Hi Jeff,

I'm working away on my kitchen. Base cabinets are made and I have
some options on making drawers, shelves or pullouts. Last cabinets
were all drawers and pullouts, but I found they were largely crap
catchers.
I'm thinking now, jut two drawers, one for cutlery and the other
for tools. Perhaps a third for commonly used dishes,
so I can just pull it out and put them away after washing and drying
them (all just to the right of the sink). Dishes would be upright.
Pots and pans commonly used would be hung over the stove, as before.

I chose to build all of our base cabinets with drawers. The only
exceptions are the shelf under our corner sink (where we keep our garbage
can), and a single shelved cabinet that fits in a blind corner next to
the dishwasher (where we keep our pots, pans, and small appliances)

We find the drawers allow much better access than shelves. As long as
everything has a place, they don't collect any more junk than shelves do.
Our drawers are progressively deeper from top to bottom. If I'm
remembering correctly, it's 5", then 8", then 12" on the bottom.
Obviously, everyone has their own organization, but here's how we have
ours laid out to give an idea of what our drawers are used for:

Bank 1 (between dishwasher and sink):
1: Hot pads and measuring cups
2: Foils, plastic wraps, garbage bags, etc.
3: Dish towels

Bank 2 (between sink and stove):
1: Odd utensils, pastry cutters, thermometers, potato mashers, etc.
2: Seldom used spices, large containers for refilling spice jars, etc.
3: Lids for pans

Bank 3 (other side of stove):
1: Silverware
2: Mixing bowls and baking dishes
3: Large baking dishes

Bank 4 (near the refrigerator):
1: "Snacks" (cookies, popcorn, etc.)
2: Rubbermaid plastic containers
3: Potatoes and Onions

Bank 5 (near the refrigerator):
1: Pasta, rice, beans
2: Teas, coffees, bread
3: Sugar, Flour, Salt

We keep dishes, glasses, and that sort of thing in overhead cabinets with
shelves. Shelves work fine here since the cabinets are up higher and not
as deep for things to get buried.

We also keep cereals and canned goods in an overhead cabinet next to the
refrigerator, and have a full height shelved pantry next to the
refrigerator for stocking extra supplies. Finally, we have an extra large
cabinet above the refrigerator for keeping big items we don't use much
like cake pans and whatnot.

My vote is for drawers!

Anthony