When remodeling your kitchen, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is whether to install cabinets or drawers. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it can be tough to decide which is better for your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we will answer some of the most common questions about kitchen cabinets vs. drawers and help you make the best decision for your home.
Advantages of Drawers
Kitchen drawers are a type of storage typically found in the kitchen. They are often used to store items such as silverware, dishes, and other kitchen utensils. Drawers can be either free-standing or built into cabinets. Kitchen cabinets with drawers are usually equipped with additional features such as shelves and doors.
But what are the advantages of having kitchen drawers? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits!
Better use of space
The most obvious advantage of drawers is that they make better use of space. This is especially true if you have a small kitchen. Drawers are extremely space saving since they are stackable. For example, you can have a drawer for your silverware and another one for your dishes and those would take as much space as a single shelf. This way, you can make use of every inch of space in your kitchen without having to worry about things getting lost or cluttered. [1], [3]
Easy access
Another advantage of kitchen drawers is that they offer easy access to whatever you have stored inside them.
If you have ever had to get down on your hands and knees to dig through a cabinet for something, then you know how frustrating it can be. With drawers, you can simply open the drawer and grab whatever you need without having to search through a bunch of cabinets since nothing would be lost in the back. This can be a real time-saver, especially if you are in a hurry!
Another thing to consider is that cabinets can sometimes block each other, making it difficult to access what’s inside. Drawers, on the other hand, slide out easily, so there’s no need to worry about getting things in and out. [2], [3]
More organization options
Kitchen drawers offer a lot of flexibility when it comes to organization. Cabinets tend to be one big space where everything gets thrown in together. But with drawers, you can easily organize things by putting similar items together (e.g., silverware, dishes, etc.) as each drawer can hold its own specific items. This makes it easier to find what you need and keeps your kitchen more organized.
You can also use drawer dividers to further organize your drawers. Drawer dividers are partitions that you can insert into the drawer to create compartments. This is a great way to keep things tidy and prevent items from shifting around as you open and close the drawer as you can have a lot of small kitchen gadgets or want to keep your silverware organized.
While cabinets have their own advantages (e.g., more storage space), drawers offer many benefits that make them a better option for most kitchens. With their ease of use and added organization options, drawers simply make life in the kitchen much easier! [1], [3], [4]
Ergonomics
One of the biggest advantages of having drawers in your kitchen is that they are more ergonomic. This means that they are easier on your body and help reduce strain. Drawers can easily be opened with a single hand, so you don’t have to worry about fumbling around with a bunch of cabinet doors. This is especially helpful if you have arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to use your hands.
In addition, drawers are also equipped with features such as soft-close or self-closing which makes using them even easier. These features allow the drawer to close slowly and quietly, preventing slamming and making it easier on your hands. With drawers, you also don’t have to reach up or bend down to get what you need, which can be difficult if you have limited mobility. [4]
Disadvantages of Drawers
Still, there are a few disadvantages of having drawers in your kitchen that you should be aware of.
Hard to access upper areas
While drawers are great for accessing lower areas, they can make it more difficult to reach items that are stored in upper areas. If you have drawers positioned above your countertop, you will need a stool or ladder to reach items stored in the back. This can be difficult, especially if you have limited mobility. In this case, cabinets may be a better option as they provide easy access to everything, regardless of where it’s stored. [2], [5]
Difficult to repair
Because drawers utilize railway systems, they can be difficult to repair if something goes wrong. If a drawer starts to come off the tracks, it can be difficult to put it back on without damaging the drawer or the tracks. Cabinets, on the other hand, are much easier to repair as you simply need to screw them back into place. [2], [5]
Advantages of Kitchen Cabinets
Now let’s talk about cabinets. Kitchen cabinets are the built-in furniture installed in many kitchens for storage of food, cooking equipment, and often dishes and silverware. Cabinets are often distinguished from drawers, which slide out on runners to provide access to stored items. Kitchen cabinets typically have a combination of shelves, drawers, and doors. Some also include features such as spice racks or wine racks. Cabinets can be freestanding or built into the structure of the kitchen itself.
Cabinets are usually made of wood or metal, although other materials such as laminate and glass are sometimes used. The style of cabinet can vary greatly, from simple Shaker-style cabinets to ornate Victorian-era designs. While drawers have a lot of advantages, there are also some advantages to having kitchen cabinets that might make them a better option for your home.
More storage space
One of the biggest advantages of kitchen cabinets is that they offer more storage space than drawers. If you have a lot of pots, pans, and other kitchen gadgetry, then cabinets will give you the extra space you need to store everything.
