Shelving units with drawers are worth considering because drawers handle the small, loose items that neither open shelves nor cupboards manage well. Remote controls, cables, stationery, candles, batteries, coasters and photographs all have a clear home, and you can see everything at a glance when the drawer opens. Meanwhile, the shelves above stay free for books and objects you actually want on display. The result is a single piece of furniture that keeps a room both organised and attractive.
It is a format that suits busy households and smaller homes alike. You will find several drawer based designs within our range of modern shelving units UK sale, and the sections below explain how they compare with other storage, where they work and what to check before you choose.
Each type of storage has a natural role, and understanding them makes it easier to see why drawers are useful.
A shelving unit that includes drawers gives you two of these three in one footprint, which is often all a room needs. In the living room, it can replace a separate side cabinet or console, and you can see how it fits alongside other storage pieces across our living room furniture UK range.
Drawers are the natural home for the miscellany of modern life. Chargers and cables, spare keys, pens, notebooks, takeaway menus and instruction manuals can all be sorted into a drawer and found again quickly.
With small clutter tucked away, the shelves above can remain tidy. That makes the whole room feel calmer, even if you do not have time for constant styling.
Unlike a deep cupboard, a drawer brings its contents to you. That is particularly helpful for anyone who finds bending and reaching into the back of a low cupboard awkward.
Drawers are usually placed at the base of a unit, which adds weight low down and helps stability. A wall fixing is still essential for tall units, but the lower centre of gravity is a welcome bonus.
Next to the sofa or beneath the television, drawers can hold remote controls, gaming accessories, coasters and candles. The shelves above can display books, photographs and plants.
Drawers are a natural fit for cutlery, napkins, place mats and table linen, while open shelves hold glassware or serving dishes. In this role, a shelving unit with drawers can do much of the work of a sideboard while taking up less floor space.
In a smaller bedroom, a shelving unit with drawers can act as a combined bookcase and chest, holding folded clothes or accessories below and books or a few decorative pieces above. If drawer storage is your main need, our modern chest of drawers UK sale collection offers deeper and more numerous drawers.
Stationery, chargers, notebooks and documents are all suited to drawers, keeping the desk clear. Open shelves then hold reference books and files.
A slim unit with shallow drawers can hold keys, gloves, dog leads and post, with a shelf above for a small plant or a bowl.
Shallow drawers suit small items such as stationery and cutlery. Deeper drawers handle folded textiles, games and larger accessories. Some units offer a mixture, which gives the most flexibility.
The quality of the runners makes a real difference to how a drawer feels. Metal runners, particularly ball bearing designs, glide smoothly and cope well with heavier loads. Soft close runners prevent drawers slamming and reduce wear over time.
Full extension runners let the drawer come out completely, so you can reach the back easily. Partial extension runners are common on more compact designs and are perfectly adequate for lighter use.
Handles affect both look and usability. Bar handles and knobs are easy to grip, cut out handles keep a clean line, and push to open mechanisms create a handleless look. Consider who will use the unit: young children and older relatives may find small knobs or push latches harder to manage.
Look at how the drawer box is made. Solid drawer bottoms and well joined corners will last far longer than thin backing board. If you can, check that the drawer front is aligned neatly with the rest of the unit and that the drawer runs straight without catching.
The balance between drawers and shelves changes how a unit feels. A single row of drawers at the base keeps the piece light and display led. Two or three rows make it feel more like a storage cabinet with shelves above. Think about what you will store and how much you want on show.
Placement matters too. Drawers need clearance to open fully, so allow enough space in front of the unit, particularly in a narrow room or hallway. Keep in mind any furniture that might sit in front, such as a footstool or coffee table, and check that it will not obstruct the drawers.
A low shelving unit with drawers can also serve as a sideboard, a media unit or a hallway console. If that is the role you have in mind, browse our modern sideboards UK to compare widths and drawer arrangements.
Drawers are only as useful as their organisation. A few simple ideas help:
If you are deciding between a dedicated chest and a combined shelving unit, our guide to chests of drawers explained for UK homes outlines how different drawer formats suit different routines.
Because the drawers handle the clutter, the open shelves can be styled with restraint. Leave some breathing space, mix books with a few larger pieces and repeat a colour or material from the drawer fronts. A lamp on the top surface of a low unit adds warmth and makes the display visible in the evening.
If the drawer fronts are a contrasting finish, such as painted drawers beneath natural wood shelves, echo that contrast with one or two objects on the shelves so the unit reads as a single, considered piece.
Natural wood brings warmth and suits most rooms. White and pale finishes keep small spaces bright. High gloss and lacquered drawer fronts give a sleek, contemporary look and are easy to wipe clean. Metal frames with wooden drawers suit industrial and loft style interiors. Choose a finish that relates to the other storage furniture in the room, so the unit sits comfortably alongside it.
Drawers bring particular benefits in family homes. Toys with small parts, craft supplies and puzzles are easier to keep together in a drawer than on a shelf, and children can learn to put things away in a clearly defined place. At the same time, drawers need some thought. Young children may use open drawers as steps, which is one more reason to fix every tall unit firmly to the wall. Drawer stops, which prevent a drawer being pulled right out, and soft closing runners, which protect small fingers, are both worth looking for.
For anything that should stay out of reach, such as medicines, batteries or sharp tools, use a higher drawer or a separate locked cabinet rather than a low drawer.
A shelving unit with drawers rarely draws attention to itself, but it changes how a room works day to day. Small things have a home, the shelves stay tidy and the room feels more relaxed. For many homes, it is the piece that makes everything else easier.
You can browse our complete collection of modern furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Drawers are better for small and medium items that need sorting, while cupboards suit larger things such as games, files or equipment. Some units offer both.
A low, wide design can. Drawers hold cutlery and linen, and the top surface works as a serving or display area. Taller designs are better suited to living rooms and bedrooms.
Metal ball bearing runners are smooth and durable. Soft close and full extension runners add convenience, especially for drawers that are used every day.
Tall units do. Even with drawers adding weight at the base, an anti tip fixing should always be used, as an open drawer can shift the balance of the unit.
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