Schubladen

Schubladen are a common element of furniture, flat-tray compartments that slide in and out of a cabinet to provide accessible storage. They are typically mounted inside chests, dressers, desks, and kitchen bases and can be made from wood, plywood, or engineered materials. The front of a Schublade forms part of the furniture’s face and is often fitted with a handle or lip to pull the drawer.

Most drawers are guided by hardware that keeps them aligned during movement. Common systems include wooden or metal runners, ball-bearing slides, and undermount or side-mounted slides. Full-extension slides allow the drawer to be pulled out completely; soft-close mechanisms prevent slamming. Dovetail or finger-jointed joints at the rear and sides provide strength for repeated use.

Materials and finishes vary from solid wood and veneered faces to laminate or painted surfaces. The front of a Schublade is designed to be flush with the surrounding cabinet frame, and the interior is often configured with dividers or organizers. Drawers can differ in height, depth, and width, enabling diverse storage solutions.

In residential settings, drawers are found in dressers, nightstands, desks, and kitchen bases, while in offices they appear in filing cabinets and desks. Proper sizing, hardware choice, and drawer stops help prevent tipping when heavy contents are drawn out. The development of standardized slide hardware in the 20th century greatly expanded the practicality of drawers in modern furniture.