Food prep made easy with the right cabinet
May 2026In this article:
Optimal positioning of the main work surface
Points to consider when planning
How to make processes in the kitchen even easier
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A big part of cooking is preparing the ingredients. Blum's kitchen observations and research have shown that most food prep activities happen around the sink and cooktop. Vegetables, for example, are washed first, then chopped and then placed in the pot on the cooktop.
Planning for pros
Plenty of space to work
Kitchen users who cook need enough space for all the small tasks that come along with preparing ingredients. Dicing vegetables, kneading dough, chopping herbs, etc. If the sink and cooktop are too close together, this doesn't leave enough space for essential tools like cutting boards, colanders, bowls and other new items that are added at each step of the cooking process.
With this in mind, the ergonomics experts at Blum recommend planning around 36 inches of workspace between the sink and cooktop. This leaves enough room for all the necessary tools and ingredients without feeling too cramped.
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Everything needed for food prep – from knives, mixing spoons and graters to bowls, ingredients and spices – should be within reach at the main work surface.
Sophisticated base cabinets offer plenty of storage space for all these utensils and guarantee efficient cooking processes.
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The ideal workspace for food preparation
Well-organized workflows in the kitchen are a must when it comes to avoiding unnecessary walking back and forth. Use the following tips when planning the kitchen layout to ensure an optimal workflow when preparing food:
The main work surface should be positioned centrally, ideally between the sink and cooktop.
The countertop space should also offer enough room for complex recipes – a width of around 36 inches is ideal, and it should not be less than 30 inches if at all possible.
Base cabinets are spacious enough to accommodate not only kitchen utensils, but also bulky items such as mixing bowls and colanders.
Blum recommends base cabinets with drawers instead of shelves so that even items stored at the back glide out of the cabinet for easy retrieval.
A cabinet for the main work surface
Using the findings from Blum's kitchen observations and research means we are able to recommend specific types of cabinets for specific tasks. What works best is, of course, ultimately decided by the kitchen buyers themselves. However, for food preparation, we have determined that a base cabinet with drawers is the optimal solution thanks to the combination of countertop workspace and ergonomic drawer storage.
With Blum's box systems – for example or – it's possible to design base cabinets to fit the width of the available space. The volume of needed storage should be determined from the start during kitchen planning so the base cabinet is wide enough to meet the kitchen user's needs.
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Scroll through the slideshow of images below to see how a functional base kitchen cabinet can provide plenty of storage space on four levels for all the small and large utensils and tools needed for food prep.
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All of the important kitchen utensils such as knives, whisks, garlic press, grater and peeler are stored in the top drawer so they are easily within reach. Up to nine knives can be safely stored in Blum's ORGA-LINE knife holder.
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The second drawer from the top holds less frequently used items, for example cling wrap, aluminum foil, spatulas and other various cooking utensils.
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The third drawer from the top is perfect for storing ingredients, especially when the drawer sides are high enough to prevent items from falling over the sides or back of the drawer.
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The bottom drawer offers plenty of space for bulky storage items such as strainers, salad bowls and mixing bowls – everything that should be within easy reach for food prep.
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At a glance: food prep made easy
The main work surface is the heart of the kitchen.
For efficient work processes, position it between the sink and cooktop.
Ideally, it should be at least 36 inches wide to not feel cramped.
Kitchen utensils, dry ingredients, mixing bowls and colanders can be stored in base cabinet drawers under the food prep area.
Flexible organization systems in drawers keep utensils grouped together and uncluttered for quick retrieval.
Functional accessories from Blum (such as the knife holder) make daily work in the kitchen easier.
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