ᐅ First usable row of holes for drawers from the top, height?

Created on: 18 Jul 2016 15:46
T
Trulla
Hello!

I want to install a shallow Förvara drawer above my dishwasher (only semi-integrated, W 59.8cm (23.5 inches) x D 57.3cm (22.6 inches) x H 81.5cm (32.1 inches)) and need to drill through the side panels of two Metod base cabinets to mount the runners. The dishwasher is 81.5cm (32.1 inches) high, so with the base cabinets being 88cm (34.6 inches) tall, there would be a 7.5cm (3 inches) gap below the countertop. I plan to raise the METOD legs by 2.5cm (1 inch) to a total height of 10.5cm (4.1 inches) and then use a drawer front about 10cm (4 inches) high. My question is, what is the height of the first row of pre-drilled holes from the top of the base cabinets that can be used for drawers? It should actually work, since the drawer would close right at the top anyway, right?
N
Nörgli
18 Jul 2016 17:47
I would recommend getting different furniture legs (for example, from SO-Tech), as the ones from Metod tend to become a bit unstable when screwed out that far. I even know people who work with a 1m (3.3 ft) height.
T
Trulla
18 Jul 2016 23:42
Yes, these plinths are ideal. With a 38 mm (1.5 inch) thick countertop, I would get a working height of about 95 cm (37 inches), which is not perfect but definitely better than my current height of around 89 cm (35 inches).

This is my plan, would it work:

1. Buy two boards, each 10 cm (4 inches) wide and 60 cm (24 inches) long, and screw them onto the outside sides of the METOD cabinets. Drill through the top screw holes of the METOD cabinets into the attached boards and install the drawer rails there. Then assemble all the carcasses without doors.

2. Screw the plinth foot up to 115 mm (4.5 inches) high* and attach it, set up all the carcasses, and fit the doors.

3. Install a low FORVARA drawer with a 10 cm (4 inch) high front and place it into the niche.

4. Lay the countertop and attach the wall connection strip.

* Should I maybe screw it to 116 or 117 mm (4.6 or 4.6 inches) instead for some extra clearance with the drawer?
I
IKEA-Experte
19 Jul 2016 12:10
That should work. Place the dishwasher and adjacent cabinets temporarily to determine the exact plinth height. The dishwasher might need to be slightly higher to properly compensate for uneven floors.
Make sure the boards are straight in all directions. Solid wood tends to warp easily.
If you prefer it higher, use a taller plinth.
T
Trulla
19 Jul 2016 16:12
Thank you!
🙂

An even higher plinth... then I would have a gap between the dishwasher and the drawer...
... but if you were to say that ergonomics come before aesthetics, you would of course be right...
😕
I
IKEA-Experte
19 Jul 2016 16:43
The gap does not have to be at the top; you can install the dishwasher higher or cover the gap at the top with a trim strip / filler strip.
T
Trulla
19 Jul 2016 17:38
Hmm, I need to check if I can find the dishwasher manual somewhere... to see if I can actually raise it... that would be great, of course.

Sometimes I really wish I were as small as the average German woman. 🙄
Well, probably my Dutch genes! 😀