. If that's too expensive most stock kitchens have two to six basic drawers for such things. Hope that helps.

    kittenmama thanked User
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Not knowing your layout, it's difficult to advise. Most people want drawers near the range, for pots and pans, shallow drawers for utensils, and a separate bank of drawers for cutlery etc., If there is an island that just has storage cabinetry, add top drawers with bottom doors, that would be less expensive than more pot and pan drawers, and roll out trays can be added later on if desired. You will definitely want some top drawers in the island for knife storage if that is where you are doing prep. That would be bear minimum, particularly for re-sale, you would get negative opinions, not having enough drawers in a kitchen. Drawers are one of the very top wish list items for most people.

  • 10 years ago

    I'm in that "thinking about aging in place" group, and limited upper cabinets. I did drawers almost everywhere. In the few cabinets with a top drawer, and a door, I had slideout trays installed. I love my kitchen.

    In my last kitchen, I found myself trying to store everything I used frequently in drawers or the two cabinets with slideout trays. This time around, I made sure I could access everything quickly.

    Trays can be added later, by the way, so place the drawers where you need them now, as in suggestions above.

    kittenmama thanked drememon
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    We just finished this kitchen for a California client. We went with predominantly drawers on the bottom and cabinets on the top with pull out shelves on the uppers. So best of both worlds in this scenario.

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