Design Challenges: Kitchen Drawer System

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The main concept for our new kitchen was functionality and accessibility. And functionality does not equate to lots of storage spaces, as we had found out.

Our old kitchen had two large floor-to-ceiling tall cabinets with shelves and doors. Lots of storage? Yes, but little functionality. The cabinets stored paper rolls, cling-wrap, aluminum foil, extra tooth-brushes, toothpaste, shampoos, soap bars, canned food, dried goods, cake tins, biscuit tins, paper towels, etc.. you name it, we had it. You get the picture.

What happened? Well, initially things were organized and neat. But after several months, it became a routine to leave frequently used items on the counter top instead of the deep recesses within the cupboard. Convenient - yes, but what a mess!

We decided drawers and open shelving are the means to achieve our goal of functionality and accessibility. Placed below the worktop, drawers provide convenient and easily accessible storage. Organized into zones recommended on Blum's Moving Products Solution or Hettich's Intelligent Kitchen website, drawers are the workhorse of the kitchen: they make or break the kitchen.

Therefore we decided we could build our concept functional kitchen with drawers and open shelves, all within easy reach, no need to use a stool or ladder. We also want kitchen items such as cutlery, utensils and appliances that are used daily to be organized and remain hidden -- to promote a clutter-free and organized kitchen.

Can we really achieve a functional, clutter-free and yet organized kitchen? Often the reality is far-flung from the expectation. How will the concept work out in practice? Did we get the measurements right? How is the actual experience? Did we achieve what we set out to do?

We shall have to wait and see.

Obverse view: Hettich Meca Hinge