Guides
3D-printed kitchen storage: measure before printing
A 3D-printed kitchen organiser is useful when it fits your objects, your drawer and the way you pick things up. Before choosing a model, measure two things separately: the space available for the organiser and the space needed inside it. Then check that the drawer closes, your fingers fit and the tray can be removed for cleaning.
Start with a task to make easier
Choose a specific problem: bag clips that are hard to find, closed jars that get in each other’s way, or spice packets that disappear at the back of a drawer. Empty the space concerned and put back the objects you actually use. A different location or an existing divider may already do the job.
Custom printing becomes worthwhile when the available options lack a dimension or layout you need. Describe the result you want: picking up a clip with one hand, reading a label, or removing a jar without moving its neighbours.
| What you want to store | Shape to consider | Action to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bag clips | Shallow tray or open compartments | Pick up the smallest clip without tipping out the tray |
| Closed jars | Compartments sized for their external dimensions | Remove the widest jar without trapping your fingers |
| Closed spice packets | A compartment that keeps them together | Read the names and remove one packet without emptying the rest |
Place the organiser where you will use its contents. The guide to organising your kitchen preparation helps identify the objects to keep within reach. Good storage should shorten the search, not become another recipe to follow.
Measure the available space, not just the drawer base
Measure the width and depth in several places, particularly near the back and the opening. Look for rounded corners, screw heads, runners and parts of the furniture that encroach on the space. Note the most restrictive dimension for your chosen position.
Next, check the available height when the drawer closes. You need to allow for the organiser and any contents projecting above it. A low tray will not stop a tall jar from hitting the cabinet above.
Also plan how to remove the whole organiser: will you be able to grip an edge, or will you need to take the objects out first? Avoid a fit that requires force to install or remove the tray. The clearance needed depends on the shape of the drawer and the part; no single value suits every project.
Distinguish external dimensions from compartment sizes
The external width tells you whether the organiser can fit in the drawer. The internal width tells you whether the objects can fit in the organiser. The walls and dividers take up space between the two.
Calculation example: a tray designed with an external width of 200 mm, two 2 mm walls and no divider has a nominal internal width of 196 mm: 200 − 2 × 2 = 196. This value describes the intended geometry, not a measurement of the object after manufacture.
To explore this distinction, LayerBench3D explains how to distinguish model dimensions from printed-part dimensions (guide in French). The guide helps explain why scaling up an entire file can alter areas that were already the right size.
Prepare a measurement sheet, for yourself or the person who will make the part:
- The maximum external space available inside the furniture.
- The dimensions of the objects to store, including lids, handles and flared shapes.
- The usable space wanted in each compartment, with room to grasp the objects.
- The total height limit with the organiser filled.
Check the volume with a cardboard mock-up
Draw the outline of the organiser on paper to check its placement. Add cardboard walls to examine the height and compartments, then put the objects inside. This mock-up can reveal a compartment that is too narrow or an edge that obstructs your hand before you start a full print.
Try the actual movements: taking a clip, lifting a jar, putting back a packet and removing the tray. Check that the drawer closes too. Cardboard tells you about the space occupied; it cannot establish the strength or final fit of the printed part.
Choose a location suited to the material
For this project, keep food in suitable packaging or containers. Do not use the compartments to store loose spices, flour or unpackaged food directly. The name PLA or PETG on a spool is not enough to establish that the finished object is suitable for food contact; the Prusa documentation on FDM printing and food sets out several points to check.
Keep the organiser away from hobs, steam outlets and hot cookware. It is not a trivet. The thermal limitations of PLA described by Prusa are a reminder to choose the material for its actual environment. Dishwasher suitability cannot be assumed: follow the care instructions for the part and its material.
Try the part before filling the drawer
First install the empty organiser without forcing it. Check that it comes out easily, then add a few objects and close the drawer gently. Try each compartment and inspect the edges your fingers will touch.
Finally, check that you can remove crumbs and clean the corners. If an area remains inaccessible, a more open shape will be more practical than an extra compartment. Choose the organiser that makes everyday use easier, not just the one that looks well organised in a drawing.