Optimize Your Kitchen With The Right Lower Cabinet Depth
When remodeling or building a new kitchen, one of the most important design decisions is choosing the right lower cabinet depth. The standard depth is 24 inches, but shallow depths of 12-18 inches are growing in popularity. The right depth impacts the kitchen's storage capacity, accessibility, and workflow. By balancing your needs, you can optimize lower cabinets to suit your lifestyle.
Before deciding on lower cabinet depth, take detailed measurements of your existing kitchen or new layout. Map out boundaries, openings, and all obstacles that impact placement. Analyze how you currently use storage space and where you need improvements. This upfront planning is essential to make an informed decision on standard versus shallow lower cabinetry.
Standard 24-Inch Lower Cabinets Offer Tried and True Storage
For decades, the standard kitchen base cabinet depth has been 24 inches. This depth provides ample pantry storage space for large pots, pans, appliances, and other bulky cooking items. The familiar dimensions make it easy to design and replace standard cabinets. When opting for open shelving, the deeper cabinets offer plenty of room for displaying items while maintaining accessible workflow.
Standard depth lower cabinets can accommodate pull-out shelves, rotating lazy susans, and other storage optimizing accessories. The full 24 inch depth provides room for installation and usability of these items. Standard cabinets also enable the use of deep, full-extension drawers which efficiently utilize all vacant space. These deep drawers facilitate smooth kitchen workflow by eliminating the need to reach far back into lower cabinet interiors.
Maximizing Standard Depth in a Smaller Kitchen
Standard 24 inch lower cabinets can work smartly, even for a small kitchen layout. Place lower cabinets that hold lesser used large items, like pans and mixers, along the walls or boundaries. This preserves the floor space for better traffic flow. Strategize cabinet and drawer placement based on frequency of use and necessary accessibility.
Take advantage of innovative corner cabinet storage solutions. Lazy susans, deep drawers, and blind cabinet optimizations increase access and visibility of standard corner depths. Mimic the feeling of openness by using mirrors to reflect light and views of other rooms. With some creative planning, standard lower cabinet depths can comfortably suit smaller kitchen dimensions.
Shallow Lower Cabinets Open Up Floor Space
Shallow lower cabinets provide a depth typically ranging from 12 to 18 inches. Significantly less than the standard 24 inches, this reduced depth requires custom order cabinetry in most cases. The noticeable benefit is increased floor space. Shallower lower cabinets improve accessibility and ergonomics by allowing closer and easier reach.
Since less floor space is occupied, traffic flow improves in tight kitchens. You gain inches of maneuverability for multiple cooks. The minimal depth also facilitates opening cabinet doors and drawers when you are working at an adjacent countertop. For a wheelchair accessible kitchen, the shallow lower cabinets greatly improve approachability.
Get Creative with Shallow Cabinet Storage Solutions
To compensate for the decreased storage capacity, use organizational tools like roll-out trays, lazy susans, and compartmentalized drawers. Shallow cabinets make it easier to effectively use the full vertical space. Opt for tall lower cabinets to store small items and serving ware. Continue using standard depth and full extension for lower drawers. This preserves storage volume while the shallower cabinets increase accessibility.
Take advantage of the wide range of specialty cabinetry pieces designed to optimize shallow cabinet storage. Examples include spice pull downs, cookie sheet holders, and customized drawer inserts. Use your unique layout and kitchen needs to guide these specialized additions when planning. Partner with your cabinet maker to customize options. With some clever solutions, shallow lower cabinets can work wonders even in the smallest kitchens.
When deciding between standard and shallow lower cabinet depths, there are several factors at play. The existing kitchen boundaries and openings will influence viable dimensions and traffic flow. How you use your current storage space also guides the depth needs for an updated kitchen. Analyze which cabinets frustrate you for accessibility and what you run out of room for.
In most cases, the tried and true 24 inch standard lower cabinet depth suits the needs of kitchen storage and workflow. Shallow works best for those requiring maximum accessibility or lacking space for standard depths. Collaborate with your cabinet supplier to determine the best options for your unique kitchen. With some innovative planning and customization, both standard and shallow lower cabinets can beautifully optimize your cooking space.