The Hidden Under-Counter Drawer That Solves Every Kitchen's Storage Crunch

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Every seasoned designer keeps a short list of fixtures and finishes they return to project after project, simply because the performance is unmatched. In this ongoing series, we sit down with a working professional to unpack one standout piece they refuse to design without.

Anyone who has weathered a kitchen renovation knows that designers hold fierce opinions on everything from cabinetry paint and backsplash tile to pendant lighting and countertop stone. What tends to fly under the radar, though, is how particular they are about appliances. A whisper-quiet dishwasher is non-negotiable; a hood that disappears into the drywall is a given. And refrigeration? Raise the subject with New York–based designer Piper Skillman, and it won't be long before she's championing Fisher & Paykel's Integrated CoolDrawer.

Start with the basics: the unit cycles through five distinct temperature modes—refrigerator, pantry, wine, chill, and freezer. Skillman notes that nearly every client who installs one ends up toggling between settings as their household rhythms shift. “One household runs it as overflow freezer space for pints of ice cream in summer and frozen produce come winter, while in two other homes it quietly backs up the bar,” she explains. Beyond chilling a bottle of wine, it's equally suited to cold brew concentrate, cream, maraschino cherries, and the other small necessities of a well-stocked drinks station. “If you host often and keep a dedicated bar, it's a relief not to dart back into the kitchen—and abandon your guests—every time someone wants a cocktail,” Skillman adds.

Equally compelling is how the unit tucks beneath a standard 36-inch counter, vanishing into the surrounding millwork without so much as hinting at what it does. The fascia accepts a custom panel to match neighboring cabinetry, and on one memorable project Skillman pushed the customization further still, cladding the front in a high-gloss red panel finished with a serpent-motif pull.

Nor do you need an expansive footprint to justify one. “It holds a surprising amount of additional storage, yet it scales comfortably to kitchens of nearly any size or configuration,” Skillman points out. While she hasn't yet had a client rely on it as a primary fridge, she sees it thriving as the lone appliance in a guesthouse, a short-term rental, or a home office–studio. Honestly, for those post–grocery run days when you've simply bought more than your main refrigerator can absorb, this secondary drawer has you covered.

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.

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