The Surprising Reason You Shouldn’t Store Plates on Kitchen Shelves

Exploring someone else’s kitchen is always an adventure. Sometimes you pick up smart and useful hacks, and other times, you leave thankful that they’re not in charge of your own kitchen.

On a recent visit to my aunt’s home, I saw her do something totally unexpected. She pulled a big stack of clean plates from the dishwasher and put them straight into a drawer right next to it. Wait, what? Drawers aren’t for plates, shelves are. Everyone knows that.

But, nope—my aunt hadn’t used shelves for plates in years, and she wasn’t about to change her method now.

It turns out, storing plates in drawers has become a trendy kitchen organization move over the past few years. My aunt was simply ahead of the game. Now that I’ve seen her brilliant approach, I’m urging you to give this plate storage hack a try yourself. After all, the better organized your kitchen is, the more you’ll enjoy using it.

Why You Should Consider Storing Plates in Drawers Instead

Safety Concerns

Think about it—plates, especially when stacked, are some of the heaviest items in your kitchen. So why risk storing them up high where they could fall? It’s almost like inviting an accident—or worse—into your kitchen.

Instead of storing heavy items on the top shelf, reserve those hard-to-reach spaces for lighter items like glassware, mixing bowls, Tupperware, and baking tools you don’t use daily. This way, if you accidentally drop something (knock on wood), you won’t risk injuring yourself or damaging your fine china.

Maximizing Storage Space

Often, cabinet shelves are set at awkward heights, leaving your stacks of dishware only partially filling the available space. This means valuable storage is going to waste, and if your shelves are deep, good luck reaching anything stored in the back.

Deep drawers can hold your entire set of dishes, and since they pull out, you can easily access everything—even items at the back. Unlike cabinets, this design gives you a clear view of all your options—plates, bowls, and more—so you always know exactly what you're grabbing. Some designers even add wooden dividers to make organizing even easier.

Simpler Loading (and Unloading)

Consider how often you need to walk across the kitchen to unload the dishwasher. By storing your plates and other dishes as close to the dishwasher as possible (like in a nearby drawer), you’ll instantly reduce the time and effort spent on this routine task.

When it comes to putting things away, placing dishes at waist level or lower reduces physical strain and is much easier on your back. The same goes for retrieving them—just remember to lift with your legs, not your back!

Aesthetic Appeal

How visually appealing are your everyday plates, really? While they might look nice when set on the table, in a stack, they don’t need to be the centerpiece of your kitchen.

If you have open shelving or glass-fronted cabinets, save those spots for more attractive items like crystal glasses, elegant decanters, or charming wooden cutting boards. Basically, display pieces that enhance your kitchen’s style—rather than bulky plates.

Kid-Friendly

If you have kids in the house, this might just be the perfect reason to make the switch. By storing dishware at a lower level, your children can easily access it, which means they won’t be tempted to climb up on the kitchen counter when they’re looking for a snack. Plus, they may even be more inclined to help set the table if everything is within reach (fingers crossed!).

I know it might seem like the way you’ve always organized things, but I encourage you to rethink your cabinet storage and give this simple life hack a try. It’s never too late to refresh your kitchen, especially if it leads to a more functional and enjoyable space for everyone.