Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions Guide
When designing a kitchen, understanding standard cabinet dimensions is key to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing layout. Knowing the typical widths, depths, and heights for base, wall, and tall cabinets allows you to plan your space efficiently.
Whether you're remodeling your kitchen or building a new one from scratch, use this as your go-to reference for cabinet dimensions.
Kitchen Layout Considerations
There are a few key factors to consider when planning your kitchen layout:
- Workflow - Position cabinets and appliances in a logical order based on how you cook and move around the kitchen.
- Traffic flow - Allow enough space between cabinets, islands, and appliances for multiple people to work comfortably.
- Windows and doors - Position sink, fridge, and appliances accordingly while allowing room for opening doors and drawers.
- Plumbing and electrical - Place sink base cabinet near water supply lines. Allow access to outlets for appliances.
Keep in mind standard cabinet sizes as you map out your optimal kitchen design. Aligning cabinets and appliances according to their dimensions will ensure your layout is functional.
Types of Kitchen Cabinets
There are three main types of kitchen cabinets, each with standard interior dimensions:
Base Cabinets
Base cabinets sit on the floor and support countertops. They typically have the following standard dimensions:
- Height - 34-1/2 inches
- Depth - 24 inches
- Widths - Vary from 9 to 48 inches
Common widths for base cabinets are:
- 9 inches - spice pull out cabinet
- 12 inches - drawer base cabinet
- 18 inches - small drawer or door base cabinet
- 24 inches - medium drawer or door cabinet for appliances
- 36 inches - large drawer or door cabinet for sink or stove
Wall Cabinets
Wall cabinets are mounted on the wall above countertops. Standard dimensions are:
- Height - 30 to 42 inches
- Depth - 12 to 24 inches
- Width - 12 to 48 inches
Some common wall cabinet widths are:
- 12-15 inches - spice cabinets
- 18-24 inches - medium sized cabinets above sink or appliances
- 30-36 inches - large cabinets for dishes and plates
Tall Cabinets
Tall cabinets are designed to maximize vertical storage space. Typical dimensions are:
- Height - 84-96 inches
- Depth - 24 inches
- Width - 18-48 inches
Tall cabinets often serve as pantry cabinets for expanded storage.
Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions
Understanding the typical height, width, and depth for base, wall and tall kitchen cabinets allows you to plan your space efficiently.
Base Cabinet Dimensions
Base cabinets have a standard depth of 24 inches. Base cabinet heights are typically 34-1/2 inches tall. Common base cabinet widths include:
- 9-inch - spice pull out cabinet
- 12-inch - small drawer base cabinet
- 15-inch - door base cabinet
- 18-inch - drawer or door base cabinet
- 24-inch - medium drawer or door base cabinet
- 30-inch - large drawer or door base cabinet
- 36-inch - extra large drawer or door cabinet for sink/stove
For corner cabinets, a common width is 36 inches. Sink base cabinets are often 24 inches wide.
Wall Cabinet Dimensions
Standard wall cabinet depths are 12 or 24 inches. Wall cabinet heights are typically:
- 30 inches
- 36 inches
- 42 inches
Wall cabinet widths commonly range from:
- 12 to 15 inches - spice and specialty cabinets
- 18 to 24 inches - standard wall cabinets
- 30 to 48 inches - wide cabinets over appliances or sinks
Taller wall cabinets may have heights up to 84 or 96 inches to maximize vertical storage space.
Kitchen Appliance Dimensions
Standard appliance dimensions are another key consideration for kitchen planning. Allow proper clearances based on appliance sizes when arranging your layout.
Typical widths for common kitchen appliances:
- Dishwasher - 24 inches
- Refrigerator - 30-36 inches
- Range - 30-48 inches
- Microwave - 25-30 inches wide by 15-18 inches tall
Be sure to measure your specific appliance models and refer to manufacturer specs for cutouts and clearances.
Kitchen Cabinet Costs
Kitchen cabinet prices can vary greatly depending on materials and quality. On average, expect to pay:
- Economy - $75 to $250 per linear foot
- Mid-range - $200 to $500 per linear foot
- Premium - $500+ per linear foot
To estimate your overall budget, calculate total linear feet of cabinets and multiply by price per linear foot based on your preferred quality tier.
Carefully planning your kitchen layout using standard cabinet dimensions can help you maximize function and stay within your budget.
Designing Your Kitchen Layout
Now that you know standard kitchen cabinet sizes, use this information as a guide when designing your layout. Here are some tips:
- Make a scale drawing of your space with accurate measurements.
- Indicate windows, doors, and existing plumbing and electrical.
- Research your desired appliances and note dimensions.
- Sketch various layout options using standard cabinet sizes.
- Align cabinets appropriately around appliances.
- Ensure adequate clearance for doors and drawers to open.
- Include landing spaces on each side of the stove.
- Optimize traffic flow and work zones.
Pay attention to standard measurements as you test different layouts. This will help you land on a functional floorplan tailored to your unique space.
Tips for Installing Kitchen Cabinets
When installing your kitchen cabinets, follow these tips for best results:
- Measure carefully and mark stud locations for secure mounting.
- Level and plumb cabinets using shims before fastening.
- Attach adjacent cabinets together through sidewalls.
- Securely mount upper cabinets to studs before base cabinets.
- Use filler strips to bridge any gaps between cabinet and wall.
- Install drawer front last to ensure proper alignment.
- Complete all cabinet adjustments before countertop installation.
Taking the time to properly install your cabinets will help your kitchen look and function its best for years to come.