Product Guide9 min read

IKEA Kitchen Drawer Front Sizes and Configurations Explained

Kitchen Fitters Team·August 27, 2025

Why Drawer Front Sizing Matters

Drawer fronts are one of the most visible elements of your kitchen design, yet they're also one of the most confusing aspects of planning an IKEA SEKTION kitchen. Unlike cabinet doors, which are relatively straightforward, drawer fronts come in multiple heights that must be combined correctly to fill a base cabinet opening.

Get the combination wrong, and you'll have gaps, overlaps, or fronts that don't align with adjacent cabinets. Get it right, and your kitchen will have a clean, intentional look that rivals custom cabinetry.

This guide breaks down every drawer front size, how they combine, and which configurations work best for different storage needs.

Understanding the SEKTION Drawer System

Before diving into front sizes, it helps to understand how drawers work in the SEKTION system:

The cabinet frame provides the structure — a standard 30" tall base cabinet
Drawer runners (either MAXIMERA or UTRUSTA) mount inside the cabinet
Drawer boxes (the actual containers that hold items) attach to the runners
Drawer fronts attach to the front of each drawer box, creating the visible face

The drawer fronts are ordered separately from the drawer boxes and runners. You choose them in your preferred door style (BODBYN, AXSTAD, LERHYTTAN, etc.) and in specific sizes that correspond to the drawer box heights.

Drawer Front Heights

IKEA SEKTION drawer fronts come in five standard heights:

5" (Low/Small)

The narrowest front, designed for thin, shallow drawers
Ideal for utensil drawers, cutlery trays, and spice drawers
Works with MAXIMERA low drawer boxes
Creates a slim, elegant look in a drawer stack

10" (Medium)

The most versatile and commonly used height
Perfect for general-purpose storage — cooking utensils, towels, food storage containers
Works with MAXIMERA medium drawer boxes
A stack of three 10" fronts fills a base cabinet perfectly

15" (Medium-Tall)

A mid-size option that provides deeper storage
Good for mixing bowls, small appliances, and deeper pots
Less commonly used than 5" and 10" but valuable for specific configurations

20" (Tall)

A large drawer front for substantial storage
Excellent for pots and pans, bakeware, and heavy items
Works with MAXIMERA high drawer boxes
Common in configurations that pair one tall drawer with smaller drawers above

30" (Full Height)

Covers the entire base cabinet face like a door, but functions as a single large drawer
Used for deep pull-out storage, waste sorting, or extra-large drawer applications
Less common in practice because such large drawers are heavy when loaded

Drawer Front Widths

Drawer front widths match the base cabinet widths:

| Cabinet Width | Drawer Front Width |

|--------------|-------------------|

| 12" | 12" |

| 15" | 15" |

| 18" | 18" |

| 21" | 21" |

| 24" | 24" |

| 30" | 30" |

| 36" | 36" |

Important: The drawer front width listed by IKEA corresponds to the cabinet width, not the exact measurement of the front itself. The actual front panel is slightly narrower to allow for gap clearance between adjacent cabinets.

Standard Drawer Front Configurations

Here's where it gets practical. A standard SEKTION base cabinet is 30" tall (without legs), and the drawer fronts must combine to fill that height with appropriate gaps. Here are the most popular configurations:

Configuration 1: Three Equal Drawers (10" + 10" + 10")

This is the most common and balanced configuration:

Three 10" drawer fronts stacked vertically
Each drawer provides moderate depth storage
Clean, symmetrical appearance
Versatile for any kitchen storage needs
The go-to choice for general-purpose base cabinets

Configuration 2: Two Small, One Large (5" + 5" + 20")

A popular configuration for cooking zones:

Two shallow 5" drawers on top for utensils and small tools
One deep 20" drawer on the bottom for pots, pans, or heavy items
Allows quick access to frequently used small items while storing bulky items below

Configuration 3: One Small, Two Medium (5" + 10" + 15")

A graduated approach that provides three distinct storage zones:

5" top drawer for flatware or spices
10" middle drawer for general cooking tools
15" bottom drawer for deeper items
Creates a visually interesting staggered front

Configuration 4: Two Drawers (10" + 20")

A streamlined two-drawer stack:

10" upper drawer for everyday items
20" lower drawer for deep storage
Simpler look with fewer horizontal lines
Works well adjacent to single-door base cabinets for visual variety

Configuration 5: One Small, One Large (5" + 25" or similar)

Used for specialty storage applications:

