What Are the Parts of a Drawer Called? A Helpful Guide for Homeowners and DIYers
When you begin repairing cabinetry, upgrading storage, or ordering new drawer boxes, it helps to understand the basic parts of a drawer. Each component plays an important role in how the drawer functions, how long it lasts, and how smoothly it opens and closes. At DC Drawers, we believe that knowing these terms helps homeowners make stronger and more confident choices, especially when selecting high quality replacement drawers.
Below is a simple guide to the essential parts of a drawer and what each one does.
Drawer Front
The drawer front is the visible face of the drawer, the part you see when the drawer is closed. It is usually decorative and designed to match your overall cabinetry style, whether modern, traditional, or fully custom. Drawer fronts can be attached directly to the drawer box or mounted separately as a false front to create a clean, seamless exterior appearance.
Drawer Box
The drawer box is the structural body of the drawer. It is typically built from solid wood, plywood, or other strong engineered materials. The box includes four main sides:
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Front Panel , Connects to the drawer front and supports the pull or knob
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Back Panel , Provides rigidity at the rear of the box
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Side Panels , The long sides that engage with the drawer slides and guide the motion
Strong construction, especially dovetail joinery, is the key to a drawer box that will hold weight and endure daily use for many years.
Drawer Bottom
The bottom panel, sometimes called the floor, sits inside the drawer box and carries the contents. It may be made from plywood, hardboard, or other durable sheet materials. The bottom normally fits into grooves cut into the drawer sides so it stays secure and resists sagging.
Drawer Slides
Drawer slides, also known as runners, are the hardware pieces that allow the drawer to glide open and closed. Common styles include:
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Side Mount Slides
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Undermount Soft Close Slides
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Center Mount Slides
High quality slides provide smooth travel, quiet operation, and excellent stability. DC Drawers often pairs drawer boxes with premium soft close slides to deliver a superior user experience.
Drawer Pulls and Knobs
These are the handles used to open the drawer. Pulls, knobs, and cup handles come in many shapes and finishes and contribute both function and style.
Why Knowing Drawer Parts Matters
Understanding these parts helps you diagnose issues, order replacement components, and communicate clearly during a cabinetry project. At DC Drawers, we specialize in strong and beautifully crafted drawer boxes built to fit any kitchen, bathroom, office, or storage design.
Knowing how each part works helps you choose drawers that look great, function smoothly, and stand the test of time.
Thank you for reading “Kitchen Cabinet Parts Terminology“! Stay tuned for more from the expert drawer box manufacturers at DCDrawers.com
