Kitchen Cabinet Types & Sizes: The Complete Guide

Walking into a kitchen cabinet showroom (or browsing online) can feel overwhelming. Base cabinets, wall cabinets, blind corners, lazy Susans, drawer bases — the options seem endless. But here's the thing: every kitchen, no matter how complex, is built from the same handful of cabinet types arranged to fit your specific space.

This guide breaks down every cabinet type, what it's for, and the standard sizes available. By the end, you'll be able to look at any kitchen layout and understand exactly what's going on.

Base Cabinets: The Foundation of Your Kitchen

Base cabinets sit on the floor and support your countertops. They're the workhorses of the kitchen — they hold your heaviest items, house your sink and cooktop, and define the overall layout.

Standard dimensions: 34-1/2" high × 24" deep (countertop adds another 1-1/2" for a total of 36" height)

Single Door Base (B12 – B21)

The most basic cabinet: one door, one drawer above. Available in widths from 12" to 21". These fill narrow spaces and work alongside larger cabinets. The B12 (12" wide) is perfect for tight spots next to appliances.

Double Door Base (B24 – B42)

Two doors with one or two drawers above. Widths range from 24" to 42". The B30 (30" wide) and B36 (36" wide) are the most commonly used sizes — they fit under standard countertop runs and provide excellent storage.

Drawer Base (DB12 – DB36)

Three full drawers instead of doors — ideal for utensils, linens, baking supplies, and anything you want at arm's reach. Available from 12" to 36" wide. Pro tip: place a DB18 or DB21 next to your range for cooking utensils and spice storage.

Sink Base (SB24 – SB42)

Specifically designed for under-sink plumbing with a false drawer front and open interior. Widths from 24" to 42". The SB33 and SB36 are the most popular sizes for standard kitchen sinks.

Farm Sink Base (FS36)

A specialty base designed for farmhouse (apron-front) sinks. The 36" wide cabinet has a modified front cutout to accommodate the exposed sink front — one of the hottest design trends right now.

Corner Base Options

Corners are the trickiest part of any kitchen layout, and there are several ways to handle them:

• Blind Base Corner (BBC39/42 – BBC42/45): Tucks into the corner with one accessible door. The most affordable corner solution.
• Lazy Susan Base (LSB33 – LSB36): Features rotating shelves that maximize corner storage. Available in 33" and 36" sizes.
• Diagonal Sink Base (DSB36 – DSB42): Angles across the corner, designed specifically for corner sink installations.

Wall Cabinets: Upper Storage

Wall cabinets mount above your countertops and provide most of your kitchen's visible storage. They're where your daily dishes, glasses, and pantry items live.

Standard dimensions: 12" deep × varying heights (30", 36", or 42" tall)

Choosing Your Wall Cabinet Height

Wall cabinet height depends on your ceiling height and design preferences:

• 30" tall: Standard for 8-foot ceilings. Leaves space above for crown molding or decorative items.
• 36" tall: Great for 8-foot or 9-foot ceilings. Provides more storage with minimal visual gap above.
• 42" tall: Ideal for 9-foot or 10-foot ceilings. Reaches nearly to the ceiling for maximum storage — a popular choice for modern kitchens that want the "ceiling-height cabinet" look.

Standard Wall Cabinets (W0930 – W4242)

Single or double door cabinets with adjustable shelves. Widths from 9" to 42". The W3036 (30" wide × 36" tall) is the most common wall cabinet in American kitchens.

Wall Glass Door Cabinets

Same dimensions as standard wall cabinets, but with glass-panel doors for displaying dishes, glassware, or decorative items. Available in every size — just add "GD" to the model number (e.g., W3036GD).

Wall Corner Cabinets

• Diagonal Wall Corner (WDC24): Angles across the corner at 24" × 24" with heights of 30", 36", or 42".
• Blind Wall Corner (WBC27): A 27" wide cabinet that tucks into the corner.
• Pie-Cut Wall Corner (WPC24): Similar to diagonal but with a different door configuration.

Tall Cabinets: Pantry, Oven, and Utility

Tall cabinets run from floor to near-ceiling height, providing massive storage in a relatively small footprint.

