How to design your kitchen drawers for style and efficiency

How to design your kitchen drawers for style and efficiency

Maintaining a tidy and organised kitchen is not just about aesthetics; it’s a fundamental aspect of a functional and efficient culinary space, and at Kitchen Design Centre, we understand that.

As the heart of any home, the kitchen often houses an array of utensils, cookware, and spices, making it a hub of daily activity. The benefits of keeping everything in order extend beyond a pleasing visual appeal. An organised designer kitchen enhances productivity, streamlines meal preparation, and reduces stress by creating a serene cooking environment – and looking visually stunning!

It’s all about access

In the initial stages of kitchen design, one of the first questions we ask our clients is how they want their space to function. Our designers focus on optimising the available space to cater to each individual’s wants and needs. And while cupboards or under-counter storage are usually seen as the big hitters of kitchen storage, the convenience and aesthetics of a well-designed kitchen drawer should never be overlooked! One thing kitchen drawers provide is easy access, which, when you’re cooking, is what you’re looking for so your flow and functionality aren’t interrupted.

Fitting a concealed spice rack is a great way to keep your kitchen tidy and efficient. Instead of searching through a cluttered cupboard or work surface, you can effortlessly pull open a drawer on the stretch of kitchen island where you’re cooking and see your entire spice collection neatly laid out. This saves you time and effort and adds a touch of sophistication to your kitchen area.

Consider bespoke drawer inserts

Custom or bespoke drawer inserts provide another efficient way to keep your space organised while adding an extra touch of elegance. Plus, who said the aesthetics have to stop at the exterior? Sometimes, these finishing touches make all the difference when it comes to functionality.

Don’t be afraid to take a little extra time and effort to plan the layout of your kitchen drawers. It can make a significant difference in keeping everything neat, tidy, and organised, ultimately maximising your kitchen efficiency. When everything has a designated place, it becomes a lot easier to keep track of your cutlery and other kitchen utensils, and you are less likely to dull or damage them. Although you can opt for pre-made drawer inserts, custom-made ones are always a better option as they cater to the parts of your kitchen that are most frequently used and can be tailored to suit your specific requirements and preferences. This way, you can make the most of your kitchen space, making your overall cooking experience even more satisfying.


Zone the drawers in your workspace

Zone the drawers in your workspace

Everyone has their preferred spots for preparing, cooking, and serving food. So, why not maximise the flow of your kitchen by arranging the order of your drawers accordingly? Instead of randomly assigning drawers to your cutlery, crockery, pots, and pans, organise them to complement your workflow.

Ensure that you place your pots and pans in the drawer closest to your stovetop and oven so that you do not have to disrupt your flow of concentration when you need to add an extra utensil or pan into the mix. For instance, if you prepare most of your ingredients on your kitchen island, keeping your cooking knives and chopping boards in this drawer would be best. Moreover, where you are most likely to start transferring your food from pans to plates, you should store your knives, forks, and spoons. Creating a zoning system for your kitchen drawers can improve workflow, making the cooking experience even more seamless and enjoyable.

How can we help at Kitchen Design Centre?

Each one of our designers here at Kitchen Design Centre have a wealth of design knowledge and a great understanding of interior design styles. We understand how each part of your kitchen plays a role in making it the space you’ve dreamed of (whether immediately visible upon entering or not). From colour schemes to fixtures and lighting, we’ll work with you to produce a unique space tailored specifically to you. So, whatever you’re looking for in your designer kitchen, rest assured we can cook it up right here!

For inspiration, why not look through some of our previous work for past clients in our case studies? Or, to get a feel for what we can do for you, head down to one of our showrooms in Manchester, Liverpool, Blackburn and Barrowford and chat with one of our designers about bringing your ideas to life!

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TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM

In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living. 

The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.

Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM

Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall. 

This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!

Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY

In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.

One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!

Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE

Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.

One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.

Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time. 

Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment 

#kitchendesign #kitchenremodel #kitchenrenovation #kitchendesignideas #kitchendesigner #teambuilding
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