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B A N K S O F D R A W E R S – What to consider when planning your new kitchen

Deciding on drawer functionality and style can be a daunting task; but we are here to tell you – don’t sweat it! Keep on reading for help on how to narrow down all the options.

Let’s get started…

After a few design meetings with you (our clients), we like to send you off with a little bit of homework which helps us gain a better understanding of your needs. First item on the list is appliances. There are endless options and price points when it comes to appliances, however the ultimate decision and preference is up to you – we only want to help make your life easier!

We love sending our clients to our favourite salespeople. They will help educate you on brands, price points and all things to consider when prepping for appliances. If you’re wondering what to consider when selecting appliances, we’ve created a blog just for you! Check it out here: https://bit.ly/2xmeJ2X

The next set of homework is analyzing how you would use your new kitchen, which relates with what you store in your current one. Although there are a few categories on the cabinet topic, we’re going to focus on the different types of drawer configurations in this post.

Here is what every common configuration of drawers are useful for…

Bank of 1 drawer

This is uncommon to see in your standard kitchen or bathroom, but one to consider! One drawer box is attached to one drawer front. We would recommend this for a sink cabinet – especially in a bathroom. This configuration allows clearance for the plumbing below the sink and gives you better access to what is stored below (versus a cabinet with a hinged door).

Aesthetically, this configuration allows for the look of one bigger front on the cabinet. A typical hinged door can only be as wide as 24” (due to the weight of the door vs the hinges). Any measurement greater than 24” would give you two doors.

Depending on the design, you may want to minimize the amount of lines – this is especially common in contemporary design. The one drawer configuration allows for a wider than 24” cabinet (since drawers are on slides instead of hinges). Here is another photo of this configuration underneath a laundry room sink

 The lower drawer box is attached to the drawer front. It is important that the drawer front has enough box to hold onto to avoid the door from drooping. We have found that an angled drawer box works the best for this configuration.  

Bank of 2 drawer

A bank of 2 drawers: a KS favourite! Every kitchen should have one or two of these banks. These are typically split into 2 x 15” drawers in height. Here is why the Designs by KS team love them so much:

• Great bottle storage! The height of these drawers makes them ideal for storing bottles upright. This could mean everything from oils, vinegars, and of course, wine (Is it 5 o’ clock yet?!)
  • Ideal locations: in a hutch, bar, kitchen by your cooking surface, or bathroom where the vanity is floating.
  • Deep drawers are great for oversized pots/pans or taller appliances such as blenders/insta-pot.
  • Minimal lines = ideal in contemporary design.
  • 48” max width

We especially love these on either side of the cooking surface. This configuration can be customized to fit a slide out tray in the top drawer. We recommend using the top slide out tray for cooking utensils, the space below for spices and the bottom drawer for upright bottle storage. 

Bank of 3 drawers

A bank of 3 drawers is the most common configuration seen in a kitchen. There are 2 main configurations (sizes) for these drawers:

Configuration A – Shallow, Shallow, Deep                           

Configuration B – Shallow, Medium, Medium

Configuration A is great option to have near the range as this allows you to store large items like pots and pans in the bottom drawer (deep) and utensils in the top two drawers (shallow). This configuration is great if you have an abundance of utensils or other small items to store.

Configuration B is ideal for the remainder of the kitchen. The shallow top drawers allow for utensils, or anything that is frequently used the most, while the bottom two can provide storage for plates and other serve ware. Ultimately, the preference is up to you, but we would discuss these options to figure out what best suites your needs. Drawer configurations can also be one style on the perimeter of the kitchen, and completely different on the island! This is the fun part of design when options are endless!

Bank of 4 drawers

A bank of 4 drawers consists of 3 shallow drawers and 1 medium drawer.

• These banks of drawers are ideal in an offset area (i.e. Prep area, craft room, office, mudroom) where extra storage is wanted but visual balance isn’t necessary (and hey – cabinets and drawers don’t always have to be symmetrical!).
• It is wise to have this configuration in tight/small locations where you can store things like stationary, knick-knacks, or craft supplies. With this drawer configuration, function and practicality is the goal.
• In a kitchen, a bank of 4 drawers is ideal to store small items such as: zip lock bags, tinfoil, linens, etc.

We hope this helped you understand a bit more about drawer function and how it can affect/enhance your space. Designs by KS strives on functional and timeless design, customized to each individual space. Hop over to the ‘contact’ page for information on how to get in touch with one of our designers.

For live renovation updates and tips & tricks, follow us on instagaram @designsby_ks

Happy Designing!