There is a permanent lack of space in the kitchen to place food, utensils, and kitchen items that are used when preparing food or during meals. Even the happy owners of spacious premises sigh sadly, looking at the orderly rows of blanks or the next ceremonial service. What can we say about tiny kitchens?
It is not surprising that experienced housewives, already at the stage of creating a kitchen project, try to make full use of all the available space. Retractable structures help to distribute the entire household “on shelves” and create a convenient and ergonomic storage system in the kitchen. If you choose the right sizes and shapes, arrange them taking into account the habits of the housewife and the types of stored property and products, you get an excellent kitchen set that provides maximum comfort while working in the kitchen.
All about kitchen cabinets and drawers
- Types of guides
- Closers
- Organizers and inserts
- Storage by functional area
- Column cabinets
- Wall cabinets
- Garbage collection system
Most users replace their kitchen furniture after at least 10, and usually after 20 years. And if you don’t think through its “filling” at the design stage, then every day during these years you will be annoyed by the need for unnecessary movements, unnecessary efforts, time spent searching for hard-to-reach items, slamming doors and drawers, lack of real order and comfort. That's why we decided to talk about how to make kitchen chores enjoyable and turn everyday routine work into pleasure.
Methods for arranging retractable systems in the kitchen
Retractable models designed using advanced technologies have a wide variety of designs. Everything is done to make the most of the kitchen space, including narrow partitions, space under the windowsill and sink, corners and walls. No one is surprised anymore by narrow and wide pencil cases, divided into cells, for small things. Or tall structures with shelves for spices, oils, bottles and jars built into the gap between the pencil case and the refrigerator.
Retractable systems are available in three main ways.
Dish drainer and cutlery
It is impossible to imagine a kitchen without a dish dryer. They can be built-in or removable, but the latter are installed less and less often: the design features do not provide proper fixation. If you pile it up with dishes, such a dryer may fall.
Typically, the dryer has a water tray. There are models with a drain tube; they allow you to avoid pulling out the tray after each dishwashing.
Main materials of dryers:
- plastic;
- polished stainless steel;
- chrome steel.
Plastic models are cheap, but they look unaesthetic if the kitchen facade is wooden or “wood-like”. Stainless steel is also a budget option, but over time it will develop rust. The highest quality and most aesthetically pleasing is a chrome-plated dryer: spraying will prevent water from penetrating the metal, and rust will not appear for a long time.
The dryer has the following placement options:
- In wall-mounted front cabinets. The most popular option. Allows you to place a wide, spacious drying area.
- In wall corner cabinets. Used in corner kitchens, it allows you to place a lot of dishes, but due to the design features it is inconvenient to place large plates in it.
- In the lower cabinets of the kitchen unit. The fastening mechanism is the same as in drawers. Convenient location for a housewife with short stature.
When installing built-in dryers, it is important to consider cabinet ventilation. Insufficient air flow will eventually lead to rust on the fasteners or even damage to the cabinet itself.
When using built-in dryers, it is important to monitor the water in the pan. Even with an automatic system, the drain becomes clogged, which leads to water accumulation
To avoid an unpleasant odor, the tray is periodically removed, washed and wiped dry.
Cutlery
Cutlery placement options:
- in the drawer of the floor cabinet;
- in the door of a wall or floor cabinet.
In a box - the most common option. It is most convenient to use a telescopic mounting system, so the space of the box will be used to the maximum.
Variety of facades
To buy cabinets for the kitchen and not regret it, immediately think about the front part of the kitchen furniture. With their help, you can create a unique atmosphere and adhere to a certain style. But at the same time, we should not forget about the specifics of the room: the facade materials should not deteriorate quickly, since there are sudden temperature changes in the kitchen. Also, facades can often get dirty due to cooking or get wet when washing dishes.
The materials used when choosing facades will depend on the chosen style. But the most popular types are MDF, chipboard, natural wood or wood inserts are often used. Modern versions may have plastic facades or facades made of special glass (which is easily washed). As an option, you can install frosted glass. These options look good, but are quite expensive.
