Why Didn't We Think of That: 14 Storage Ideas for Kitchen Drawers
Break down the kitchen drawer into the specific item you want to store and you've got yourself a super efficient system
Melanie Gardener
18 August 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Ex-magazine editor specialising in the kitchen and bathroom industry. I am passionate about interiors and the design of interior spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms are integral to every home and I love seeing how they evolve and play different roles in different families. I travel overseas to attend relevant industry fairs every year and bring back information for the Australian kitchen and bathroom industry on emerging trends.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Ex-magazine editor specialising in the kitchen and bathroom... More
I was fascinated by a discussion in our advice section which centred around what secrets were hidden in your ‘third drawer down’. It prompted a look at kitchen drawers to see how far designers have come in offering clever and innovative ways to not only store the items we use most in the kitchen, but also where to put them, how to make sure they are in the right place, and that they are accessible at the right time. Here’s a look at 14 kitchen drawers with storage solutions that will make your life in the kitchen so much easier.
1. Plates
Who wants to go fishing around at the back of the cupboard to find the perfect dinner plate, breakfast bowl or sandwich plate? A drawer makes it so much easier to locate and access the plate you need, without needing to get down on all fours to find it.
This example utilises an in-drawer dividing system to keep the plates from moving around as the drawer is opened and closed. It also cleverly allows for similar-sized plates to be stacked together to maximise space, with heavier plates in the third drawer down.
Who wants to go fishing around at the back of the cupboard to find the perfect dinner plate, breakfast bowl or sandwich plate? A drawer makes it so much easier to locate and access the plate you need, without needing to get down on all fours to find it.
This example utilises an in-drawer dividing system to keep the plates from moving around as the drawer is opened and closed. It also cleverly allows for similar-sized plates to be stacked together to maximise space, with heavier plates in the third drawer down.
2. Cups and mugs
This drawer-behind-a-door solution is excellent for a retro-fit solution, or a good idea if you don’t want to break up a run of cabinetry with a drawer front. Although it requires two actions – open the door then pull out the drawer – this type of solution allows for three smaller drawers to be included, and these are perfect for items such as cups and mugs which aren’t so tall. The addition of the side rail keeps the drawer open enough to view the contents while ensuring taller mugs stay in place.
This drawer-behind-a-door solution is excellent for a retro-fit solution, or a good idea if you don’t want to break up a run of cabinetry with a drawer front. Although it requires two actions – open the door then pull out the drawer – this type of solution allows for three smaller drawers to be included, and these are perfect for items such as cups and mugs which aren’t so tall. The addition of the side rail keeps the drawer open enough to view the contents while ensuring taller mugs stay in place.
3. Platters
We’re used to our kitchen design incorporating plinths, but we don’t always think about clever ways to utilise this ‘lost’ space. Why not consider including a plinth drawer in your next kitchen? Although shallow, a plinth drawer is fantastic for storing large flat items such as platters or trays that are not in regular use. They can be installed with push-to-open mechanisms or discreet handles, which are not seen when the plinth is recessed under the cabinets.
We’re used to our kitchen design incorporating plinths, but we don’t always think about clever ways to utilise this ‘lost’ space. Why not consider including a plinth drawer in your next kitchen? Although shallow, a plinth drawer is fantastic for storing large flat items such as platters or trays that are not in regular use. They can be installed with push-to-open mechanisms or discreet handles, which are not seen when the plinth is recessed under the cabinets.
4. Pots and pans
Big pots, large saucepans and unwieldy frying pans are a storage nightmare in most kitchens. Simply utilising deep drawers can help, but may not be helpful enough when trying to locate the one you need. Pictured here is a brilliant storage solution: drawers with extra segmentation to keep the pots apart. Note how the segments only extend part of the way into the storage space, cleverly allowing for longer handles to protrude across.
Big pots, large saucepans and unwieldy frying pans are a storage nightmare in most kitchens. Simply utilising deep drawers can help, but may not be helpful enough when trying to locate the one you need. Pictured here is a brilliant storage solution: drawers with extra segmentation to keep the pots apart. Note how the segments only extend part of the way into the storage space, cleverly allowing for longer handles to protrude across.
