Storage enhancements for frameless kitchen cabinets

4 years ago

I recently moved into a new condo building where all units were built out with frameless kitchen cabinets. I'm trying to understand whether there are some simple storage enhancements I could add to make better use of the space. Given that these are Euro-style cabinets using what looks like 32mm hardware, I'm wondering if there are specific "systems" I should be looking for that might make for drop-in installation.

I don't believe the cabinets were made by any of the deluxe European brands like Poggenpohl, and I suspect they might have been built to spec for the building. Door fronts are generally widths of 15" and 18", with panels all about 7/8". I don't have a metric tape handy but aside from the panel thickness these seem to be non-metric sizes. The frameless stuff is somewhat new to me so I don't really know if there are specific patterns in the sizes to look for.

In terms of what I'm looking for, I'd like to add things like pull-out drawers or baskets for pantry storage, particularly on the base cabinets. The bases are mostly shelving (with shelves supported by movable pins) and there's a lot of interior volume that's hard to access without getting on your knees and groping in the darkness. I'm extremely proficient with a drill, screwdriver, level, and tape, and don't mind spending a little more for Häfele or other quality manufacturer.

Any pointers towards more specific resources greatly appreciated!

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Comments (5)

jdesign_gw
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
It's highly unlikely anyone here is building to metric sizes(I do a lot but its not common.) It's also not as simple as just a tape and a screw driver. There are dozens of interior fittings on the market. A lot will work on US sized cabinets. It's the interior width that matters. Too many options for me to be specific. For example an interior roll out drawer can be a fixed size already assembled or one that has sides and slides and you supply our own back and bottom which you size to the particular opening. One thing to remember with pull outs is you also have to change the hinge to 0-protrusion or use spacer blocks to clear the door. Hafele has a lot of stuff but they don't carry Blum. I buy from them and several others. Just installed a "LeMans" corner unit yesterday from Kessebohmer that Hafele sells. Directions are really confusing first time around but I've done a lot of them and could explain it in four simple steps. All that German stuff is not user friendly. Once you finally figure it all out you say " why didn't you just tell me that".
Aglitter
4 years ago
@jdesign_gw I am about to order cabinets with one of them designed to hold a LeMans II corner unit and wonder if you know offhand if the minimum clearances specified by the manufacturer are indeed accurate? I'm adding an extra 1/4" to the required minimum opening space for tolerance, but if it's off more than that, there will be trouble. I appreciate your reminder that it's actually clearance from the interior side of the opened door that counts, not from the cabinet box-to-box opening edges.

To the original poster, check out Blum Legrabox accessories. They're well-designed. As to other brands, be careful of any accessories that require you to mount the door itself to them, as the metal units can warp over time and misalign your doors. Simple lazy susan turntables might work well for some of your adjustable shelving. You can find large ones to take up most of the cabinet depth.
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Frameless cabs have better accessibility, and in general more space, especially in drawers. I say "in general" because available space differs among cabinet lines. Take your tape measure with you when you look and measure the space in the drawers of different brands you are considering. Keep in mind, there are good quality and bad quality of both framed and frameless. Don't let anyone tell you that fameless are inherently bad (especially someone who doesn't sell frameless). My old kitchen (which I tore out) had frameless cabs, not the highest end either, and they lasted about 25+ years (based on the style & color which is what was in style in the late 70s/early 80s). Probably could have lasted longer, except they were awful style and I hated the layout. Whichever one you go with, make sure your installer is experienced. If the installer grumbles about frameless being hard to install, get someone else. No one has perfectly straight walls, yet frameless cabs are installed properly every day. Styles of frameless cabinets are not exclusively (or even mostly) contemporary. Contemporary cabs are usually frameless, but the opposite is not true. I have traditional style doors in frameless, and it doesn't look a bit contemporary. In either framed or frameless, beware the center stile. I've seen it in both kinds, and it severely limits access. There is a width limit over which a center stile is needed, something like 33 or 36 inches, but smaller than that, it is not needed and IMHO unacceptable. Do get lots of quotes for comparison purposes. I shopped around with a particular version of my layout so that I could compare prices. My layout changed over time but using the same layout at different places gave me a good feel for their pricing. Don't rule out local custom builders. I thought they would be out of my price range but they came in at all price ranges, just as the stock companies did. I compiled a list of framed & frameless manufacturers back when I was looking, so that I could see which ones were available in my area. This list is now over four years old so it probably could use some updating but you can check the websites for information on manufacturers. Good luck in your search! Here is a link that might be useful: framed & frameless mfgs
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jdesign_gw
4 years ago
Yes an extra 1/4" should be ok. I had one that was a 1/4" under once and made it work by changing the hinges to 0- protrusion so when they give you the minimum it's good to have a little more. As far as "legrabox " insets besides being pricy they are really made for that drawer system size wise and some have magnets internally that hold them in place to the metal sides.
chicagoans
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Did you check Rev-a-Shelf? You can search by category (like base cabinets) , by finish, and also by size which might help. You could call them if you're not sure about sizing/fitting or if you can't find what you're looking for.
artistsharonva
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Agree check with Rev - a- shelf

https://www.rev-a-shelf.com/

when looking for mechanism inserts for cabinets, measure the opening between face frame & the hinge so it will clear. Also the height. A lot of cabinet pullout mechanisms need a full door heigth with no drawer cabinet.

Pullouts are great to consider for base cabinets with drawers.

Storage enhancements for frameless kitchen cabinets

Comments (5)

jdesign_gw

Aglitter

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