Metal elements are often used in Art Nouveau or Art Deco style kitchens. Because of this, the room may acquire some cold moods - these can be compensated for by the color scheme of the facades.
Chipboard and MDF facades are always covered with an additional layer of plastic or film - mainly to protect furniture from damage and dirt.
Here are some advantages of using film coating:
- There is a larger selection of colors - you can create any design;
- No defects due to wet material;
- It is difficult to damage the material;
- Low price of film.
But there is one significant drawback - the film can deteriorate due to high temperatures. So it’s better not to cover the facades near the stove and oven.
As for plastic-coated kitchen cabinet fronts, they also have their advantages:
- Large selection of all kinds of colors;
- Resistant to moisture and large temperature changes;
- They are easier to keep clean.
But there are also disadvantages - and there are more of them than with film-coated facades:
- They are quite easy to damage or scratch;
- Visible fingerprints may remain if the color of the coating is dark;
- When cleaning, use only “mild” cleaning products - no crumbs. Otherwise, the coating can be easily scratched and ruin its appearance.
Advantages and disadvantages
Even if you liked this idea, do not rush to make it a reality. It is better to weigh the pros and cons to avoid disappointment in the future.
Let's talk about the pros first.
- Additional storage space
Baking trays, frying pans, and wire racks, which previously had to be constantly removed from the oven before being used, can now find their permanent “place of residence” in the kitchen basement.
- Ease of use
If the mechanism is installed correctly, the drawers will easily slide out and slide in to their full depth, which allows you to quickly find what you need and easily maintain order inside.
- Can be used as a stepladder
Under a kitchen with a high plinth, you can also install a stepladder. If you want to teach small children to wash dishes, then this is a more reliable and convenient option compared to a standard stool. And if you are short, then such a step will replace a stepladder and allow you to reach the top shelves of wall cabinets.
What could be the disadvantages of such a solution?
- Unaesthetic appearance of the kitchen set
A solid base looks more beautiful than one divided into parts. In addition, poorly chosen handles may not be in harmony with the overall look of the kitchen.
- Not suitable for every kitchen
It is impossible to install drawers under a set with a low base.
The recommended minimum height is 12 cm, otherwise there is no point in such a solution.
- Additional financial costs
A new kitchen with a custom-made plinth will always be more expensive, as will any deviation from the standards in furniture design. If you make basement drawers with your own hands for a previously installed kitchen, then you will also face costs: the purchase of basic materials, guides, fittings, time and effort.
- An incorrectly installed plinth will interfere with your feet.
If you didn’t guess correctly with the depth and installed them too close to the edge of the kitchen cabinets, then a person standing close to the set will be uncomfortable due to their feet resting on them.
- Cheap mechanisms and improper installation can cause more problems than they are worth
Poorly installed drawers can scratch the floor.
- Difficulty of installation
You need to take into account not only the dimensions of the box itself and the niche for it, but also the floor level.
Basic tips when choosing
First, let's look at some features of choosing drawers for the kitchen:
- The height of the people who will live in the apartment. This will determine what doors can be made, the height of the shelves and many other features;
- Convenient arrangement of cabinets. So, for example, it is better to make a trash can next to the sink, and above it you can place a drawer for drying dishes;
- Working distance from drawers to table top. Calculate so that the upper-level wall cabinets do not interfere with cooking;
- Price. Decide how much you are willing to spend on boxes - and based on this, select the material and company. By the way, at good prices you can choose high-quality kitchen drawers from German manufacturers;
- Dimensions of kitchen cabinets. You should roughly calculate what size the cabinets will be so that you can store all your utensils in them. Don’t forget to leave enough free space for other needs: eating, tea corner;
- Appliances. You will need to install a dishwasher, oven, refrigerator into the kitchen space - immediately consider which cabinet modules can be placed in them.
Location of retractable systems in corners
To make full use of the available space, owners choose “L”-shaped and “U”-shaped, broken kitchen layouts. And the question immediately arises: how to use angles most efficiently? Drawers of a special design allow you to solve the problem brilliantly.
The curved facade and the figured lower part of the drawer completely follow the line of the set, without breaking out of the general style. And the quality of the arrangement and storage of kitchen utensils remains high, allowing you to easily add or remove the necessary items.
