Sink cabinet with drawers: more storage space and functionality
Aug 2026In this article:
Disadvantages of traditional sink cabinets
How to make the most of existing storage space under the sink
Options for wide and narrow sink spaces
Why having your hands full is no longer a problem, thanks to Blum technology
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The traditional sink cabinet and its disadvantages
Most kitchens – especially older ones – have a traditional sink cabinet with one or two doors and a single large storage space, which is where people store kitchen towels, cleaning products and trash cans.
Blum's research team observed kitchen users in their homes around the world and noticed a common theme: if the trash and recycling bins are kept in the cabinet under the sink, the cabinet will be opened around 30 times a day – often with hands that are full of kitchen trash and food scraps or wet from washing dishes.
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Traditional sink cabinets waste a lot of valuable storage space.
There are many disadvantages of a traditional sink cabinet, including these:
Trash, cleaning products, sponges and towels are all stored in one space.
If the kitchen user is looking for something in the sink cabinet, they have to bend down or kneel on the floor – something that people with restricted mobility sometimes find particularly difficult.
To reach items that are further back in the cabinet, users often have to move items out of the way.
It is especially difficult to keep things tidy due to the lack of organization.
Storage space is wasted, especially towards the top of the cabinet.
The improved solution: a sink cabinet with drawers
The ergonomics experts at Blum recommend outfitting cabinets under the sink with drawers as a simple solution for eliminating these disadvantages. This makes it possible to use the available storage space all the way up to the top of the cabinet and can be incorporated in both wide and narrow sink cabinets.
Planning for the pros
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The U-shaped drawer provides storage in the otherwise unused space around the sink.
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Cleaning supplies stay organized in the narrow sink cabinet thanks to the interior roll-out hidden behind the high-fronted drawer.
A sink cabinet with drawers can be created using standard components from the , and box systems.
Here are some of the benefits of incorporating drawers in the sink cabinet.
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From cleaning products to trash and recycling bins: when stored in drawers, everything is visible at a glance and easily accessible. Especially when a drawer organization system like AMBIA-LINE or ORGA-LINE separates the interior into individual areas.
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Drawers make use of the entire height of the storage space inside the sink cabinet. Instead of placing everything on the bottom shelf of the cabinet, it's now possible to store items across several accessible levels.
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Those who prefer a clean look in the kitchen will also find space for trash and recycle sorting here: bins are easily accessible but remain hidden behind the high drawer front.
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A U-shaped drawer turns the void around the sink into a whole new storage area. What is typically wasted space in a traditional sink cabinet with doors is now an ideal spot for cleaning supplies.
2 Options for a sink cabinet with drawers
The two examples below show how to create a sink cabinet with drawers in both wide and narrow versions.
1Wide sink cabinet with U-shaped drawer
If the cabinet is between 30 inches and 48 inches wide, this concept is recommended. The U-shaped drawer makes optimum use of the available space – everything is within easy reach, meaning there's no need to bend down. This solution is possible with every box and runner system from Blum.
Frequently used items are ideal for storing in the U-shaped drawer. Dishwasher tablets, sponges and dish washing liquid are neatly stowed away instead of cluttering the countertop.
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The large drawer at floor level serves multiple functions: there's a trash can and recycling bins on one side, while the remaining area is perfect for storing bottled cleaning products.
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Spare sponges, dishcloths, tea towels and trash bags are neatly organized in the interior roll-out drawer.
Combined, the three levels of drawers provide plenty of usable storage and ensure that no valuable space is wasted.
2Narrow sink cabinet with hidden storage space
Small kitchens are often designed with narrow cabinets 18 inches to 30 inches wide, while others have sinks that are the same width as the cabinet. The combination of a high-fronted bottom drawer and an interior roll-out drawer above it makes it possible to maximize the storage space in these smaller cabinets.
Even with a narrow sink cabinet, the user still has easy access to trash and recycling bins and cleaning products. No more rummaging in the cabinet for supplies.
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The inner roll-out drawer offers an organized space for quick access to sponges, dishcloths and trash bags.
Bonus: drawer accessories
Combining sink cabinet drawers with other Blum solutions gives the sink cabinet the finishing touch and unbeatable functionality.
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Kitchen users often stand at the sink cabinet with their hands full or wet. With SERVO-DRIVE or TIP-ON BLUMOTION from Blum, briefly touching the cabinet front with a hip, knee or foot is all it takes to open the drawer.
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Drawer organization systems such as AMBIA-LINE and ORGA-LINE provide even more order and clarity so that every bottle and sponge has its place. Dividers also keep items from shifting when the drawer opens and closes.
Sink cabinets with drawers at a glance
A sink cabinet with drawers offers optimal storage – the entire cabinet space is used, even the often-wasted space at the top of the cabinet. Items stored in the drawers are easy to see and access instead of getting lost in a traditional sink cabinet.
A drawer with a high front and an additional inner roll-out drawer hidden behind the front maximize the storage space in wide and narrow sink cabinets.
In wide sink cabinets (cabinets between 30 inches and 48 inches wide), an additional U-shaped drawer around the sink opens up new storage space.
When combined with an opening support system from Blum – whether electrical or mechanical – a simple touch opens the drawers.
Incorporating an organization system in the drawers provides additional order and visibility.
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