Very shallow top drawer for flat items
Very deep bottom drawer for bulky storage
Less common but useful near ranges or prep areas

How Drawer Fronts Align with Adjacent Cabinets

One of the most important aesthetic considerations is how your drawer fronts align horizontally with adjacent cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Here's how to achieve a professional look:

The Alignment Rule

The horizontal lines created by drawer front divisions should align across the full width of your cabinet run wherever possible. This means:

If two adjacent cabinets both have three-drawer configurations (10" + 10" + 10"), the horizontal gaps between fronts will line up perfectly
If one cabinet has a two-drawer configuration and the neighbor has three drawers, the lines won't match — which is acceptable but less visually cohesive
Consistency within visual zones is key: keep all base cabinets in the same run using the same drawer front configuration when practical

When Alignment Breaks

Some situations naturally break drawer front alignment:

Sink cabinets — These typically have one or two false drawer fronts at the top and a door below; the false front should align with the top drawer of adjacent cabinets
Appliance cabinets — Dishwashers, panel-ready fridges, and other appliances create their own visual rhythm
Corner cabinets — Corner units have their own door configuration that won't match drawer stacks

In these cases, use consistent top-line alignment — make sure the very top drawer front aligns horizontally across all cabinets, even if lower elements differ.

Drawer Fronts for Islands

Kitchen islands are increasingly popular in Mid-Atlantic homes, from spacious Maryland suburbs to renovated Delaware farmhouses. Island drawer fronts deserve special attention:

Accessibility from both sides is sometimes desired — consider back-to-back cabinets with drawers facing the cooking side
Drawer fronts on the dining side can be decorative false fronts (fixed panels that look like drawers but don't open)
Mix drawer and door fronts to create visual interest on longer island configurations

Ordering Drawer Fronts

Step-by-Step Process

Determine your cabinet widths — Each drawer front must match its cabinet width
Choose your configuration — Decide which height combination works for each cabinet
Select your door style — Drawer fronts come in the same style options as doors (BODBYN, AXSTAD, etc.)
Order fronts separately from drawer boxes — The front is a cosmetic piece; the drawer box and runners are functional pieces
Don't forget handles or knobs — Each drawer front needs hardware unless you're using a push-to-open system

Common Ordering Mistakes

Wrong height combination — The heights must add up correctly including gaps; use IKEA's planner to verify
Mixing up door and drawer front sizes — Doors and drawer fronts are listed separately in IKEA's catalog
Forgetting false fronts — Sink cabinets need false drawer fronts that don't actually open
Not ordering matching cover panels — If your cabinet ends are visible (like on an island), you'll need cover panels in the same style as your drawer fronts

False Drawer Fronts

What They Are

False drawer fronts are fixed panels that look like drawer fronts but don't open. They're attached directly to the cabinet frame rather than to a functional drawer box.

Where They're Used

Above sink cabinets — The space above the sink (where you can't install a real drawer because of the basin) gets a false front to maintain the visual line
Below cooktops — If the space below a cooktop is too shallow for a real drawer
Decorative purposes — On island ends or cabinet sides visible from other rooms

Installation

False fronts attach with screws from inside the cabinet, or with small brackets. They should sit at the same height and with the same gaps as the real drawer fronts in adjacent cabinets.

Drawer Fronts and Kitchen Style

Your drawer front configuration contributes to the overall style of your kitchen:

For a Modern Look (AXSTAD, VOXTORP)

Use uniform three-drawer stacks (10" + 10" + 10") for clean horizontal lines
Keep drawer front heights consistent across all base cabinets
Minimize visual variety — uniformity reads as modern
Consider handleless configurations for maximum sleekness

For a Traditional Look (BODBYN, LERHYTTAN)

Mix configurations across the kitchen for a more furniture-like feel
Use the 5" + 5" + 20" configuration near the range for a traditional kitchen aesthetic
Pair with cup pulls on drawers and knobs on doors
False drawer fronts with decorative knobs add period-appropriate charm

For a Transitional Look

Choose one or two configurations and use them consistently
10" + 10" + 10" or 5" + 10" + 15" both work well
Slim bar pulls in brushed nickel or brass bridge modern and traditional

Let Kitchen Fitters Perfect Your Drawer Layout

Planning drawer front configurations involves balancing aesthetics, function, and alignment across your entire kitchen. Kitchen Fitters brings years of IKEA kitchen experience to every project across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and the DC area. We'll help you choose the perfect drawer front combinations and install them with precision alignment. Contact us for a free consultation.