Color solutions for open shelves
Shelves to match the color of the countertop
They look great on the wall and at the same time seem to continue the tabletop area. It is recommended to place them above the cutting table area, while all the items necessary for cooking will be at arm's length. You can put dishes on such shelves, but it is better if you place kitchen knives, containers with spices and small pots on them.
Shelving to match the color of kitchen facades
They look like a single unit with the kitchen set. You can place such shelves on the wall. Place decorative dishes on them - jugs, glasses and other kitchen utensils made of clay. In order for the shelf to securely hold the dishes, provide it with a limiting border, which will be located around the perimeter of the product and will prevent plates or cups from slipping. You can use such shelves for flowers, because the kitchen area simply needs greenery.
Stationary shelving made of wood or metal
Shelves can be not only wall mounted. Kitchen racks with open shelves for utensils are an excellent solution for the kitchen. Especially when it comes to a professionally equipped kitchen space. On such shelves you can place utensils for preparing and serving food. Household appliances such as a microwave, mixer or bread maker will also fit on the rack without taking up much space in the kitchen. Metal shelves will look great in a kitchen decorated in high-tech style. Since the shelving unit with open shelves is quite stable, you can safely place heavy dishes (porcelain plates, cast iron ovenware) on it.
When are plinth boxes needed?
In a small kitchen, the area of which does not exceed 5 square meters, using a plinth for storage can become an absolute necessity. There you can remove what clutters up the main storage areas in ordinary cabinets.
In addition, this is also true for tall people. The height of the tabletop directly depends on the height of the owner, and while for some it is enough to slightly twist the legs of the lower cabinets to make it convenient to cook, then for others they have to change them, or better yet, install drawers instead of the base. Don't waste useful space in vain!
How to keep your kitchen cabinets tidy
When everything is kept in its place, dirt does not spread throughout the kitchen, and cleaning takes very little time.
Install a hood and turn it on every time you cook - proper air circulation will not only eliminate unpleasant odors, but also reduce the amount of splashes of water and fat during the cooking process.
Wipe all surfaces immediately after use; fresh dirt is easily washed off with a damp cloth, but dried stains will require general cleaning.
To avoid worrying about toxic substances near food and utensils, buy products labeled eco-friendly or for children.
Remember where everything is so that you can throw away expired products in a timely manner. You can attach whiteboards or paper lists to cabinet doors.
Regularly check bulk products for foreign animals. One pack of cereal spoiled by pests can ruin an entire cabinet of supplies.
In a comfortable and beautiful kitchen, daily cooking turns from a duty into a hobby. Even those who were previously wary of approaching the stove will want to master a new recipe - and with the right organization, it will turn out to be quite simple.
Horizontal arrangement of retractable systems
These include both familiar drawers, familiar from childhood, and more intricate designs:
- shallow but wide pencil cases built under the edge of the sink or hob. Their advantages are the variety of shapes and the ability to extend to the very end, revealing a view of the entire contents;
- several drawers or grids hiding behind one cabinet door or the elongated front of the bottom, largest drawer;
- grids and carousel mechanisms made of plastic and glass, which are built into cabinets.
Horizontal drawers are built not only into the lower tier of kitchen cabinets. Often, a tall and deep cabinet-cabinet is allocated for this design, which saves space. Pull-out systems are also located in the lower part of hanging cabinets, under large household appliances.
Types and sizes
There are several options for installing drawers in the plinth:
- with a common bar;
- separately under each cabinet.
Depending on the design, they can be made separate or double. In the first case, the box is installed independently under the bottom of the headset.
In the second case, it is combined with the lower drawer of the kitchen and turns out to be deeper and more spacious.
Depending on the mechanism, the structure can be installed:
- on furniture wheels;
- on roller guides;
- on ball guides.
You can choose different opening methods, which directly affect the aesthetics of the headset’s appearance:
- with the push-to-open system - the most aesthetic option when it opens by pressing, and there is no need to select handles that match the style;
- with sink handles - this option also looks very neat, but too large brackets can cause injury by catching your legs;
- knob handles and handle rails will be conspicuous and spoil the appearance of the kitchen, so they will be a less preferable option.
