Kitchen drawer usable depth

11 hours ago

I'm getting ready to order my new kitchen finally.. I just found out that the drawers only have a usable depth of 2 1/2 in for the smaller ones and 5 1/4 inches for the bigger ones..
I am used to deeper drawers in that and I'm afraid that they aren't tall enough for all my Tupperware and my silverware and my pots and pans I'm getting 3 drawer bases. One is 18 in with three drawers small one at the top and two bigger ones. one is 18 in with four drawers big one at the bottom and one is 36 in with a small one at the top and two big ones.
My silverware is tumbling from my silverware holder is now and mine is four and a half inches tall I am buying these from cabinets.com and they are the smallest ones that I have found so far.. nothing like finding this out at the last minute before I'm ready to order.. anyone have any experience with the small of drawers.. I have four and a half inch and 7 in usable now.. but I have a very old kitchen and it needs updated.. any help is greatly appreciated..
What I really don't understand is a three drawer cabinet is a three-drawer cabinet so what do they have to lose to make the cabinet sides and back taller? A couple dollars? Isn't the hole for the drawer pretty much the same size?

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Jill Seidner Interior Design
11 hours ago
The usable depth number is about the drawer box height, not the opening, and it varies a lot by cabinet line. A few thoughts from planning kitchens:

For silverware, a 2 1/2 in usable top drawer works fine with a low-profile organizer - most standard inserts run about 2 in tall. Your 4 1/2 in holder will not fit, so measure the insert, not the drawer.

For pots, pans and food storage containers, 5 1/4 in usable is on the shallow side. What matters is the interior box height and whether the line offers a deeper pot drawer with taller sides - many semi-custom lines do, even when the front looks identical. Ask for the interior box height of the deep drawers before you order.

On your last question: the opening is the same, but taller boxes need heavier glides and more material, and budget lines keep boxes short to hit a price point. Comparing one semi-custom line is worth it - drawer box specs are often the first place the difference shows.
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