Finnish Dish Drying Cabinets Are the Brilliant Design Upgrade Every Kitchen Needs

Are you always short on counter space? Live in a tiny apartment? You may want to consider a Finnish dish drying cabinet. Also known as astiankuivauskaappi—or “dish drying closet”—this clever invention has been a fixture in Finnish kitchens since the 1940s. “They’re literally in every kitchen, from apartments and houses to cabins in the woods,” says Sina Alizadeh Westerling of Helsinki-based interior design studio Sina Interiors. “It’s difficult to imagine a Finnish kitchen without one.”

How It Works

The system is simple, yet genius. Slatted or perforated metal shelves are installed inside a cabinet that sits directly above the sink. After washing, dishes are placed on the shelves and drip-dry neatly into the sink below. With the cabinet doors closed, the dishes are hidden from view as they dry.  It’s a true game-changer for small kitchens, homes without a dishwasher, or anybody who has a lot of hand-washable items.

“I’d say the biggest advantage is how effortless it makes everyday life,” says Mikko Vaija, editor-in-chief of the Finnish Design Shop’s Design Stories blog. “You don’t need a separate drying rack, so countertops stay uncluttered and tidy.” Compared to traditional countertop racks, the design also allows more airflow, and since water drips directly into the sink, it prevents buildup that can lead to mold or mildew.

A Double-Duty Storage Piece

Because the dish drying cabinet functions as a cabinet in its own right, it also doubles as storage. “Traditionally in Finland, we just put the washed plates and glasses straight into the cabinet above the sink,” Vaija explains. “Often, they’re stored there until they’re ready to be used again.” 

“The cabinet should have several shelves for plates and cups, and another for pots,” adds Alizadeh Westerling. Some cabinets can feature up to five or six shelves, depending on the height and depth of the cabinet. However, Vaija notes that it’s important to pay attention to the height of the shelves. “You want to make sure the cabinet feels comfortable and easy to use in daily life.”

A Pioneering Invention

The dish-drying cabinet was popularized by Maiju Gebhard, a Finnish home economist and head of the household department at the Finnish Work Efficiency Institute. Gebhard wanted to create time-saving tools for women and help eliminate the tedious task of hand-drying pots, pans, and dishes. Astiankuivauskaappi was born. “It became an immediate success and was fitted into practically every Finnish kitchen,” says interior designer Anne Tiainen-Harris.

Even with the introduction of the modern dishwasher, the Finnish dish drying rack hasn’t gone away. “When my partner and I renovated our kitchen a couple of years ago, it never even crossed our minds to leave the dish-drying cabinet out,” says Vaija. “You can’t put every pot or pan in the dishwasher, and it’s much easier to set them on the rack to air-dry.” 

Today’s versions of the dish drying cabinet tend to be more compact than the original models. “They’re often used for items like water bottles, baby bottles, or other hand-wash-only items,” Tiainen-Harris notes. The closed-door design also helps keep delicate china and glassware safe as it dries. 

How to Get a Finnish Dish Drying Cabinet at Home

Ready-made dish drying cabinets aren’t widely available in the U.S., but with some DIY skills (or the help of a carpenter), you can create a version of your own. Ideally, the cabinet sits over the sink for easy draining, but newer models often include drip trays if that isn’t possible. White-coated metal racks are the traditional shelf style, but sleeker stainless steel options have also become popular in recent years. 

For your own version, start with the kind of wire mesh shelving that’s often used in closet systems (look at Ikea or The Container Store’s Elfa system). Make sure to measure carefully so the shelves fit snugly inside the cabinet. Remove the existing cabinet shelves, then install rails and shelf brackets along the back. If the bottom of the cabinet is closed, add a plastic tray to catch drips. Slide the mesh shelves into place and voilà! You’ve built your own dish-drying cabinet.