How do you figure out what cabinets will go in a space?

7 years ago

Working on re-designing my kitchen layout, and I know the footprint that I want, but how do I know exactly what cabinets will fit in the space? For me, its kind of like putting a jigsaw puzzle together without being able to see the pieces. I can make up cabinet sizes, but it doesn't do me any good if they don't actually exist in real life.

In the renderings attached, I have 5'5" between the right edge of the dishwasher and the corner, and from the corner to the stove I have 16". How do I figure out what cabinets are available that I can use in that space?

Featured Answer

mrspete

7 years ago

In very, very general terms: Place your appliances ... plan for your corners ... preserve good walkways ... then fill in the rest, assuming 3" dimensions.

Once you've done that, go through all your kitchen items and determine where you'd place each item in your new categories -- where will the toaster and the microwave go? will your silverware be handy for both your prep area and the dishwasher? will your glassware be convenient to both the dishwasher and the refrigerator?

Mentally go through the steps of preparing several of your favorite meals. Is your food stored in a convenient place? can you open the oven and the refrigerator at the same time? does everything move in a straight line (rather than forcing you to backtrack)?

Post your plans here so additional eyes can "proofread" for you.

Once you've done these things, take your plans to a Kitchen Designer and ask him or her to "polish your plan" and take care of things like corner fillers ... and order your cabinets.

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Comments (11)

cpartist
7 years ago
Mike lay out a floor plan in 2d with the placement you want of the fridge sink and stove and I'm sure we can come up with something that will work great for you.

I believe Ikea cabinets come in 3" increments if you go with them? At least they used to. So you design in 3" increments.
bwwhite49
7 years ago
I have the same problem so I'm going to Home Depot or Lowes and let them do it.
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DIY2Much2Do
7 years ago
Most off-the-shelf cabinet lines use 3" width increments, but knowing which cabinet brand you will use would help you narrow down the specifics. For example, here is the IKEA Sektion planning document. Starting on page 34, they list every available size.

If 3" increments are too limiting, you could use custom RTA cabinets. Barker Cabinets has a useful website that lets you see the available cabinets and sizes, which you can customize to 1/4" in width and height, and 1" increments in depth.
cpartist
7 years ago
jtaime2 you'd be better off posting your layout here and letting the folks here figure it out for you. Very few HD peeps really have the skills to do it well.
User
7 years ago
Don't forget you need 3" of filler for both sides of the corner so that your drawers and hardware clear each other when opened.

I have that same basic layout with peninsula, sink, DW, and stove. You're really compressing the cook's work space and losing upper cabinet storage for glasses and dishes so that you can add three more seats to your dining room. Do you plan on using the drawer right of your sink for your dish and glass storage? In that case, what goes in that hard-to-access cabinet directly over the peninsula?
Michael Lamb
Original Author
7 years ago
mayflowers - The stuff that we never use but can't bear to throw away will get stored in the cabinet over the peninsula. I'll only have to get up there twice - after the reno is done, and when we move out. Yeah, I know its not an idea place for a cabinet. But I'm trying to maximize cabinet space while working within some constraints.

Everyday dishes and glasses will probably go over the microwave on a lower shelf. I'm 5'11" and the wife is 5'10", so we can reach. Keeps the breakable stuff out of the toddler's reach too :-)
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
Are you reconfiguring your kitchen? If not, your present cabinets are nice - perhaps just paint them? You don't mention from whom you're getting new cabinets - they should do the measuring and order the appropriate sizes for you.
Michael Lamb
Original Author
7 years ago
The contractor I am using uses Diamond Cabinets, their distinction line.
AnnKH
7 years ago
Definitely post a floor plan with dimensions, including locations of doors, windows, etc. Right off the bat I can see that you probably don't have enough filler for the fridge door to open; the narrow upper cabinet next to the fridge will be virtually useless (I had 12" uppers that were awful); the narrow drawers next to the fridge will be even worse.

It looks like you have a pretty good space to work with - give the talented folks here a chance to make it wonderful for you!
User
7 years ago
Are you considering hiring a kitchen designer? Ours so so helpful with creative configurations and specialty cabinets. I feel we now use space so much more efficiently, and we knew everything would fit-no whoopsies.