At Kitchens by Oaks, we understand that cabinets are an essential kitchen component. That’s why our expert designers have created a comprehensive cabinet guide to help you navigate the countless options available. You can also find our cabinet offerings and solutions here on our website.
Our guide will walk you through the selection process. We’ll cover standard in-stock sizes for efficiency and custom-made cabinets that fit a unique space. Dive in to learn everything you need to know about kitchen cabinets!
Want to learn more? Our kitchen page has everything you need to know about our kitchen remodeling and services.
Types of Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets come in several grades, separated by quality,
customization, and price.
Stock Kitchen Cabinets
Also known as construction grade or builder grade, stock cabinets are the most common – and most basic – type of kitchen cabinets. They’re produced in standardized dimensions and are either ready to assemble (RTA) or assembled.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Limited design choices |
| Wide availability | Defects can be common |
| Quick & easy to install | Low-grade |
Semi-Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets offer a happy medium between stock and custom cabinets. They provide an ideal balance of price, quality, and customization.
They come in standard sizes yet offer personalized options, such as door style, wood type, finishes, and accessories. Some even allow homeowners to choose internal features, like roll-out shelves, a stand mixer pull-out, cutlery organizers, and more.
A skilled designer can create a high-end custom look using semi-custom cabinet lines with strategic placement and modifications.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| More cost-effective than custom cabinets | Fewer choices than custom cabinets |
| Well-constructed | Standard dimensions |
| More style choices than stock cabinets |
Custom Kitchen Cabinets
Custom cabinets are made to fit a homeowner’s specific needs. They are entirely built to order and can accommodate unique kitchen layouts.
In addition, homeowners have nearly unlimited options of dimensions, materials, finishes, and internal features. These cabinets are perfect for homeowners with a larger budget who can invest in a unique style.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Custom dimensions | High cost |
| Unlimited design flexibility | Longer production times |
| Highest quality | Requires professional design & installation |
Kitchen Cabinet Sizes
Fitting plates, cups, and kitchen appliances is a challenge in everyone’s kitchen—especially when you have accumulated a lot of tableware over the years. Let’s review the different cabinet sizes to find what best fits your kitchen’s size and needs.
Kitchen Wall Cabinets
Kitchen wall cabinets hang above your countertops, increasing your kitchen’s storage capacity without wasting valuable counter or floor space. They often store items like dishes, cups, and food storage containers.
Standard kitchen wall cabinets typically measure:
Height: 12 to 42 inches
Depth: 12-18 inches, but some can be up to 24 inches deep (these are often above the fridge, washer, or dryer)
Width: 12 to 36 inches (cabinets can also be wider than 36” – they will
have a center stile)
Kitchen Base Cabinets
Kitchen base cabinets are on the floor beneath your countertops. They commonly store pots and pans, cooking utensils, or small appliances.
Standard kitchen base cabinets typically measure:
Height: Average 34 ½ inches
Depth: 24 inches
Width: 12 to 48 inches
Kitchen Pantry Cabinets
Kitchen pantry cabinets are designed to store dry goods and pantry items. Their designs often include shelves for food and drawers for spices.
Standard kitchen pantry cabinets measure:
Height: Up to 8 feet
Depth: 12 to 24 inches
Width: 1 ½ to 2 ½ feet
Corner Kitchen Cabinets
Corner kitchen cabinets are designed to maximize storage space and corner accessibility. They take advantage of potential space by making it easier to reach the back corners of your cupboards.
Many corner kitchen cabinets have features like Lazy Susans, magic corners (pull-out shelves), or blind corner pull-outs (which swing out from the side).
Corner kitchen cabinets vary in size. This is mainly because the angle of the corner can impact the available space and the cabinet size. However, there are some general size guidelines for corner cabinets.
Wall corner cabinets often (but not always) measure:
Height: 33 to 36 inches
Depth: 12 to 24 inches
Width: 24 to 42 inches
Kitchen Sink Base Cabinets
As the name implies, kitchen sink base cabinets are designed to accommodate a kitchen sink.
