Kitchen cabinets

Principles of kitchen furniture

The basis of kitchen fitting is the so-called work triangle, consisting of the fridge and freezer, the sink and the cooker. The positioning of these three elements is crucial to the design of the entire kitchen arrangement. It is most ergonomic to use the sequence fridge - worktop - sink - worktop - cooker. Why is this? Well, this way you will create a whole production sequence in the kitchen for food processing, which starts at the fridge, continues with the sink (washing meat, vegetables, peeling, etc.) and culminates with the cooking area.

The work triangle is a concept that also helps in the layout of the different zones in the kitchen. It is worth organising a storage area around the fridge. This should include, in addition to the fridge and freezer, cabinets with food storage drawers (acting as a home larder). The second area is the food preparation area. It includes a sink with waste bins around it and a countertop to facilitate slicing and peeling. The next element is the cooking area - a cooker or gas/electric hob and oven. It should also include roomy cabinets for storing pots, baking tins, etc.

When furnishing the kitchen, it is of course also important not to forget the worktops - it is advisable to have at least 60 cm long worktops between the fridge, sink and cooker.

Choosing kitchen cabinets when furnishing a kitchen

From the principles of kitchen furnishing, there are also a few tips for selecting kitchen cabinets. The cabinets in the storage area should have enough drawers and shelves to accommodate all loose and pre-packaged and tinned foodstuffs. Cabinets with drawers to accommodate cutting boards, knives and cutlery are worth placing near the prep area. On the other hand, cabinets for pots and pans are worth placing next to the cooker.

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Corner units - make the most of every centimetre

Corner planning is a nightmare in any kitchen. The solution is corner cabinets, which make full use of the available corner space.

Corner wall units are available in two basic versions - L-shaped and with a slanted front. Fans of minimalism will certainly like the first version, but the second offers more storage space.

In the case of corner base cabinets, it is worth thinking about revolving shelves (carousel), which will make it much easier to put kitchen accessories in and take them out.

How do I buy kitchen cabinets - together or separately?

Both sets of cabinets and buying individual kitchen cabinets have their own advantages.

Single kitchen cabinets

In a situation where you want to extend your kitchen or replace one element of the kitchen, you can opt for a single cabinet. The disadvantage of this solution is that it has to be adapted to the other elements. This can be solved by using any cabinet in the right size and ordering a front identical to those fitted to the other cabinets.

Kitchen cabinet sets

A kitchen cabinet set is a solution that significantly simplifies the process of kitchen decoration. With one click, you buy a ready-made kitchen "layout", consisting of top and bottom cabinets, drawers and space for the oven. The disadvantages of such a solution? Kits are usually not suitable for corner installation, so you have to have a long enough wall in your kitchen for such a kit to fit in.

Modular kitchen cabinets

This is an intermediate solution between the two above. Modular cabinets allow you to create any combination within the system offered by the respective manufacturer. In this way, you can create a build to suit the size and shape of your kitchen and adapt it to your specific tastes. The use of elements from a single system will guarantee that the whole will form a coherent whole.

What are the advantages of ready-made kitchen cabinets?

The main advantage is the price - the cost of made-to-measure kitchen furniture is sometimes a multiple of what it would cost to buy the same ready-made kitchen furniture. Thanks to the wide range on offer, there are ready-made cabinets on the market to suit a variety of tastes. If you can't find anything to match, you can also buy ready-made cabinet bodies and order the fronts from a carpenter.

Kitchen cabinets with drawers

Kitchen cabinets with drawers are a staple in any kitchen. When buying them, it is worth thinking about a few little details that can make a big difference in the kitchen.

For deep pot-and-pan drawers, it is worth thinking about drawers that have a full extension. Such a feature will make life in the kitchen much easier, allowing you to quickly take out and put in kitchen accessories.

The second consideration is the soft-close function. Not only does this function protect against slamming, but also against doors slamming. And this is not difficult to do when we have to prepare Sunday lunch in a hurry.

The third aspect is the height of the drawers. Drawers for cutlery or knives can be low, while it's worth looking at taller drawers for plates or the aforementioned pots. Before you buy, think carefully about which kitchen cabinets will be used to store them and make sure they have higher drawers.

White kitchen cabinets - a universal classic

White works well in many rooms thanks to its versatility - and the kitchen is no different. Whether you plan to decorate it in a Provencal style or prefer modern minimalism - white fronts and cabinets will fit in with your kitchen interiors.

White kitchen cabinets also have an important advantage that darker-coloured cabinets don't have - you can't see dirt on them as much.

FAQ

What is the optimum height for kitchen cabinets with a countertop?

You can easily determine what height a kitchen cabinet will be good for you - its top should be 10-15 cm below your elbow. In practice, this means that for people who are 170 cm tall, the cabinet including the worktop should be around 90 cm high, while for people who are 180 cm tall, the cabinet should be around 95 cm high.

Kitchen cabinets have adjustable legs, so you can adjust the height to suit your needs. Remember, however, that cabinet plinths have a standardised height.

How deep are kitchen cabinets?

The standard depth of lower kitchen cabinets is 50-55 cm. This size is suitable for 60 cm wide kitchen worktops - the difference of a few centimetres is due to the fact that a space is usually left between the cabinets and the wall for possible cables. This margin is also necessary when levelling cabinets on a curved floor.

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Wall-hung kitchen cabinets have a shallower depth - around 35 cm. This means that their fronts are set back and make it easier to access the worktop underneath.

What is the width of kitchen cabinets?

The standard width of kitchen cabinets is 60 cm. If you are planning to furnish your kitchen, it is advisable to use exactly this width (this is also the standard for built-in appliances). Of course, it is rare that your kitchen allows you to fit several cabinets of this width perfectly, so you can supplement the remaining space with 30, 40, 50 cm wide cabinets - there are many models with these dimensions available on the market.

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