Stand Alone Kitchen Cabinets - Materials, Sizes and Styles to Fit Your Space
Updating your kitchen with new stand alone cabinets can completely transform the look and functionality of the space. But with so many sizes, materials and styles to choose from, where do you start?
We'll explore popular cabinet materials from wood to metal, standard cabinet dimensions for base units and specialty sizes. You'll get an overview of common cabinet door styles and specialty storage solutions. We'll also look at countertop pairings, hardware and finishes to pull your kitchen design together.
Cabinet Materials - Balancing Beauty, Durability and Cost
The material you choose for your new stand alone kitchen cabinets impacts aesthetics, durability and budget. Here are some of the most popular options along with their key benefits and drawbacks.
Beautiful Wood Cabinet Styles
Wood remains a top choice for many homeowners thanks to its natural beauty, solid construction and timeless appeal. Solid wood cabinets offer the highest quality, with a smooth finish and ability to be sanded and refinished over time.
Plywood cabinets with a wood veneer offer a more budget-friendly alternative. The plywood core is stable and resists warping while the wood veneer provides an attractive finish. MDF cabinets with a wood veneer outer layer are another lower-priced wood option.
Oak, maple and hickory are common wood species for cabinets, with oak bringing nice grain patterns and maple offering a creamy white finish. Cherry wood has an elegant reddish-brown hue that darkens naturally over time. The wood finish - whether paint, stain or glaze - also impacts the final look.
The main downside of wood cabinets is the required maintenance to keep them looking pristine. Regular polishing, resealing and touching up any nicks or scratches is advised, especially for cabinets near an oven or sink.
Low Maintenance Laminate and Thermofoil
For a more affordable, low maintenance alternative to real wood, laminate and thermofoil cabinets are popular options. Laminate cabinets consist of a laminate sheet glued to a composite wood substrate while thermofoil involves a thin plastic film pressed onto a wooden frame.
The durable laminate and thermofoil finishes resist chipping, moisture and stains, making them ideal for busy kitchens. They provide consistent finishes not always possible with real wood. Popular laminate styles mimic wood grains and colors. The seamless finish of thermofoil also lends to more contemporary, minimalist looks.
While laminate and thermofoil hold up well to wear-and-tear, the limited finish and door style options don't provide the custom high-end look of real wood cabinets. Grain patterns are not as natural and depth is lacking.
Stand Alone Cabinet Sizes - Optimizing Storage in Your Kitchen
Cabinet dimensions and sizes range widely based on the cabinet's purpose within the kitchen. Corner cabinets, base cabinets and wall cabinets all serve different functions. Keep these standard sizes in mind when designing your new kitchen layout.
Base Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions
Base cabinets typically range from 30-36 inches high to provide adequate clearance below your countertops. Widths span anywhere from 9 inches for filler cabinets to 60 inches for a large single base. Standard depths are between 20 to 24 inches deep.
Some common base unit dimensions are:
- 36 inches high x 24 inches deep x 30 inches wide - common single base unit
- 36 inches high x 24 inches deep x 15 inches wide - standard drawer base
- 36 inches high x 24 inches deep x 9 inches wide - base cabinet filler
Sizing Tips
Take measurements of your existing cookware and small appliances when selecting cabinet sizes. Allow for some growth as well. You want to maximize storage capacity without ending up with cabinets too deep or tall to access contents easily.
Custom sizing is ideal for particularly small or uniquely laid out kitchens. Precisely tailored cabinets make use of every inch while ensuring contents are easily accessible.
Cabinet Styles - Mix and Match for Your Dream Kitchen
With a wide selection of door styles, storage solutions and aesthetic elements, stand alone cabinets present abundant possibilities to create your dream kitchen. Here are some top options to consider when selecting styles.
Door Styles
Simple Shaker style cabinet doors with recessed centering panels and clean lines provide understated elegance perfect for both rustic and contemporary kitchens.
For a minimalist, sleek look, opt for slab cabinet doors lacking any embossing or indentations. The flat, full overlay fronts have modern appeal.
Inset cabinet doors nested inside the cabinet frame have a furniture-like, built-in appearance. Partial and full overlay doors mount over the cabinet frame for a streamlined look.
Storage Solutions
Roll-out shelves, Lazy Susans and specialty drawer organizers all enhance storage and access to the contents of base cabinets. Roll-outs and drawer dividers customize your layout.
Blind corner cabinets fitted with either lazy susans or corner drawers provide storage versatility for difficult angled spaces in kitchens.
Tying It All Together
Once you've settled on cabinet materials, sizes and styles, consider additional elements that bring the whole design together.
Finishes and Hardware
Painted, stained or naturally finished cabinets pair beautifully with metals like brushed nickel and brass or satin nickel for a more modern look. Pulls and knobs come in endless styles.
Countertop Pairings
Match your cabinet finish and style with complementary countertop materials like quartz, granite, butcher block or concrete. Your countertop vendor can fabricate a proper overhang.
Don't forget the finishing touch of a tile or stone backsplash and accent lighting under cabinets or inside glass cabinets.
Proper cabinet installation ensures your new kitchen gets off to the right start. Hiring a professional is advised for best results. They will level cabinets, secure to wall studs, join cabinet frames and adjust as needed.
Take your time selecting stand alone cabinets since they lay the foundation for your whole kitchen design. Keep the tips above in mind and you'll end up with a beautiful, functional kitchen arranged just how you envisioned. Have fun with the wide range of possibilities stand alone cabinets provide!