Where do storage accessories pay off first?
Start with three spots: trash and recycling, the blind corner, and the drawers you open every day. Put the waste pull-out beside the sink. The National Kitchen & Bath Association's published planning guidelines have long recommended that at least one corner cabinet include a functional storage device. Beyond the corner, the right accessory depends on what you actually cook with. NKBA says organizing items should be selected to meet user needs, so list what you reach for before you shop.
| Spot | What goes there | Check before you choose |
|---|---|---|
| Beside the sink | Pull-out waste and recycling containers | Cabinet type (face frame or frameless) and the opening's width, height and depth |
| Base cabinets | Pull-out base cabinet organizers | Opening width and depth, plus hinges or plumbing in the way |
| Blind corner | Rotating or pull-out corner units | Reach versus shelf area; advanced pull-outs cost more than basic spinouts |
| Daily drawers | Cutlery trays, peg boards, spice inserts | Width, depth and height of the drawer opening |
How do you choose for a blind corner?
A lazy Susan is the simpler fix; a pull-out unit reaches more of the corner. Your cabinet plan decides which one fits. The guide to kitchen storage systems compares them in more depth.
How do you measure before ordering?
Measure the cabinet opening, then match the accessory to it. For waste containers, one hardware maker’s ordering page asks for the cabinet type plus the opening's width, height and depth. One organizer maker’s guide for drawer inserts uses the same three measurements and tells you to allow for obstructions such as plumbing and hinges. Bottom-mount containers sit on the cabinet floor, which gives a lower deck height than side-mount ones.
For the cost-versus-benefit view, read are kitchen storage systems worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Where should trash and recycling go?
Near the cleanup sink, with a second bin for recycling in the kitchen or nearby. NKBA's published guidelines have long recommended at least two waste receptacles.
Will a pull-out organizer fit any base cabinet?
No. Fit depends on the opening's width, height and depth, the cabinet type, and obstructions such as plumbing and hinges, so check each product's minimum opening first.
What size waste container fits my cabinet?
It depends on the cabinet, so check the maker's measuring guide for the exact product and match the opening dimensions before you order. One hardware maker's ordering page notes that full-height cabinets typically take 50-quart containers and drawer-and-door cabinets typically 35-quart.
Should I choose accessories before the cabinets are built?
It helps. Accessory fit depends on opening dimensions and cabinet type, so settle on the pieces you want while the cabinet plan is still on paper.
Keep reading
Kitchen storage systems: which pull-outs and organizers are worth itNot every organizer earns its place. The ones that do solve something you do every day: sorting trash, reaching a deep corner, finding the right pan.…Read more
CabinetryShaker, slim shaker, high gloss and matte slab cabinetry.Read more
Premium sinksA stunning selection of high-demand quartz sinks in a wide variety of sizes, depths and configurations.Read moreSources
- NKBA: Kitchen Planning Guidelines with Access Standards (edition based on the 2015 IRC)
- Houzz: Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets (April 7, 2024)
- A hardware maker’s ordering page: waste containers (an example from another company)
- An organizer maker’s measuring guidance for a drawer insert (an example from another company)
- McCormick: Gourmet FAQs (spice storage)
- Penn State Extension: Storing Staple Ingredients in the Kitchen
