Drawer Sides: Structure and System Compatibility for Blum Fittings

June 15, 2026

A drawer side is the lateral profile of a modern drawer system that mechanically connects the front, base, and back panel whilst housing the runner mechanism. In professional furniture making, double-walled drawer side systems made of powder-coated steel dominate, offering high compatibility with established industry standards thanks to standardised hole patterns and modular dimensions.

What is a Drawer Side Exactly?

In modern furniture construction, the metal drawer side replaces the traditional wooden drawer side. It acts as the load-bearing chassis of the drawer, into which the wooden base and back panel are simply inserted or screwed. The drawer side conceals the carriage of the runner mechanism.

Particularly when using undermount drawer runners, the runner engages invisibly with the drawer side from below. The system enables precise three-dimensional adjustment of the furniture front (height, side, tilt) directly on the drawer side, usually concealed under a cover cap.

Structure and System Compatibility (Compatible with Blum)

When drawer systems are declared as "compatible with Blum" (such as Tandembox or Antaro), this refers to exact technical matches during installation. For the joiner or fitter, this means:

Hole pattern: The cabinet runners use the standardised System 32. The screw-on positions on the cabinet side (distance to the front edge, usually 37 mm) are identical.
Cutting dimensions: The wooden base and wooden back panel (usually 16 mm thick chipboard) are cut using the same calculation formulas (e.g. internal cabinet width minus 75 mm for the base width).
Front fixing: The position of the drill holes for the front fixing brackets matches, meaning existing CNC programs or drilling jigs can continue to be used without retooling.

Types and Mechanical Variants

Drawer side systems are categorised by their system height and the built-in movement mechanism.

Heights: Low drawer sides (approx. 80 mm - 90 mm) are used for cutlery drawers. High versions (approx. 200 mm), often supplemented by a gallery rail or glass design elements, are suitable for large-volume storage. This is typical for a kitchen cabinet pull-out 60 cm for pots and pans.
Extension type: The standard is the full extension, where the drawer box travels completely clear of the cabinet. A drawer runners full extension provides maximum access to the rearmost corner.
Damping: An integrated damper slows the drawer down over the last few centimetres and pulls it shut gently. Soft-close drawer runners protect the material and reduce noise.

Dimensions, Standards, and Typical Values

When planning drawer side systems, the following technical parameters are decisive:

Nominal length: Describes the depth of the drawer side and the matching runner. Common dimensions start at drawer runners 250 mm for narrow bathroom furniture and extend in 50 mm increments up to 550 mm or 600 mm for deep kitchen base units.
Load capacity: A standard drawer side system dynamically carries around 30 kg. For wide pull-outs with heavy contents (crockery, provisions), heavy-duty drawer runners with a rated load of 40 kg to 50 kg are required.
Board thickness: The fixings for the base and back panel are strictly designed for 16 mm thick board material.

Use & Installation

Installation takes place in three clear steps: first, the cabinet runner is screwed to the interior of the cabinet side. Next, the drawer box is assembled by screwing the 16 mm base and the back panel to the two metal drawer sides. Finally, the front panel is clipped onto the drawer sides using the front fixings. Removal of the front is usually tool-free via a release lever on the drawer side.

Related Terms

Cabinet runner: The element of the runner system securely screwed to the cabinet side.
Front fixing: The connecting bracket between the furniture front panel and the drawer side.
Push-to-open: A mechanical ejector mechanism for handleless fronts.
Internal width: The exact internal dimension of the cabinet carcass, the basis for all cutting calculations.