17 Oct Kitchen Drawers vs Doors: Which Base Units Are Best?

When you plan a kitchen, one question comes up again and again: should the base units have drawers or doors? Base units hold your heaviest items and get used the most, so the choice affects how the kitchen feels every day.

The honest answer is that each has a job to do, and the best kitchens use both. Here is how to decide.

When drawers beat doors

Drawers shine for anything you use often or store in bulk. Pots, pans, lids and containers are easier to find in a drawer, because you see everything from above instead of reaching into a dark cupboard.

Wikipedia notes on its kitchen cabinet page that drawers make contents easier to reach and reduce bending and squatting, although they leave slightly less usable space than shelves.

That makes drawers a good fit for anyone who wants easier access, from older family members to anyone with a bad back. Our 450mm floor unit with 4 drawers is made for exactly this, with four drawers in a unit just 450mm wide. We explain more in our post on how kitchen drawers can simplify your daily life. The same drawer article also explains how drawer slides give you access to the whole interior.

When doors win

Doors are better for bulky, awkward or tall items. A big roasting pan, a stockpot, a bucket or a bin all fit more easily behind a door, because nothing limits their height. Doors are also the sensible choice around plumbing, where pipes and the sink trap get in the way of drawers. They tend to cost less too, since a door unit has fewer moving parts.

Our 600mm floor unit and 900mm floor unit are good all-round door units, and corners are usually best handled with a door unit as well.

Mixing drawers and doors

Most well-planned kitchens use a mix. Put drawers where you cook and prepare food, so pots, utensils and tools are close to the hob. Use door units under the sink and in the corners, where drawers do not work well.

If you cannot decide, the 450mm floor unit with 1 drawer is a smart compromise. The drawer holds cutlery or tools, and the door below takes bigger items. A drawer on the working side of an island also works well, which you can see in our guide to building a kitchen island from base units.

Practical points before you order

Drawers need room to open fully, so check that handles will not clash at corners and that a filler panel is used where needed. Our handles are sold separately, so you can choose a style that suits the way you use the kitchen. The National Kitchen and Bath Association also recommends large, deep drawers in base cabinets in this article on pull-out storage.

The easiest way to get the balance right is to see it. Our free 3D design lets you try drawers and doors in your own layout before you order.

Ready to choose your base units? SHOP BASE UNITS