What Are Inserts?

What Are Cabinet Inserts (and Why You’ll Want Them Installed From the Start)

When designing your dream kitchen, it’s easy to focus on the big-picture details: cabinet style, color, countertops, and layout. But what truly takes a kitchen from good to great is what happens inside the cabinets — and that’s where cabinet inserts come in.

If you've ever used a kitchen that just worked — where everything had its place, movement was effortless, and storage felt smart — chances are, it had well-thought-out inserts behind the doors.

So, What Are Cabinet Inserts?

Cabinet inserts (also called cabinet accessories) are built-in organizers and functional add-ons that go inside your cabinets to make them more efficient, ergonomic, and enjoyable to use. These aren’t aftermarket trays or plastic bins — we’re talking about integrated, often soft-close, engineered systems that turn ordinary storage into customized functionality.

Common Inserts Include:

• Trash & recycling pullouts

• Spice racks

• Cutlery dividers

• Roll-out trays or shelves

• Blind corner pullouts

• Utensil organizers

• Pan lid storage

• Tray dividers for baking sheets

• Appliance lifts

• Knife blocks and peg systems for drawers

Here’s a lazy susan for this corner cabinet.

Premium Hardware, Built to Last

At Ivy Cabinets, we often use high-quality insert hardware from brands like Blum — known worldwide for their smooth, durable, and innovative motion technology. These inserts are engineered to last, with soft-close features, full-extension glides, and modular options that fit your lifestyle.

This isn’t just about convenience. It’s about creating a kitchen that feels like it was designed for you — because it was.

Why It’s Best to Add Inserts During Cabinet Design

While it’s technically possible to retrofit inserts after your cabinets are installed, it’s not ideal. Here’s why it’s smarter (and often more cost-effective) to plan for them from the start:

1. Custom Fit Means Better Function

Inserts installed during production are built to fit your exact cabinet sizes — no wasted space, no awkward gaps, no DIY adjustments. Aftermarket inserts are rarely a perfect fit, and they often rattle, shift, or just don’t perform as well.

2. More Options Are Available

Many of the most useful inserts (like pullout trash systems or blind-corner units) require specific cabinet configurations or clearances. If you wait until after the cabinets are built, your options are limited to whatever can squeeze into the space you’ve already committed to.

3. Cleaner Design & Installation

Inserts installed at the cabinet shop are seamless and integrated, with matching finishes and precise mounting. Retrofitting later often involves drilling into finished cabinetry, removing parts, or trying to match hardware — and the results can look and feel like an afterthought.