The depth of your cabinets depends on whether you’re looking at base or wall units.

As an industry standard, most base cabinets are 24 inches deep. This size makes it easier to reach items in the very back of the cabinet without sacrificing usable counter space.

As for wall cabinets, they tend to be a bit shallower by design and are typically 12 inches deep. However, cabinets that are designed to go over other appliances, such as microwaves, stoves, or refrigerators, could be as deep as 18–24 inches. 

Before you schedule an appointment at our showroom and start picking out your favorite styles, it’s a good idea to measure your kitchen cabinets. Since cabinets are box-shaped, you’ll need to measure for depth, height, and width.

• Width: Go beneath the overhang of your countertop to the wall behind the cabinets and measure the width from the back.
• Height: For base cabinets, measure from where the cabinet meets the floor to where the cabinet ends, excluding the countertop. With wall cabinets, simply measure from the bottom to the top.
• Depth: Take the hook on the end of your tape measure and attach it to the back. Then, pull the tape all the way to the front of the cabinet’s face frame to determine the depth.

Painted cabinets can chip and show their age more easily, especially if you’re not a professional painter. Ultimately, your cabinets will last longer and look better if you purchase a cabinet in the color of your choice from the start.

The cost of kitchen cabinets will depend on the type and brand of cabinets you want for your kitchen. Most kitchen cabinets are priced per linear foot, so it’s beneficial to know the dimensions you’ll be working with.

• In-stock kitchen cabinets: Available options can range from anywhere between $100–300 per linear foot installed.

• Semi-custom cabinets: Special order kitchen cabinets run between $150–600 per linear foot.

• Custom cabinets: If you want to add fully customized cabinets to your kitchen, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500–1,200 per linear foot.

When you’re trying to choose kitchen cabinets, it can be easy to develop a sense of decision paralysis. Understandably so—they’re the backbone of your kitchen layout.

These direct comparisons between different options will help you find the best cabinets for your kitchen.

36” vs. 42” Kitchen Cabinets and Other Sizes

There are a lot of variations in the sizing for kitchen cabinets, especially wall units. Widths in particular can range from 9–48 inches, meaning there is a lot of room to accommodate the exact dimensions of your kitchen. However, when looking at wall cabinets in particular, you’ll typically find models that are either 36 inches or 42 inches tall. 

It’s hard to go wrong with a 36-inch wall cabinet, since these are fairly standard. However, if you’re in need of a better storage solution, 42 inches is a great option. It’s also ideal for accentuating your ceiling height in the kitchen, or providing additional accessibility to your shelves if you have them installed slightly lower.

No matter which size you’re considering, our team of kitchen design experts will help you find the cabinet style and finish that works for you. They will always try to maximize the use of the space in your kitchen to make it fit your needs, no matter the size of the cabinets involved.

Painted vs. Stained Kitchen Cabinets

Painted cabinets can be great for bringing an airy, picturesque quality to your kitchen. They also allow you to decorate with any color you desire. Transform your kitchen with cool blue, earthy green, luxurious black, bright white, or any color of the rainbow.

However, stained cabinets are great for showing off the natural tones of wood cabinets—especially if you’re planning to spring for expensive woods like hickory or cherry. The choice ultimately comes down to preference, and knowing exactly what type of style you’ll enjoy looking at every day for potentially decades to come.

Framed vs. Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Framed cabinets are called such because they have what’s known as a “face frame,” which means the rails and stiles making up the exterior of the cabinet are extended inward slightly. Any cabinet doors are then typically attached to this frame. This style is strong and sturdy by design and lends itself well to traditional, country, and modern styles of kitchens.

Frameless, or European style, kitchen cabinets have the doors attached directly to the cabinet box. To compensate for the weight of the door, many manufacturers will use a thicker and stronger cabinet box to reinforce its structural integrity. These cabinets typically have very little space between the doors and drawers, imparting a more contemporary look. Fittingly, they go well with contemporary and modern European-style kitchen layouts.

On average, kitchen cabinets last for up to 25 years. However, a high-quality cabinet that is properly cared for can last even longer than that. 

One of the biggest factors in how long your kitchen cabinets will last is the frequency of use. If you’re constantly using your cabinets and weighing them down with cast iron and other heavy kitchen equipment, that can shorten their lifespan. However, it helps to add shelf liners to prevent pots, pans, and plates from damaging the interior.