The SPACE STEP plinth solution − a hidden accessory

7 minutes

Hoechst, Austria

The fate of seldom-used items and kitchen utensils is clear. They almost always end up in wall cabinets where users can hardly reach them. And when they are needed, even tall people will resort to a step stool − just to make sure they can see and find what they are looking for.

SPACE STEP delivers multiple benefits to furniture plinths. The plinth solution by Blum glides out of the cabinet at a single touch, can be used as a step and creates extra storage space − in kitchens and living areas throughout the home. Plinth drawers can come in very handy in all sorts of scenarios as demonstrated by Kristina, Barbara, Ingeborg and Günther in their homes.

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Kristina

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Barbara

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Ingeborg and Günther

How to grow taller fast

2-year-old Luisa is sitting on the small “stool” in the hallway, putting on her rubber boots. Mummy Kristina is waiting with baby Samuel in her arms who is bundled up and ready to go. The three of them want to go out for a walk. Luisa gets up, gives the drawer a gentle push and watches how it disappears into the plinth. Off they go. “Luisa likes to sit on the step to put on her shoes. And it makes it easier for me to store away things in the cupboard above or see exactly what we’ve got up there − for instance, winter scarves and gloves,” says the 34-year-old. The plinth drawer with a built-in “step ladder” can be incorporated in plinths that are 15 to 25 cm high.

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"Luisa can stand on the plinth drawer when she wants to help me with the cooking. I’m glad she’s safe and don’t have to worry about her falling off a wobbly stool."
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Easy access to wall cabinets

The plinth drawers make Kristina taller and allow her to access the wall cabinets with ease. In addition, they provide additional storage underneath the surface of the drawer. Kristina’s family has already installed nine SPACE STEP units in their kitchen and hallway. “I use the plinth drawer storage to keep items that I seldom use and yet need to have quickly to hand,” confides the Austrian mum-of-two before they “embark on their expedition”.

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Easy access to wall cabinets

The plinth drawers make Kristina taller and allow her to access the wall cabinets with ease. In addition, they provide additional storage underneath the surface of the drawer. Kristina’s family has already installed nine SPACE STEP units in their kitchen and hallway. “I use the plinth drawer storage to keep items that I seldom use and yet need to have quickly to hand,” confides the Austrian mum-of-two before they “embark on their expedition”.

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Not an inch wasted

“As soon as I saw the plinth drawer I wanted to have it,” says Barbara from Dornbirn, thinking back to when she first experienced Blum’s SPACE STEP. That was in 2017 when the product was first presented at a trade show. When the 38-year-old moved into a new flat she originally wanted a kitchen island in the middle of her new kitchen. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t have an island because of the layout of our flat. So we opted for a classic row of kitchen units instead,” explains the young woman from Vorarlberg. “That’s why it was all the more important to me to use every inch of storage space available and even create extra space.”

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Not an inch wasted

“As soon as I saw the plinth drawer I wanted to have it,” says Barbara from Dornbirn, thinking back to when she first experienced Blum’s SPACE STEP. That was in 2017 when the product was first presented at a trade show. When the 38-year-old moved into a new flat she originally wanted a kitchen island in the middle of her new kitchen. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t have an island because of the layout of our flat. So we opted for a classic row of kitchen units instead,” explains the young woman from Vorarlberg. “That’s why it was all the more important to me to use every inch of storage space available and even create extra space.”

The sports enthusiast does a 7-minute workout every day at home. She even uses the plinth drawer for one of her exercises and has built in a set of “dips”. “It makes my workouts more interesting, although the plinth step probably wasn’t intended for exercising,” adds Barbara with a wink.

Extra storage within the plinth drawer

Barbara has solved two challenges with one solution by installing the plinth step with an integrated drawer. The kitchen has been fitted with cabinets that reach up to the ceiling. Although she’s 5 ft 5 inches (1.68 metres) tall, she wouldn’t have been able to reach the cupboards without a step stool. But thanks to SPACE STEP, she has easy access to all storage items. What’s more, the plinth drawer provides extra space for kitchen items where there would otherwise have been a void behind the plinth. Barbara’s cabinet maker incorporated the plinth drawer early on in the planning stage.

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Ergonomic and age friendly

When Ingeborg and Günther’s children moved out, they decided to downsize. “Thankfully, we’re still quite fit for our age,” says 78-year-old Günther. “But when we moved to our new flat we thought about the future and wanted all the furnishings to be suitable for our needs in old age,” he adds, explaining their thinking. The flat is in a central location, it is barrier-free and has an ergonomic design. “We moved from a house to a flat so it was important to me to lose as little storage space as possible,” chips in Ingeborg. The 689 sq. ft (64 sq. metre) flat has been fitted with cabinets that extend up to the ceiling.

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Ergonomic and age friendly

When Ingeborg and Günther’s children moved out, they decided to downsize. “Thankfully, we’re still quite fit for our age,” says 78-year-old Günther. “But when we moved to our new flat we thought about the future and wanted all the furnishings to be suitable for our needs in old age,” he adds, explaining their thinking. The flat is in a central location, it is barrier-free and has an ergonomic design. “We moved from a house to a flat so it was important to me to lose as little storage space as possible,” chips in Ingeborg. The 689 sq. ft (64 sq. metre) flat has been fitted with cabinets that extend up to the ceiling.

Electrical opening support system

Kitchen cabinets are used very often, so it is important that they are easy to open and close − with or without a handle. That is why Ingeborg and Günther had Blum’s electrical opening support system fitted into the AVENTOS lift systems and LEGRABOX pull-outs in their kitchen. “That might sound a bit luxurious, but it could make all the difference in a few years’ time. It’ll enable us to use our own kitchen when we grow old,” says forward-thinking Günther. The SERVO-DRIVE electrical and TIP-ON BLUMOTION mechanical opening support systems allow you to open pull-outs with your hip, knee or toe. A single touch suffices − no hands needed − no bending down.

What is more, the couple has had Blum’s plinth drawer fitted into the kitchen, bedroom and hallway. Ingeborg immediately took a liking to the step and pull-out rolled into one which creates extra storage space. “I’m not particularly tall and that’s why I’ve always had problems reaching the top shelf of wall cabinets. Not any more thanks to SPACE STEP,” says the 76-year-old with a smile. And the anti-slip surface makes the solution safe to use − even in old age.

All advantages at a glance

  • Can be implemented with all box and runner systems by Blum

  • Can be combined with an electrical or mechanical opening support system

  • Choice of different plinth options, easy planning

  • Plinth heights of 150 to 250 mm possible

  • Creates additional storage behind the plinth of cabinets

  • Plinth step provides easy access to wall cabinets

  • Activated by a weight of 8 kg, the anti-slip system securely locks SPACE STEP in position

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