The ergonomic kitchen: what you should consider
Jan 2026Wall cabinets with lift systems provide full freedom of movement as fronts move up and out of the user's way
Base cabinets with drawers allow complete visibility of cabinet contents, even items stored near the back
Motion technology and opening support systems make opening cabinets a seamless experience
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Extensive observations and studies by the Blum requirements research team show that in many households kitchen users often find themselves in uncomfortable positions when working in the kitchen. Anyone who has ever had to get down on their hands and knees to find a pot from the back of a base cabinet or stand on tiptoes to reach higher storage knows that the problem is poor ergonomics.
These problems can be avoided during the planning stage with careful discussions between the customer and designer. Basing kitchen planning on ergonomics brings numerous advantages:
Ensuring good ergonomics minimizes the risk of injuries and physical strains that come with a poorly designed kitchen—for example, cabinets with doors and fixed shelves instead of drawers, or very high, inaccessible storage.
Processes become faster and more efficient when all cabinets and kitchen equipment are designed with short distances and easy accessibility in mind.
Ergonomic kitchen cabinetry is the answer
Well-thought-out solutions should be introduced early on in the planning stage to ensure smooth processes and comfortable movements during everyday activities in the kitchen:
Wall cabinets with lift systems provide full freedom of movement as fronts move up and out of the user's way.
Base cabinets with drawers ensure easy access and a clear view of the cabinet contents.
Motion support systems promote seamless workflows.
1Wall cabinets outfitted with lift systems
Problem: Doors getting in the way
In many households, dishes are stored in a wall cabinet with hinged doors. Wall units featuring fronts with lift systems rather than hinged doors are a more ergonomic solution.
A direct comparison shows that doors project into the room and get in the way of the user, who has to navigate around them. They are especially inconvenient when two people are working in the kitchen at the same time. Lastly, bumping heads on open wall cabinet doors poses a risk for injury and is a source of frustration for many people.
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Solution: Unrestricted freedom of movement
Wall cabinet fronts that open upwards solve all these issues:
They guarantee unrestricted access and optimum visibility of cabinet contents.
The wall cabinet front can stay open during cooking or when emptying the dishwasher without it getting in the way.
The items behind the fronts are protected from dirt and grease unlike open shelving
Thanks to the motion support system, wall cabinet fronts close softly and effortlessly. With our optional electrical support SERVO-DRIVE, fronts can even close at the touch of a button.
2Base cabinets with drawers
Problem: Cluttered cabinets
Base cabinets with doors and shelves are still a popular cabinet choice in homes today. However, items make their way to the back of the cabinet over time and are forgotten about, causing cabinet users to search for them on hands and knees when they are finally needed. This puts a strain on the back and knees. If the kitchen user already has restricted mobility due to age or poor health, using these types of cabinets can often prove very difficult.
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Notice the difference in usability between the two types of base cabinets. Shelves make it difficult to see the cabinet contents whereas drawers bring the items out to you.
Solution: Tidy and easily accessible
Base cabinets with drawers make more ergonomic sense. In fact, this applies not only to kitchen cabinets, but to other cabinets throughout the home as well:
The contents of a drawer are fully visible from above, which eliminates the need to kneel and rummage for items that have made their way to the back of the cabinet.
Organization systems such as or from Blum bring additional order to the drawer—everything has its place and doesn't shift around when the drawer is opened.
Drawers make sense as they are available in a variety of depths to accommodate everything from deep kitchen cabinets to shallower bathroom cabinets to deliver maximum storage space.
3Motion and opening support systems
Problem: Bending to reach handles
Even before you reach for anything inside a base cabinet, your body is already put into an awkward position. Opening or closing a base cabinet with a traditional handle requires you to lean and bend forward just to grasp the handle. That repeated forward bend—often combined with twisting or reaching—adds unnecessary strain to the lower back, shoulders and knees. Over time, this small but constant movement contributes to discomfort and fatigue, especially in kitchens where base cabinets are used often.
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Solution: Easy opening, soft closing
With motion and opening support systems, cabinets (regardless of the handle design) can be opened as if by magic with just a light touch on the front with the hand, knee or foot. This is particularly useful in the kitchen, where the user often stands at the sink with wet or full hands and wants to access the trash cabinet.
A variety of motion technology options are available to suit any need:
BLUMOTION is a soft-close system that closes wall cabinet fronts, drawers and doors softly and effortlessly.
SERVO-DRIVE is a low voltage electric solution that opens drawers and doors with a light touch on the front. The soft-close mechanism is integrated to ensure that everything closes smoothly.
TIP-ON BLUMOTION is the mechanical push-to-open option. Drawers open with a light push and close again with soft-close BLUMOTION.
TIP-ON is the multitalented solution for handleless cabinet fronts. Doors open with a single touch, giving users easy access to the opening edge of fronts. To close, press shut. This technology works for pocket systems, wall cabinet fronts and doors.
Ergonomics throughout the home
The solutions shown here aren't just for the kitchen; they also make everyday tasks easier in other areas of the home:
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Drawers in the closet—especially drawers with an organization system—ensure that small items such as socks and underwear are kept neat and tidy. Thanks to a special folding technique, shirts and sweaters can also be stored in a drawer while staying easily accessible.
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Drawers are the first choice when it comes to storing personal care items, cleaning products, first-aid supplies and accessories in a sink cabinet or a dedicated storage unit—like the SPACE TOWER from Blum.
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Toys, craft supplies and clothes can be stored in drawers as well. Everything has its place, and children can easily see the full contents of the drawer to choose their clothes for the day in the morning and help tidy up in the evening.
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Drawers are also ideal for older children and teenagers, for example in chests of drawers or under the bed. They can be used to store jewelry, stationery and electronic devices. High drawer backs and closed side panels prevent small items from falling out and disappearing inside the cabinet.
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At a glance: ergonomic cabinetry
When planning a new kitchen or any other living space, consider ergonomics from the very beginning. Thoughtfully planned cabinets make everyday tasks easier and more efficient while helping reduce physical strain.
Wall cabinet fronts with lift systems guarantee freedom of movement as the fronts move up and out of the way.
Base cabinets with drawers ensure full visibility and easy access. The user can see all stored items at a glance and effortlessly remove them.
Thanks to motion technologies and opening support systems, drawers open automatically with a light touch.
Applying these principles also creates ergonomic cabinets in other rooms, such as the bedroom or bathroom.
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