Kitchen Guides
11 Reasons Why Pullout Kitchen Cabinets Are Such a Blessing
See how these nifty solutions make your cooking and cleaning items easier to find and use
Many of us know that pullout drawers in the kitchen can make life a lot easier. There’s no need to rummage through dark, deep cabinets for a pot, pan or bag of chips when you can simply slide a drawer into the light. But the possibilities for pullouts go beyond traditional pantry-style drawers. These special pullouts for specific items can boost the functionality of your kitchen.
2. Microwave drawer
The knife and pantry storage in this photo may have caught your eye, but the true gem is the microwave drawer, which slides out and is accessed from the top. I use one in almost all my small projects these days because it keeps the microwave off the counter or wall and is ergonomic for everyone in the family to use.
The knife and pantry storage in this photo may have caught your eye, but the true gem is the microwave drawer, which slides out and is accessed from the top. I use one in almost all my small projects these days because it keeps the microwave off the counter or wall and is ergonomic for everyone in the family to use.
3. Knife rack
Now that I’ve whetted your appetite for a knife pullout, this sliding butcher block may satisfy it. It holds various sizes of knives and is easy to access. With its handle-up orientation, it’s also much safer than digging through a knife drawer.
Now that I’ve whetted your appetite for a knife pullout, this sliding butcher block may satisfy it. It holds various sizes of knives and is easy to access. With its handle-up orientation, it’s also much safer than digging through a knife drawer.
4. Vertical storage
It’s often a challenge to find enough space to store big baking sheets, trays and cutting boards. This clever pullout forgoes the hassle of having to layer heavy trays and platters on top of one another. Why is it that the tray you need is always on the bottom of the pile, anyway?
It’s often a challenge to find enough space to store big baking sheets, trays and cutting boards. This clever pullout forgoes the hassle of having to layer heavy trays and platters on top of one another. Why is it that the tray you need is always on the bottom of the pile, anyway?
5. Spice rack
One of the reasons why I really like these narrow base cabinet pullouts is that they’ll often fill the space on either side of the oven. It’s also the ideal location for those experimental chefs who always want to add a little more spice to their cuisine.
One of the reasons why I really like these narrow base cabinet pullouts is that they’ll often fill the space on either side of the oven. It’s also the ideal location for those experimental chefs who always want to add a little more spice to their cuisine.
6. Broom closet
I don’t know why, but the space that houses the cleaning supplies (often a poorly lit closet) always tends to get a little messy. Try to keep things in order by incorporating a pullout especially for them.
I don’t know why, but the space that houses the cleaning supplies (often a poorly lit closet) always tends to get a little messy. Try to keep things in order by incorporating a pullout especially for them.
7. Ironing board pullout
If you’re tempted to let a few wrinkles on your clothes slide because dragging your ironing board out of the closet and setting it up is too much of a chore, this pullout may be the key to a freshly pressed lifestyle.
If you’re tempted to let a few wrinkles on your clothes slide because dragging your ironing board out of the closet and setting it up is too much of a chore, this pullout may be the key to a freshly pressed lifestyle.
8. Appliance pullout
Keeping your counters free and clear looks tidy and leaves more space for cooking prep and entertaining. An appliance pullout provides easy access to everyday items like toasters or coffee machines, which can slide out in a snap and just as easily be hidden away when not in use.
Keeping your counters free and clear looks tidy and leaves more space for cooking prep and entertaining. An appliance pullout provides easy access to everyday items like toasters or coffee machines, which can slide out in a snap and just as easily be hidden away when not in use.
9. Wine bar
Turn your kitchen into a wine-tasting bar with a slide-out table and wine racks. Add wineglass storage and you’re all set to uncork a few bottles and, let the taste-testing begin.
Turn your kitchen into a wine-tasting bar with a slide-out table and wine racks. Add wineglass storage and you’re all set to uncork a few bottles and, let the taste-testing begin.
10. Towel rack
Dirty dishrags can be unsightly, but cramming them in a drawer doesn’t allow them to dry, promoting mould and bad odours. A towel rack pullout lets wet towels dry even when tucked away out of sight. The trays on the top and bottom of this pullout provide additional storage for cleaning supplies.
Dirty dishrags can be unsightly, but cramming them in a drawer doesn’t allow them to dry, promoting mould and bad odours. A towel rack pullout lets wet towels dry even when tucked away out of sight. The trays on the top and bottom of this pullout provide additional storage for cleaning supplies.
11. Kick-space drawer
Just when you think you’ve used up all possible storage space in your kitchen, there’s a good 4 to 5 inches below your base cabinets that can store baking sheets, platters, cutting boards or just plain old junk.
Read more:
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
What’s the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchens: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
Tell us:
How do you manage your kitchen storage? Share your ideas and photos in Comments below.
Just when you think you’ve used up all possible storage space in your kitchen, there’s a good 4 to 5 inches below your base cabinets that can store baking sheets, platters, cutting boards or just plain old junk.
Read more:
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
What’s the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchens: 5 Biggest Problems Solved
Tell us:
How do you manage your kitchen storage? Share your ideas and photos in Comments below.
How often have you spent too much time searching for your cooking utensils in a drawer that’s just a big pile of junk? By hanging them next to your stove, it’s impossible to overlook your favourite spatula.
Browse more photos for kitchen storage ideas