Cabinets also tend to have more shelf space than drawers, so you can use this extra space to store larger items or items that you don’t need to access as often. [1], [2], [5]
Great for storing larger items
This leads us to our next advant
age of cabinets: they are great for storing larger and heavier items. If you have large pots and pans, or large serving platters, then cabinets are a great option.
Drawers can accommodate some larger items, but they are generally better suited for smaller things. So if you have big kitchen items that you need to store, then cabinets will likely be your best bet.
Cabinets also offer more protection for your dishes and glassware than drawers. This is because the doors on most cabinets tend to close more tightly than drawers, preventing things from falling out and breaking. [1], [2], [5]
Durability
Cabinets are also very durable and can last for many years. This is because they are made of stronger materials and tend to be better constructed. Drawers can also be quite durable, but they are more likely to break if they are not made of high-quality materials or if they are not properly installed. For example, if a railway system is not installed properly, it can cause the drawers to come off their tracks or get stuck.
Option to store a bigger variety of items
Another advantage of having cabinets is that they can be used to store a plenty of things from food to dishes and appliances. For example, you can use them to store small appliances or cleaning supplies. This frees up drawer and counter space for other things.
You can find cabinets to fit any space in your kitchen and to meet any storage needs you might have. You can also find cabinets with many different features such as shelves, drawers, doors, and more, which means finding a cabinet that will work for you won’t take too long. [1], [2], [5]
Disadvantages of Kitchen Cabinets
As you can see, there are many advantages to having kitchen cabinets. However, there are also some disadvantages that you should consider.
Harder to access items
As we already briefly mentioned, one of the biggest disadvantages of kitchen cabinets is that they can be harder to access items on the back. If you have a kitchen cabinet filled to the brim with dishes, then it can be difficult to get to the ones on the back. This is because you have to reach in and around all of the other dishes to get to them. With drawers, you can simply pull them out and access whatever is inside. [2], [5]
Less organization flexibility
Another disadvantage of cabinets is that they offer less organization flexibility. This is because you are limited to how you can arrange things in them. For example, if you want to store your pots and pans in a certain way, then you might have to put them all in one cabinet.
With drawers, on the other hand, you can easily organize things however you want. You can put all of your pots and pans in one drawer or spread them out among multiple drawers. This gives you more flexibility when it comes to organizing your kitchen. [2], [5]
FAQ
Are kitchen drawers more expensive than cabinets?
The cost of kitchen cabinets and drawers varies depending on the materials, style, and quality. In general, though, kitchen drawers are more expensive than cabinets. This is because drawers require more materials and labor to construct.
Why should you replace all of your kitchen cabinets with drawers?
You’ve probably never given much thought to your kitchen cabinets. But have you ever stopped to think about how inefficient they are? If you need to grab something from the back of a cabinet, you have to take everything else out first just to get to it. That’s wasted time and effort that you could be spending on cooking or enjoying your meal.
With drawers, on the other hand, you can easily see and reach everything in them. No more rummaging around! And if you’re worried about things falling out and breaking when you open a drawer, don’t be – most modern kitchen cabinets come with mechanisms that prevent that from happening.
How many drawers should I have in my kitchen?
It really depends on the size of your kitchen and how much storage you need. If you have a smaller kitchen, you may only need a few drawers. However, if you have a larger kitchen, you may want to consider adding more drawers to help with storage.
Another factor to consider is what type of items you will be storing in your drawers. If you plan on storing heavier items, such as pots and pans, you may want to opt for sturdier drawers that can handle the weight. Alternatively, if you plan on storing lighter items, such as silverware and linens, you can choose lighter-weight drawers.
Useful Video: Why I Only Have Drawers in my Kitchen- Kitchen Drawer vs. Cabinet
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Are kitchen cabinets better than drawers or vice versa? Well, it really depends on your needs and preferences. Kitchen cabinets offer more storage space and are great for organizing your pots, pans, and other large items. Drawers are perfect for smaller items like silverware and spices. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that meets your specific needs. Still, drawers offer more organization and easier access to your items, so they’re our top pick. But cabinets really can’t be replaced when it comes to large-item storage. Hopefully, this guide has helped you make a more informed decision about which option is best for your kitchen.
Thanks for reading!
References
- https://industrystandarddesign.com/drawers-vs-cabinets-in-the-kitchen/
- https://www.homestratosphere.com/drawers-vs-cupboards/
- https://remodelmm.com/4-reasons-you-should-choose-drawers-instead-of-cabinets-for-your-kitchen-remodel/
- https://langskitchens.com/articles/2017/8/19/doors-vs-drawers-which-is-best-for-kitchen-cabinets
- https://www.zestakitchens.com.au/kitchen-drawers-versus-cupboards-pros-and-cons/