There is no doubt that cabinets are vital to a kitchen – whether for storing food, utensils, or appliances, or to provide a working surface to prepare meals on, you need at least one to make your space functional. But how exactly do you select the right units for your cooking area? This guide on kitchen cabinet sizes will help you learn more about the standard dimensions and what will suit your needs the most.

Tip!

Read How to Measure Kitchen Cabinets for Custom Cabinetry first, so you can get an understanding of how to calculate which of the kitchen cabinet sizes will be right for you.

Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes

When it comes to kitchen design – unless you are having yours custom built and installed – it helps to have a list of the standard kitchen cabinet sizes to help simplify the process. Since the majority of manufacturers use similar measurements, you will more easily be able to calculate the precise depth, height, and width of base and wall cabinets you need.

Tip!

To learn more about cabinet types, read Types of Cabinets 101: Kitchen Cabinet Buying Guide.

Kitchen Base Cabinet Sizes

A kitchen base cabinet is typically installed directly onto the floor. This will affect how much space is used as well as how everything flows in your kitchen. The base cabinet is the most important part of the whole cabinet system since it holds the three most used workstations – dishwasher, stove, and fridge, along with the countertops and sink. Base cabinets also usually provide storage cupboards and drawers for your kitchen essentials, particularly heavier pots, pans, and appliances.

When you are measuring kitchen cabinet sizes, it is imperative you begin with the base as it is what sets the standard for what everything else needs to be aligned to. Once your work triangle and base cabinet designs are established, you can move onto adding other types of cabinets like a pantry or corner unit.

Kitchen Base Cabinet Height

The standard base cabinet height is around 34.5 inches tall. This number can increase to 36 inches depending on the thickness of your countertop and whether a plywood underlay is used or not. Some bases can be as low as 32 inches or as high as 38 inches.

• Taller people might prefer taller cabinets for a better experience.
• It is possible to raise cabinet bases using a custom box frame which can then be covered with a toe-kick for aesthetics.

Kitchen Base Cabinet Depth

Kitchen bases are rarely more than 21 or 24 inches deep, not counting the countertop/overhang (this will increase to around 26 inches depending on the detailing). Anything deeper will make it difficult to reach items stored all the way at the back.

• That being said, cabinets with a lazy susan installed are about 33 inches deep.
• Cabinet bases with blind corners (two cabinets meeting at right angles), have an increased depth.
• Kitchen islands will also have deeper base cabinets if they are back to back accessible from either side.

Kitchen Base Cabinet Width

The width of kitchen bases varies more than the height or depth. They start at 12 inches wide, and go up in 3 inch increments with the most common sizes being 30 inches, 33 inches, 36 inches, and 48 inches.

• Sink base cabinets range between 30 inches to 42 inches wide are designed with a false drawer front for the basin to sit inside and an entirely open interior to allow for plumbing.

Tip!

Corner units help to prevent wasted space in the kitchen. They typically measure 34.5 inches high (same as standard base units), 36 inches wide (to give the double doors enough clearance), and 24 inches deep (to remain accessible).

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Sizes

Kitchen wall cabinets are attached directly to the wall studs and over the countertops. They are the most visible type of cabinets and are typically used for storing dinnerware, food, and light-weight kitchen tools. It is easy to accessorize and customize wall cabinets with knobs and hinges.

These cabinets are generally installed 18 inches above the base cabinets (from the countertop to the cabinet bottom). Their correct installation must be 54 inches from the floor to the bottom of the cabinet – this leaves that 18 inches which is the standard height for kitchen backsplashes.

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Height

There is no standard wall cabinet height, so yours will vary depending on the space and look you prefer. Some cabinets can have an open area above them to display items, while others can go right to the ceiling for a more contained look (usually kitchens with tall ceilings).

• Wall cabinet heights can be as short as 12 inches or as tall as 42 inches (this will extend all the way up to an 8 foot ceiling). 36 inch and 39 inch wall cabinets will leave room for crown molding and LED lighting for decorative purposes.
• Wall cabinets that are 48 inches, 51 inches, and 54 inches high provide more storage in kitchens with taller ceilings.
• Shorter cabinets work well over the stove and fridge.
• When hanging a wall cabinet above the sink, you should leave between 24 and 36 inches above the countertop to provide enough overhead space.
• An 8 foot ceiling with a 12 inch soffit (cover over the gap between the wall and eaves) will need 30 inch wall cabinets.
• An 8 foot ceiling with a crown molding finish will need 36 inch wall cabinets.

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Depth

Wall cabinets are usually around 12 inches deep for ease of access. It's possible to find depths of 15, 18, and 24 inches too, though that is the maximum depth as the wall cabinets cannot exceed the depth of the base cabinets.

• Wall cabinets over microwaves are between 15 to 18 inches deep.
• Wall cabinets over the fridge are typically 24 inches deep.
• You can also surround your fridge with 24 inch cabinets for a built-in effect.

Kitchen Wall Cabinet Width

Kitchen wall cabinets can be as narrow as 9 inches and increase in 3 inch increments to as wide as 48 inches. The most common is 30 inches which can accommodate a single or double door while providing the best proportions with the most storage.

Tip!

Read How to Install Kitchen Cabinets once you are ready to begin working on your kitchen!

So if you are planning on revamping or upgrading your kitchen, this kitchen cabinet sizes should help you better understand what your space will need and what will best suit your needs.

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