5. Trays
Any serious baker knows that you need a reasonable amount of trays to ensure you have the right size for the job. Pictured here is a brilliant way of storing trays that not only makes them easy to spot, but stops all that banging and clanking that can happen as a tray is being retrieved. Note, too, that the space remaining above is used for casserole dishes and other baking items to ensure every centimetre is maximised.
Any serious baker knows that you need a reasonable amount of trays to ensure you have the right size for the job. Pictured here is a brilliant way of storing trays that not only makes them easy to spot, but stops all that banging and clanking that can happen as a tray is being retrieved. Note, too, that the space remaining above is used for casserole dishes and other baking items to ensure every centimetre is maximised.
6. Professional bakery
For those who bake daily, this drawer solution emulates a professional bakery set-up with space for tins and accessories on one side and stainless-steel bins on the other side, for basics such as flour and sugar. The location of this drawer has also been well-thought-out so it’s super simple to measure out ingredients as needed, without having to fetch a heavy container from the pantry which can take up valuable preparation room on the countertop.
For those who bake daily, this drawer solution emulates a professional bakery set-up with space for tins and accessories on one side and stainless-steel bins on the other side, for basics such as flour and sugar. The location of this drawer has also been well-thought-out so it’s super simple to measure out ingredients as needed, without having to fetch a heavy container from the pantry which can take up valuable preparation room on the countertop.
7. Utensils
Drawers don’t always have to utilise a horizontal storage solution. In this example, deep ‘pockets’ have been installed to allow for the upright storage of cooking utensils. This arrangement makes the utensils easy to see and easy to pick up during busy cooking times. Using a number of smaller pockets also allows for similar items to be grouped together, which makes finding the one item you are looking for so much easier.
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Drawers don’t always have to utilise a horizontal storage solution. In this example, deep ‘pockets’ have been installed to allow for the upright storage of cooking utensils. This arrangement makes the utensils easy to see and easy to pick up during busy cooking times. Using a number of smaller pockets also allows for similar items to be grouped together, which makes finding the one item you are looking for so much easier.
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8. Knives
A properly set-up knife drawer is a delight to behold. Not only is it much safer, due to the knives being clearly laid out, the system makes it easy to pick up the knives and to put them away. They are stored with their sharpest points concealed, which is much better for the knife. When the blades are stored properly, there is less friction as the drawer moves, meaning the knives stay in good condition and take longer to become dull and need sharpening less often.
A properly set-up knife drawer is a delight to behold. Not only is it much safer, due to the knives being clearly laid out, the system makes it easy to pick up the knives and to put them away. They are stored with their sharpest points concealed, which is much better for the knife. When the blades are stored properly, there is less friction as the drawer moves, meaning the knives stay in good condition and take longer to become dull and need sharpening less often.
9. Cutlery
Keeping track of more than just knives and forks, a well-organised drawer system also includes space to sort and organise utensils and cutlery for serving. Look for a system that’s flexible and can be tailored to suit your individual items. The cutlery trays should be fairly narrow so items can easily be found. A set-up such as the one pictured, with one larger drawer and an inner drawer, allows you to keep everyday cutlery at the top and utensils underneath.
Keeping track of more than just knives and forks, a well-organised drawer system also includes space to sort and organise utensils and cutlery for serving. Look for a system that’s flexible and can be tailored to suit your individual items. The cutlery trays should be fairly narrow so items can easily be found. A set-up such as the one pictured, with one larger drawer and an inner drawer, allows you to keep everyday cutlery at the top and utensils underneath.
10. Bottles
We all know the items used most regularly should be kept in the cooking zone, but who wants numerous bottles cluttering up the countertop and encroaching on preparation and serving space. The answer is a drawer for oils, vinegars and sauces. Each drawer can be segmented to ensure the bottles do not bump into each other or fall over as the drawer opens and closes. Easy to grab and easy to put away, it’s the perfect solution for any budding MasterChef.
We all know the items used most regularly should be kept in the cooking zone, but who wants numerous bottles cluttering up the countertop and encroaching on preparation and serving space. The answer is a drawer for oils, vinegars and sauces. Each drawer can be segmented to ensure the bottles do not bump into each other or fall over as the drawer opens and closes. Easy to grab and easy to put away, it’s the perfect solution for any budding MasterChef.
