Kitchen drawer guide
Kitchen Drawer Height Guide — H90, H122 and H186 Explained
What each standard drawer height is for, how inset and glass-sided drawers fit, and how to plan a stack in one cabinet.
The short answer
A kitchen drawer height should be matched to what the drawer holds. In Mirano's range, H90 suits cutlery and spices, H122 suits utensils and mid-depth storage, and H186 suits pots, pans and pantry items. Inset versions sit flush for handleless kitchens, and Crystal Plus adds a glass side to H186.
Most drawer problems are decided before the hardware arrives. A pot drawer built too shallow, or a cutlery drawer built too deep, shows up on the first day of use and cannot be fixed without rebuilding the drawer box.
This guide explains the three standard drawer heights in Mirano's range, H90, H122 and H186, what each is for, how inset and glass-sided drawers fit in, and how to plan a stack of drawers in one cabinet.
The range
The three standard drawer heights
| Drawer | Best for | Typical cabinet |
|---|---|---|
| H90 | Cutlery, spices, shallow everyday items | Top drawer, sink-base top row |
| H122 | Utensils, packaged goods, mid-depth storage | Mid-height base cabinet drawers |
| H186 | Pots, pans, pantry items, bulk storage | Base pantry units, tall pull-outs |
Variants
Rectangular railing, Crystal Plus and inset versions
- H90 with rectangular railing: Adds a railing frame for internal rigidity and a defined edge, for wire baskets and organiser inserts.
- Crystal Plus H186: H186 height with a tempered-glass side panel, for showcase pantry drawers and design-forward islands.
- Inset drawers: Inset H90, H90 with railing, H122, H186 and Crystal Plus H186 sit flush inside the frame for handleless, true-linear kitchens.
The full range is nine configurations on Grass Dynapro concealed slides, with full extension, integrated soft-close damping and 3D front adjustment (height, side and tilt). Details are on the drawer systems page.
Planning
How to plan a drawer stack
A well-planned base cabinet mixes heights. The shallow drawer goes on top where cutlery and tools are reached all day, the deep drawer goes at the bottom for the heaviest items, and the middle drawer takes the rest.
Plan the front heights first so the gaps line up across the run, then confirm that the drawer boxes and runners fit the carcass depth and the internal clearance in the datasheet.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | List what each drawer will hold |
| 2 | Assign H90, H122 or H186 from the table |
| 3 | Choose standard or inset based on the front style |
| 4 | Check carcass depth and internal clearance against the datasheet |
| 5 | Fix the stack height and align front gaps across the run |
Selection
Standard or inset, and when to choose glass
Choose standard drawers for most modular kitchen layouts. Choose inset where the elevation is handleless and flush, and where sightlines and reveal gaps matter as much as function. Choose a glass-sided Crystal Plus where the drawer is meant to be seen, such as a pantry or an island.
If the kitchen is built around a gola or G profile, see the handleless kitchen options guide. For the construction difference between drawer types, read tandem box vs telescopic channel.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard height of a kitchen drawer?
There is no single standard. Drawer systems are made in several side heights, and the right one depends on what the drawer holds. Mirano's range uses three: H90 for shallow items, H122 for everyday base drawers and H186 for pots, pans and bulk storage.
What do H90, H122 and H186 mean?
They are the height designations of the drawer system in Mirano's range, with H90 the shallowest and H186 the tallest standard profile. Confirm the exact side height and internal clearance on the datasheet for the model you specify.
Which drawer height should I use for cutlery?
H90 is the usual choice for cutlery, spices and shallow everyday items, and it suits the top drawer or the top row of a sink base.
Which drawer height is best for pots and pans?
H186. It is the tallest standard profile, with reinforced sides and higher-load runners, for pots, pans and deep pantry storage.
Can I use different drawer heights in one cabinet?
Yes, and most good kitchens do. A common stack is a shallow top drawer, a medium drawer below it and a deep drawer at the bottom, planned so the fronts line up.
What is the difference between a standard drawer and an inset drawer?
Standard drawers overlay the cabinet frame and suit most layouts. Inset drawers sit flush inside the frame for a handleless, minimalist elevation, where reveal gaps and sightlines matter.
What is a Crystal Plus drawer?
Mirano's Crystal Plus is an H186 drawer paired with a tempered-glass side panel for a premium, show-pantry look. It is available as a standard and an inset version.
Do all Mirano drawers have soft close?
Mirano's drawer range is built on Grass Dynapro concealed slides with integrated soft-close damping and full extension. Check the model datasheet for the exact configuration you are ordering.
How do I choose the height before the carcass is made?
List what each drawer will hold, assign the height from the table, then confirm the internal clearance and the stack height of the cabinet with the datasheet before cutting.
Specify with confidence
Specify the right drawer system
Share your drawer list and front style, and our team will recommend heights and runners.