Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions - Sizes and Layout Tips for Your Remodel
When remodeling or building a new kitchen, choosing the right cabinet dimensions is key to creating a functional and stylish space. From standard cabinet depths to ideal heights, understanding kitchen cabinet sizes will ensure your layout maximizes storage and meets your needs.
Kitchen cabinet dimensions vary, but standard sizes have emerged based on common designs. Learning these typical measurements for base, wall, and corner cabinets makes planning your new kitchen much easier.
Common Depth and Height Dimensions
Kitchen cabinets are available in a range of depths and heights, but certain sizes are most prevalent.
Standard Cabinet Depths
The most common kitchen cabinet depth is 24 inches. This size provides ample room for storage while leaving enough space for countertops and aisles. Some larger or deeper cabinets go as far as 27-30 inches.
Deeper cabinets can provide more storage capacity but can impinge on walkways. Careful kitchen layouts are needed if going beyond the standard 24 inch depth.
Typical Kitchen Cabinet Heights
Standard cabinet heights depend on the type of cabinet:
- Base cabinets: 34-1/2 inches is the typical height for base cabinets since this leaves room for countertops.
- Wall cabinets: Wall cabinets usually fall between 30-36 inches. Heights of 30, 33, or 36 inches are common.
For especially tall ceilings, some wall cabinets may go up to 42 inches high. The standard options aim to maximize storage without making upper cabinets too hard to reach.
Base Cabinet Widths and Dimensions
Base cabinets form the foundation of a kitchen’s storage with their positioning on the floor. Here are standard base cabinet dimensions:
- Depth – 24 inches
- Height – 34-1/2 inches
- Width – Varies from 24-36 inches wide, in 3 inch increments
Base Cabinet Design Tips
When incorporating base cabinets, keep these recommendations in mind:
- Include at least one 36 inch wide sink base – This provides room for the sink and counter space on each side.
- Have a minimum of 15 inches of base cabinets for dish storage.
- Consider 18-21 inch deep drawer base cabinets – These shallow but wide “rollout” cabinets maximize storage.
Wall Cabinet Sizes
Wall cabinets make use of vertical space to provide storage. Standard sizes are:
- 12-24 inches deep
- 30-36 inches high
- 24-36 inches wide
Wall Cabinet Design Factors
With wall cabinets, consider:
- Matching their height to the users’ needs and room height.
- Depth impacts storage capacity but leave room for wall decor.
- Width depends on available wall space.
Corner Cabinet Dimensions
Corner cabinets maximize awkward angled spaces using diagonal designs. Standard corner cabinet sizes are:
- Depth – 24 inches
- Height – 34-1/2 inches
- Width – 24-36 inches on each side
Maximizing Corner Cabinet Storage
Some tips for using corner cabinets efficiently include:
- Optimizing their width and accessibility.
- Including pull-out shelves or lazy susans.
- Considering diagonal designs instead of pie cut shapes.
Planning Your Kitchen Cabinet Layout
With standard cabinet sizes in mind, you can start planning an effective kitchen layout. Consider these spacing guidelines:
- 30-48 inches between countertops of facing cabinets
- At least 36 inches for main kitchen walkways
- 15 inches minimum from countertop edges to walls
Other kitchen cabinet layout tips include:
- Mixing up cabinet widths and sizes for visual interest.
- Including a variety of drawer, shelving, and storage options.
- Ensuring cabinets maximize space efficiency.
With standard kitchen cabinet dimensions in mind, you can design an effective, storage-focused kitchen remodel. Follow these typical size guidelines while also considering your family’s needs and kitchen activities.