11. Dry goods
Pantries are great, but sometimes you want items that are used together to be grouped together. This fabulous example here has cereal, pasta, rice, beans and other dry foods stored in individual canisters in the bottom drawer. The clear lids means it takes but a moment to locate your item, and the standard sizing means it’s also a breeze to slot each canister back into place.
Pantries are great, but sometimes you want items that are used together to be grouped together. This fabulous example here has cereal, pasta, rice, beans and other dry foods stored in individual canisters in the bottom drawer. The clear lids means it takes but a moment to locate your item, and the standard sizing means it’s also a breeze to slot each canister back into place.
12. Fruit and vegetables
It’s often hard to know what to do with fruit and vegetables which are not stored in the fridge. They can go in the pantry, of course, but can look messy or be hard to contain. This example features a purpose-built unit inside a drawer, which segments the items used. It also incorporates a mesh insert at the front of the drawer to keep air flowing throughout and will maintain the produce stored inside for longer.
It’s often hard to know what to do with fruit and vegetables which are not stored in the fridge. They can go in the pantry, of course, but can look messy or be hard to contain. This example features a purpose-built unit inside a drawer, which segments the items used. It also incorporates a mesh insert at the front of the drawer to keep air flowing throughout and will maintain the produce stored inside for longer.
13. Bins and recycling
Today we are much more inclined to consider ways in which we can sort our rubbish, recycle where needed, and compost what we can. The excellent set-up pictured here has a top drawer for fresh off-cuts which can be composted. There’s also a removable tray to make it easy to empty the drawer as it becomes full. Below are two separate bins – one for recycling and the other for general rubbish.
Today we are much more inclined to consider ways in which we can sort our rubbish, recycle where needed, and compost what we can. The excellent set-up pictured here has a top drawer for fresh off-cuts which can be composted. There’s also a removable tray to make it easy to empty the drawer as it becomes full. Below are two separate bins – one for recycling and the other for general rubbish.
14. Cleaning items
Normally shoved under the sink in an unruly mess, your cleaning and/or laundry items can be organised into some semblance of order with a drawer divider system. Small compartments can be created to help larger, heavier bottles stay upright (and not leak through your cupboards), but also can be useful when you are trying to locate smaller items often kept here, such as plastic bags, scrubbing brushes, sponges, and so on.
TELL US
Do you have any clever purpose-built drawers in the kitchen that accommodate just one type of item? If so, share a picture and your description of it in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse kitchen storage and organisation products
Normally shoved under the sink in an unruly mess, your cleaning and/or laundry items can be organised into some semblance of order with a drawer divider system. Small compartments can be created to help larger, heavier bottles stay upright (and not leak through your cupboards), but also can be useful when you are trying to locate smaller items often kept here, such as plastic bags, scrubbing brushes, sponges, and so on.
TELL US
Do you have any clever purpose-built drawers in the kitchen that accommodate just one type of item? If so, share a picture and your description of it in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse kitchen storage and organisation products
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I installed drawers inside all my cupboards (as per picture 2). I kept the top shelf raised with enough clearance to reach plates & bowls etc easily. Then had 3 drawers (not as deep as those pictured), enabled some stacking but not overstacking of serving dishes to avoid the need to unload to get items out. No double action required to access the most used items on the open shelf.
I arranged for the drawers to be made by a local cabinetmaker but InaDRAWER do similar fitouts. A lot cheaper than ditching a kitchen in very good condition.
This very deep drawer (300H) had a lot of wasted space. This stainless steel wire basket was fitted just above and doubled the storage capacity. Here is a link to the blog. It was an easy DIY project.
Living with a new but very tiny kitchen; organising drawers and deep cupboards can be challenging. The lid storage shown (which could also be used for plates, serving platters, napkins, whatever your requirements are) is such a great idea. I’ve been “stalking” Tansel products this past year since moving in; hopefully now we have settled in, we can stop looking and start “Tanseliing” our drawers and cupboards. Tansel also have super products for narrow and deep kitchen spaces, and for very shallow spaces (like herb jar depth) too. For the DIYer Tansel is top of my storage improvement list.