The Ultimate Kitchen Cabinet Guide

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. 

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.

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.

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. They have pre-cut openings for plumbing and reinforced structures to support the sink’s weight.

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.

• Plywood: 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.

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: Quality You Can Trust

Kitchens by Oaks in Rochester, NY, is here to help with the kitchen cabinet selection process. Start your remodel today and schedule a complimentary consultation at any of our three showrooms. During your appointment, our professional designers will help you decide the best cabinets for you and your home.