Standard dimensions: 24" deep × 84", 90", or 96" tall

Pantry Cabinets (TP1884 – TP3696)

Available in 18", 24", 30", and 36" widths with 4–6 adjustable shelves. The 18" wide shelf pantry is perfect for narrow spaces, while the 36" wide versions can store an entire family's dry goods. Choose between 84", 90", or 96" heights depending on your ceiling.

Oven Cabinets (OC3184 – OC3196)

Designed to house built-in wall ovens with a shelf above and three drawers below. Standard 31-1/2" wide to fit standard oven cutouts. Available in 84", 90", and 96" heights.

Specialty & Accessory Cabinets

Microwave Cabinets

• Base Microwave (BMC27): A base cabinet with an open microwave shelf and drawer below.
• Wall Microwave (WM27): Mounts above the range with two doors and/or a shelf above the microwave opening.

Bridge Cabinets

Short wall cabinets (12", 15", 18", 21", or 24" tall) that span above windows, ranges, or refrigerators. Available in widths from 24" to 39" and depths of 12", 15", 18", 21", and 24". These complete the look above appliances or windows.

Wine Rack (WR3015 – WR3615)

Wall-mounted wine storage in 30" or 36" widths. Holds bottles horizontally in a decorative, open-front design.

Wall End Shelf (OE1230 – OE1242)

Open shelving that attaches to the end of a wall cabinet run, creating a decorative display area. Available at 30", 36", and 42" heights.

Spice Pull-Out Base (BF09-PO – BF12-PO)

Narrow pull-out cabinets (9" or 12" wide) with built-in spice rack shelving. Perfect for filling small gaps in your cabinet run while adding incredibly useful storage.

Waste Basket Cabinet (B18TR)

An 18" wide pull-out base that includes two waste baskets and a drawer — keeping trash and recycling hidden and organized.

Bathroom Vanity Cabinets

Bathroom vanities follow the same construction principles as kitchen cabinets but with different dimensions:

Standard dimensions: 34-1/2" high × 21" deep (shallower than kitchen bases)

• Vanity Drawer Base (VDB12 – VDB36): Three-drawer vanities from 12" to 36" wide.
• Vanity Sink Base (VSB24 – VSB36): Two doors with false drawer front, sized for bathroom sinks.
• Vanity Sink Drawer (VSD30 – VSD60): Combines sink space with functional drawers for larger bathrooms.

Finishing Pieces: Molding, Fillers & Panels

No kitchen is complete without the finishing touches:

• Crown Molding: Tops off your wall cabinets for a polished, built-in look. Multiple profiles available.
• Light Rail Molding: Mounts under wall cabinets to conceal under-cabinet lighting.
• Base & Wall Fillers (3" or 6"): Fill gaps between cabinets and walls for a seamless fit.
• End Panels: Cover exposed cabinet sides on the ends of runs or where cabinets meet appliances.
• Toe Kick: Covers the recessed space at the base of your cabinets.
• Dishwasher Panel (DWR3): Matches your cabinet fronts to integrate your dishwasher seamlessly.
• Refrigerator End Panel (REP2496): A tall panel to finish the side of your refrigerator enclosure.
• Wainscot Panels: Decorative panels for island backs or accent walls.

How to Choose the Right Sizes for Your Kitchen

Choosing cabinet sizes isn't just about what fits — it's about optimizing your storage and workflow. Here are a few rules of thumb:

• Sink base: Match to your sink size (most undermount sinks need a 33" or 36" base)
• Range area: Leave the exact width of your range open, with base cabinets on either side
• Dishwasher: Standard dishwashers need a 24" opening adjacent to your sink base
• Refrigerator: Leave 33"–36" for a standard fridge, with tall or wall cabinets above if desired
• Fillers: Budget for 3" or 6" fillers at corners and wall ends — almost every kitchen needs them

All Cabinet Types Available in 10 Finishes

Every cabinet type listed above is available in all 10 of our finishes across three door styles: Ardelle Traditional Shaker (6 finishes), Tallis Beveled Shaker (2 finishes), and Slim Shaker (2 finishes). Not sure which finish is right for your space? Order a $25 door sample to see and feel the quality at home.