Drawers can be with or without closers. If you can pay more for the mechanism, it is better to choose soft-closing fittings.
Since the drawers in the base are small in height, this disadvantage should be compensated for by width. It is not recommended to make them less than 60 cm wide.
Multifunctional shelves for the kitchen
Open cabinet - bar
The kitchen area often serves as a place to relax with friends. Alcoholic drinks can be stored right there. Just imagine a corner that resembles a real wine cellar right in your kitchen. An open shelving unit made of wooden beams is best suited for these purposes.
The more uncouth and rough the shelves look, the better. To create the appropriate ambience, we will need small rectangular cardboard boxes (you can use shoe boxes, having previously covered them with wrapping paper).
Place dried hay in boxes (you can buy it at any pet store) and place bottles of wine horizontally.
Your minibar will look simply luxurious and it doesn’t matter at all that the wine in it is not aged a hundred years. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised by this design and will appreciate your creativity and design abilities!
Shelves for cereals and spices
A real chef must be able to cook even with his eyes closed. And in order to get this or that ingredient accurately and on time, everything should be at hand.
We advise you to hang shelves on which boxes of cereals and spices will be placed. For these purposes, purchase a set of identical containers and a hanging open shelf at any supermarket.
The shelf must be hung away from the stove. The fact is that steam and moisture rising from cooking dishes can negatively affect the safety of bulk products and spices.
Shelf-vegetable garden in the kitchen
It's nice to eat what you grew with your own hands! We invite residents of megacities to create a real vegetable garden right in their kitchen.
Open shelves will come in handy for this. Buy rectangular plastic containers and fill them with soil. Plant onions, parsley or any other greens.
Place your miracle garden on a shelf near a window where there is maximum natural light. In the future, you will only need to water your beds and harvest as needed.
They are used volumetrically in the upper tier.
Choosing furniture: helpers in maintaining order
It’s good if you have a spacious kitchen in which you can place a huge corner set with countless cabinets and shelves. In this case, the question of maintaining order and organizing storage is only a matter of your accuracy: it is enough to allocate a separate container for each type of item.
It’s more difficult if you have to decide how to fit everything you need into a standard kitchen in a Khrushchev-era building. However, in this case there are invisible helpers - furniture with hidden tanks.
Now we are talking not only about standard sets, where you can equip pull-out shelves that do not take up much space. Many furniture companies produce U- and L-shaped kitchens, in which the corners are designed in a special way - in the form of shelves of complex shapes. This way you can easily adapt a place for storage that was previously just idle.
Does this option seem boring to you? Order a set with a special rotating platform installed in the corner. Comfortable, ergonomic and very stylish.
If you have a lot of dishes in your kitchen, it makes sense to think about a pull-out rack. When closed, it takes up practically no space, but all kitchen utensils fit into it. However, a regular vertical dish rack with lower drawers can also be very convenient. In addition, such furniture is an excellent decoration for a kitchen in a classic style.
Need a place to store supplies or utensils that you don't use too often? Think about a kitchen corner with drawers or a lift-up lid - it’s convenient and no one will notice that there are more cabinets under the soft seats.
As you can see, furniture for storing dishes and other utensils is not only a set. Show your imagination and organizing things will become a pleasant and easy task.
What types of retractable kitchen elements are there?
Retractable structures work easily and naturally, thanks to advanced mechanisms. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the material from which the fittings are made, the build quality and trouble-free operation. It is advisable to purchase certified products from familiar brands. In turn, responsible manufacturers of kitchen furniture enter into contracts only with trusted partners.
What can be stored in the plinth?
Depending on the height, the space inside can be used for storing various items:
- baking sheets, trays and flat baking dishes;
- frying pans;
- sets of flat plates;
- bottles of wine or oils;
- products: vegetables, cereals, spices, etc.;
- rolling pins, corkscrews and other small kitchen tools;
- extra cutlery (knives, forks, spoons);
- brushes, sponges, rags, household chemicals, gloves and other means for cleaning and maintaining cleanliness;
- foil, sleeves and baking paper, cling film, plastic bags and garbage bags in rolls;
- pet food;
- skewers and grill grates;
- books and notebooks with recipes;
- folding chairs.