Kitchen sink base cabinets are usually 24 inches deep and are available in standard widths of 30, 33, or 36 inches.
Kitchen Cabinet Materials
There are several main components of a cabinet. Each part can be made from different materials.
Cabinet Box Materials
Cabinet boxes are made from various materials, including particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), plywood, and solid wood. A combination of these materials can also be used.
Cabinet Doors & Drawer Fronts
Cabinet doors and drawer fronts can be made from a variety of materials:
- Solid Wood: Natural wood like maple, hickory, cherry, birch, or oak offers a timeless look and unparalleled durability.
- Veneer: While more affordable and less prone to warping than solid wood, plywood often lacks the same classic look. You can finish, stain, or varnish it.
- Medium-density fiberboard is affordable and ideal for surface treatments like laminate or paint. Fiberboard is great for paint because you won’t see joint lines from expansion and contraction as noticeably as with painted wood.
Kitchen Cabinet Styles
Framed and frameless cabinets are the two primary kitchen cabinetry styles. The best kitchen choice depends on your preferences, budget, and desired aesthetic.
Framed Cabinets
Framed cabinets feature a visible frame surrounding each door and drawer, offering a traditional and sometimes ornate look. They are typically more affordable than frameless cabinets and offer a wider range of door styles.
Frameless Cabinets
Frameless cabinets are sleek and minimalist, with doors attached directly to the cabinet box. This maximizes storage space and creates a contemporary look. They are generally more expensive than framed cabinets and offer fewer door styles.
Cabinet Door Designs
Cabinet door designs can affect the overall style of a kitchen. When choosing a door design, consider the look and feel you want your kitchen to have. A few popular options include:
Shaker: Classic and timeless, this design features a simple, flat center panel framed by a raised edge. It’s known for its clean lines and versatility, fitting well in traditional and modern settings.
Raised Panel: This traditional style features a raised center panel, often with decorative moldings. It creates a more ornate and classic look.
Flat Panel: These doors have a flat surface with no raised or recessed panels. They are sleek, modern, and easy to clean.
Other Door Designs: There are many more cabinet door designs, including glass front, beadboard, louvered, open, and cathedral. Do your research, and if you can, visit a showroom to see examples in person.
We have three showrooms in the Rochester, NY area: one in Spencerport, another in Webster, and a third in Batavia.
Kitchen Cabinet Finishes
One of the most exciting parts of choosing cabinets is deciding the finish and color. As you explore options, consider your personal style, kitchen design, and desired level of maintenance.
| Finish | Durability | Aesthetics | Maintenance | Versatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painted | High; depends on quality | Wide color range, modern or traditional look | Easy to clean, may need touch-ups | High, many colors and styles |
| Stained | Very high | Natural wood grain, warm and inviting | Regular cleaning and resealing needed | Moderate, depends on wood and stain |
| Glazed | Moderate | Depth and dimension, antique look | May require frequent cleaning and touch-ups | High, can be combined with paint or stain |
| Distressed | Moderate | Rustic, vintage look | Minimal maintenance | Moderate, suitable for certain styles |
| Laminate | Very high | Wide range of colors and textures | Easy to clean | High, many colors and patterns |
The choices of cabinet finishes are almost endless; a few more include glossy, satin, unfinished, thermofoil, and duraform.
Cabinet Hardware
Remember the cabinet hardware! Although it may seem like a small detail, hardware plays a significant role in your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetics.
From knobs to pulls to hinges, the proper hardware will enhance the style of your cabinets, complementing their color, finish, and overall design.
Kitchens By Oaks
At Kitchens by Oaks, you will work with a designer who will create a custom design for your home, complete with features tailored to your needs. Our designers will help you through your remodel and make the process as efficient as possible. Contact our team to make an appointment today.
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