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queeni1951

Cabinet Doors:Open which way?

8 years ago
I have three (3) upper kitchen cabinet doors in a row.
Which way should they open or be “paired “?
First two paired?
Last two paired?
Or maybe all three have handle on same left side?!

Comments (27)

  • 8 years ago

    What is under the 3rd one (the one all the way to the right) ?

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Both handles in the center (and hinges on opposite sides) where you have them shown (w/blue) for the two cabinets the same size.

    For the other overhead cabinet on the far right, put the hinge close to the wall on the right and the handle on the left.

    Alternately, consider leaving these shelves open, perhaps for storing your food processor or mixer.

    Alternately, consider a vertical drawer for cannisters or cans or spices. Note: If the base cabinet door beneath it is also the narrower size, consider a full length vertical drawer w/shelves.

    https://www.woodworkerexpress.com/pull-out-pantry-unit-5-6-maple-shelves-with-soft-close-slides-8-7-8-bw-19-1-2-x-74-7-8-to-81-7-8-fh-x-20-od-6-baskets-4-door-mount-brackets.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_search&utm_campaign=google_product_ads&source=googlebase&country=US&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-KiIyInG3QIV11mGCh06DwQTEAkYBiABEgKbCvD_BwE 

  • 8 years ago

    I have the exact same setup. Last two are paired. First one opens from the left.



  • 8 years ago

    Where do your dishes go when you unload the dishwasher? If in the left of the 3 cabinets, then I'd put the handle on the left and hinge on the right for all 3.

    I'd make each a single. Then your options are open. Not so with a double and a single.

    You will spend most of your time on that wall to the left of the cabinets, no matter what you are doing, so handle on the left of all of them means easier access (I assume that the rightmost cabinet is a corner and that a counter and cabinets jut out toward us under it).

    Your primary consideration is unloading the dishwasher.

  • 8 years ago

    Tatts is exactly right. 3 that open towards the dishwasher. Have the same thing in my home, and on the opposite side, have 2 that open towards the cooktop on both sides. Love it. The homes that try to pair them to the middle, are a pain to work in during the holidays! LOL

  • 8 years ago

    TIP: Make that cabinet above the frig extend out at least half way the depth of the frig, if not flush to front of the 'frig.. You will LOVE that storage depth and be able to reach it too perhaps..OR, if you need it, put a group of XXX there and store some wine bottles instead of doors.....or omit a shelf or half shelf from the wall and store the wine above the frig behind the closed doors? :)

  • 8 years ago

    Mine would be a PITA if they were not paired as those two cabs are where I keep my dishes. It's much easier to have both cabinets wide open for easy access when putting dishes away.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Option 2, or all three hinged right. You do not want that left door hanging out between you and the dishwasher!

  • 8 years ago

    It might depend on if you're right handed or left handed. IMO....I would go for what's the most popular for resale value. Ask your local real estate folks.

  • 8 years ago

    1. you can pair whichever one you want, but make the one next to it same (option 1 makes sense, option 2 is weird as heck, causing a revere-pairing effect)

    2. all three with handle on the left makes sense.


    If the right side is a wall, then you absolutely should not have the handle on the right (of course)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    With no center obstructing brace You get the more accessible space by pairing the first two.. . . . And you get the most accessible space by corner cabinetting the right two doors to be hinged in the center to open together with the second hinges(doubled for door weight) on the far right with no bracing for the entire cabinet. That's been my choice with good results. Fixed structural shelves rabbeted in. Structural back with shelves rabbeted in. Frameless works. No furniture board. . . . . . . .Yes it can be done in this modern age by a good cabinetmaker.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    "Consider their contents and how they will be accessed. Swing accordingly."

    That advice goes for dancing too.

  • 8 years ago

    More importantly, how wide are those upper doors. Ideally you don't want a single door wider than 21"

  • 8 years ago
    Suzebell,

    All three doors are the same size.
  • 8 years ago
    Chispa,

    New build and we have not moved in yet, so I do not know what will be in that cabinet. The farthest one from the sink will probably hold least used items.
  • 8 years ago
    Chispa,
    Sorry. Reread your comment. The bottom is a corner cabinet...one of those challenging revolving shelves inside!
  • 8 years ago
    Suezbell,

    Thank you for your comments. There is a row perpendicular to the cabinets so nothing can pull out.
  • 8 years ago
    Johnny,
    This would be as you suggest?
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Yes, I like it exactly like that....or you can have the very first one with the handle on the right.

    - handles all on same side maybe creates a nicer visual rhythm...and also allows you to open the left one as you're standing by the sink

    - handles paired on the first 2 will make it easier/faster for you to open both as you can use both hands

  • 8 years ago

    I'd do the one immed to the right of the sink as a single with the handle on the left and hinge on the right. That way when you're standing at the sink, it will open toward you. I'd keep glasses and mugs, every day drinkware there. Probably a bottle of vitamins or other such might live there, too. The other two should be a double, opening in the center. Then you have plenty of room for your dishes, or large mixing bowls, or baking dishes or whatever. I would absolutely not have three choppy cabinets there.

  • 8 years ago
    Johnny,

    YES! First one needs to be easy to open when standing at sink or accessing sink. Thanks!
  • 8 years ago
    crcollins1_gw,

    Agreed on one to immediate right of sink.
    I think I like the idea of pairing the next two as you suggest.

    When you sat “choppy” do you mean having handles all on left sides/hinges on right?
  • 8 years ago
    Redsilver,

    Shelves are flush with front of refrigerator!
    I’m putting doors in first section immediately above refrigerator.
    Thinking about leaving top shelf open whether for cookbooks, wine bottles or a pretty bowl.
  • 8 years ago

    Choppy meaning 3 small cabinets vs 1 small and one double that will hold larger items. The handles should go where they make sense for how the doors open. You wont even notice them after a while.


  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Shelves are flush with fridge front? An open cabinet door should extend no farther into the room than the front edge of the counter top beneath it. This helps prevent you from bashing your head on an open wall cabinet door as you straighten up from bending beneath it.

    My dishwasher is slightly more to the right than yours. My left two cabinet doors are 'paired' with pulls in the middle. The cabinet to the right has a door pull on the left.

  • 8 years ago

    A BETTER TIP: NEVER store wine above your refrigerator, unless you're trying to make vinegar! Too hot for wine. Even reds should never be stored above a very cool (European) room temp of 65 degrees!