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Kitchen Cabinet Design and Layout Tips    

  1. The three most used elements of a kitchen are the sink, stove, and refrigerator. To minimize wasted motion, situate each to form a triangle with a perimeter less than 18 feet.
  2. The oven and refrigerator should not be adjacent. The dishwasher should be located nearby the sink and if possible, position the sink under a window with a light above it.
  3. The number of doors for each cabinet is based on the door width not exceeding its height. For cabinets between 2 to 4 feet wide, use 2 doors.
  4. Use false drawer fronts where drawers not possible (e.g., under sink) for a consistent look.
  5. Allow 18" of counter space on either side of the range or microwave.
  6. Allow 18" of counter space on door-opening side of the refrigerator.
  7. Allow 30" of counter space to right of sink, 24" to left
  8. Provide a corridor width or passing space of no less than 36".
  9. Maximum height of a shelf above a counter top is 42" for an average sized adult. 36" is optimal.

Standard Dimensions of Wall Cabinets

  • Depth (25" deep counter top) 12-1/4"
  • Depth (30" deep counter top) 15"
  • Height with full soffit 30"
  • Height with no soffit 42"
  • Height of cabinet above counter top 18"
  • Height of cabinet above stove top 24"
  • Height of highest shelf 60" - 68"
  • Width to match base cabinet

Standard Dimensions of Base Cabinets

  • Cabinet depth 24"
  • Counter top depth (1" overlap) 25"
  • Height from floor to counter top 36"
  • Splashboard height 4"
  • Toe kick height 4"
  • Toe kick depth 3"
  • Depth of drawer above cabinet doors 4"

Standard Dimensions of Counters

  • Counter top height 36"
  • Counter length per person 21"
  • Depth (one-sided seating) 15"
  • Depth (two-sided seating) 30" minimum
  • For the physically challenged:
    • Counter top height 31"
    • Under counter access width 30"
    • Under counter access height 29-1/2"

Standard Dimensions of Kitchen Appliances

The dimensions of most appliances used for residential purposes in the U.S. fall within the ranges given below. Although these dimensions are useful for planning purposes, obtain actual measurements before starting cabinet construction. In general, major appliances are designed to fit beneath a 24 inch wide counter top.

 Appliance Height  Width  Depth 
 Cook top 2" - 3"  12" - 48"  23" - 26" 
 Dishwasher 33" - 35"  23" - 24"  23" - 26" 
 Microwave 13" - 18"  21" - 30"  14" - 22" 
 Range , slide in 35" - 36"  19" - 40"  24" - 26" 
 Range w/ upper oven 61" - 68"  30" - 40"  25" - 28" 
 Range, drop in 23" - 24"  23" - 24"  22" - 25" 
 Range hood 5" - 8"  24" - 72"  12" - 72" 
 Refrigerator 55" - 70"  24" - 42"  26" - 33" 
 Trash Compactor 33" - 35"  12" - 15"  18" - 24" 
 Wall Oven, single 23" - 25"  21" - 24"  21" - 23" 
 Wall Oven, double 39" - 50"  21" - 24"  21" - 23" 
 Wall Oven w/ Broiler 38" - 40"  21" - 24"  21" - 23" 


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