Other interesting storage ideas: Magic corner for the kitchen - 3 types of mechanism and features of use
Where can I buy it and how much does it cost?
For such a solution, the most difficult thing is to find suitable fittings. Special mechanisms and guides are available from brands such as Blum, Hettich, ELCO, etc.
You can find them in large construction and furniture hypermarkets and on online shopping sites.
The cost of a 60 cm wide and deep chipboard box will largely depend on the type of fittings. With high-quality German or Austrian mechanisms, its cost will start from 5 thousand rubles. Chinese-made fittings will be 2-3 times cheaper, but the load-carrying capacity of a structure with inexpensive fittings will be lower.
Ikea
Is it possible to make plinth boxes under an IKEA kitchen? If you are designing a kitchen from scratch, then theoretically the project can include the necessary reserve for their installation. Low variants of the Forvara and Maximera series are suitable.
With your own hands
If you want to make a drawer for your headset with your own hands, the following video will help you. In it you will learn what materials are needed and receive step-by-step instructions:
Vertical arrangement of retractable systems
These designs are also called “bottle holders,” but you can store anything in them, from cans of cola or vegetable oil to household chemicals and cleaning supplies. They are distinguished by their small width and considerable height.
This is an excellent, optimal option for a small kitchen or a room with a non-standard layout. Manufacturers often offer ready-made kitchens with vertical structures built into lower or upper cabinets. They also allow you to close the gaps between cabinets and walls or the refrigerator in case of an error with the dimensions or the purchase of a modular kitchen. Separate systems on wheels are also sold.
Maximum height of wardrobes
Tall wardrobe 68 cm deep in a spacious hallway
The maximum height of the system is limited by the height of the furnished room. It is not advisable to design a cabinet with a height exceeding the size of the chipboard panels. The standard size of a chipboard slab is limited to 2.78 m. There are slabs up to 3.2 m high. It is not advisable to install an undivided door facade exceeding three meters. The higher the door leaf, the greater the load on the sliding door mechanism. The device will be difficult to open, and the roller mechanism will quickly fail.
Wall-to-wall wardrobe 70 cm deep
The height of the main section of the cabinet cannot exceed 2.2 m. If necessary, the model can be equipped with an additional section with separate sliding doors. In the hard-to-reach upper part you can place shelves with seasonal items.
When modeling the height, take into account the free space of the furnished area. Furniture that rises to the ceiling looks good in small rooms, with a ceiling height of no more than 2.8 m. In an apartment with ceilings of more than 3.0 m, a top-level cabinet looks unnecessarily bulky and visually reduces the occupied area.
A furniture system built from different materials looks less bulky and has a more stylish look. For decoration you can combine glass, mirrors, wood, satin glass, bamboo, or use photomolecular printing. Satin glass, photomolecular printing can be combined with any material.
When modeling the component parts of the model, you should remember whether the house is equipped with a freight elevator, take into account the overall dimensions of the freight elevator and the size of the entrance door openings. Consider the possibility of supplying component parts of the product.
Wall storage
However, it is not always possible to put something other than a set and a small dining table in a small kitchen. In this case, the walls will help you out! They can be used in different ways - not just to install wall cabinets.
For a country-style kitchen, they can be replaced with open shelves. However, keep in mind that the dishes displayed there must be beautiful and in impeccable condition - which means cleaning will have to be done regularly.
A convenient feature for storing kitchen devices is a perforated panel on the wall. It is easy to hang any kitchen utensils on it - from ladle to small frying pans.
But this is not necessary! Do not try to place all the dishes in the house there. There is a risk that the panel will simply collapse under its weight.
You can also use a magnetic panel for cutlery - some people lay out entire pictures of forks and spoons on it, turning this handy gadget into a real kitchen decoration.
Pocket shelves are well suited for storing plates, flat pans, and pot lids. The latter are a real scourge of the housewife, as they are often in complete chaos and take up a lot of space. This way you can compactly place them on the wall.
