Kitchen Cabinets

Before choosing your kitchen cabinets, hopefully you designed the layout of your kitchen. If not, please read Layout of Kitchen Appliances in the Kitchen Remodeling Section on this website.



For those of you who are be ready, first you must determine what type of kitchen cabinets you want to use. The four choices are:

1. Ready to assemble. This is just what it sounds like. You buy a big flat box and assemble all the pieces into the final product.
2. Stock preassembled cabinets. Here you get the cabinet assembled in a big box. This is a very common choice.

Both are usually available in finished or unfinished.

1. Semi-custom cabinets. Here the cabinet manufacturer makes the cabinets to your individual specifications. Allow extra time for this as this can take from a few weeks to a few months.
2. Custom cabinets. This is exactly what it says. Custom to any specification you want.

Both are usually finished.

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Think about your options as you move in to fine tune exactly how the kitchen cabinet pieces fit together. If you have a home with square rooms, then a basic layout of the stock cabinets will work. They are the most reasonable and come with many options.

Based upon the floor plan, you have the measurements for the kitchen and the appliances, showing all the doors, windows, electrical outlets, current plumbing arrangements, gas piping, telephone/data wiring, cable TV wiring and any other special features you want to install such a under counter lighting.

Let us start with the base unit for the sink. Layout on your floor plan exactly where this cabinet will fit. Make sure you allow plenty of room for the sink.

These kitchen cabinets usually are 30, 36 or 48 inches wide. The 36 inch is the most common for a double sink. After placing the sink base, move to either the right or the left side. It doesn?t matter which side.

Remember to leave room for the dishwasher. The only item that goes in this 24 inch space is the countertop. Remember the hot water supply, the drain and the electric wiring that must be provided to this space for the dishwasher. Remember to allow the 34½ inches of height to allow the dishwasher to fit. Check your dishwasher manufacturer?s specifications.

Keep in mind that cabinets come in standard widths. These can be as narrow as 9 inches and as wide as 48 inches. They are usually in 3 inch increments. Check with your manufacturer to define the exact widths they can supply you with.

Continue around the kitchen with the other cabinets until you get to the space the range will occupy. Once again leave sufficient space to allow the stove to fit.

Typically the range manufacturer will specify 36 inches, but the actual width of the range is ¼ inch less. That way it fits. If this is a major remodel, now is the time to add extra electrical outlets, lighting switches, etc.


After you have all the base cabinets laid out, start on the overhead cabinets. This will be an elevation drawing. Allow 15 to 18 inches between the top of the counter and the bottom of the upper cabinet.

It is a compromise between working height. A good compromise is 16 ½ inches. If you are going to have tall portable appliances setting out on your countertop, you will then need more space between the two.

The upper cabinets are usually the same width as the base cabinets to keep everything uniform. Most of the time, there is an additional foot of space above the upper cabinets, you can place a platform on top to display knick knacks OR if you want additional storage space you can always add 12 inch tall cabinets.

Keep in mind you will most likely need a stool or step ladder to reach the additional height to get to that storage area. Perfect for items you only use every so often.

Plan everything carefully as at this stage mistakes are easy to fix. Once the cabinets are bought and installed, the mistakes are not easy to fix.

Good luck. We will cover the cabinet installation in another section.

Ideas on new kitchen designs, cabinets and islands - Design ideas on kitchens from islands to countertops, including an section on how to remodel and reface perfectly.

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