Cutting Down Cabinet Size for a Seamless Kitchen Aesthetic
Many homeowners dream of a kitchen with a contemporary, seamless look. While open concept spaces help create this effect, bulky standard-depth cabinets can disrupt the aesthetic. Trimming down cabinet size is one way to cultivate a lighter, more streamlined kitchen design.
Shallower cabinets not only provide a cleaner appearance but also improve accessibility and storage efficiency. By customizing cabinet dimensions, it's possible to achieve your ideal balance of form and function. With careful planning and execution, reducing cabinet depth yields a crisp, cohesive style.
Standard Kitchen Cabinet Depths
Most new kitchen cabinets come in standard widths and depths to accommodate common items. Before adjusting these dimensions, it's helpful to understand typical base and wall cabinet sizing.
Typical Base Cabinet Dimensions
Base cabinets have a standard depth of 24 inches. This provides ample room to store large pots, pans, and other bulky cooking items. Full-size appliances like dishwashers and trash compactors are also designed to fit 24-inch deep base cabinets.
For kitchens with an eat-in dining area, deeper 27-30 inch cabinets may be used to allow room for plates and serving dishes. But in general, 24 inches is the norm for base cabinet depth in most kitchen layouts.
Typical Wall Cabinet Dimensions
Wall cabinets are commonly 24 inches deep as well. This depth accommodates dinner plates, bowls, mugs, and glassware when stacked vertically. Upper cabinets at 18 inches deep are available but limit storage space, especially for larger plates and serving pieces. With standard 24-inch depth, wall cabinets can effectively store all your dining and glassware items.
Why Go Shallower?
When remodeling or building a new kitchen, some homeowners opt to reduce the depth of their cabinets from the common 24 inches. What motivates this choice? There are a few key reasons.
Appearance and Aesthetics
Shallower cabinets create a lighter, airier look that opens up smaller kitchens. Rather than bulky protruding cabinets, a reduced depth provides a more contemporary streamlined appearance.
For modern, transitional, or contemporary kitchens, minimizing cabinet depth complements the clean lines of these styles. Visually, narrower cabinets draw less focus, allowing other elements like backsplashes and countertops to shine.
Improved Accessibility
Another benefit of minimized cabinet depth is easier access to contents. Reaching into the back of 24-inch cabinets can strain and cause annoyance. With shallower cabinets, the entire space is within easy reach.
For short or mobility-impaired homeowners, reducing cabinet depth improves ergonomics. Items can be grabbed quickly without struggling to extend arms far back into a deep cabinet void.
Streamlined Storage
Standard 24-inch depth cabinets often have wasted space, with items getting buried deep within. Shallower cabinets allow contents to be stacked more efficiently. Everything remains visible and organized since the area is compressed.
Slimmer cabinets prevent bulky cookware and small items from getting lost in a cavernous depths. A reduced depth of 18-21 inches provides ample efficient storage for most kitchens.
Planning Your Custom Depth
To reap the benefits of shallower cabinets, the first step is planning your ideal depth. Consider how you use your space and measure carefully before cutting down cabinets.
Assessing Your Needs
Take an inventory of what you typically store in existing base and wall cabinets. Note the sizes of pans, dishes, glasses, and food boxes to determine what dimensions can effectively accommodate these.
Also factor in your kitchen's footprint and layout. A galley style kitchen may require deeper lower cabinets for additional storage. With an open concept kitchen, shallower wall cabinets could suffice since base cabinets provide most storage.
Choosing a Depth
Most homeowners trim standard cabinets down to 18-21 inches deep. This achieves a streamlined look while still offering practical storage capacity.
For base cabinets, balance the visual impact against functionality. Drawers may need to be more shallow to roll out smoothly. In some cases, specialty drawer glides are needed for reduced cabinet depths.
Wall cabinets can usually be trimmed with fewer usage issues. If 21 inches allows all dishware to stack appropriately, this depth optimization creates a lighter look.
Measuring Twice, Cutting Once
Careful measurement is crucial when trimming down cabinets. Remove doors, shelves and drawers first to expose side panels. Measure the desired depth and mark cut lines incrementally.
Cutting too much off can't be undone, so use a ruler and level to sneak up on the perfect measurement. Cutting off 1/4" at a time allows the depth to be precisely customized.
Executing the Cabinet Resizing
When measurements are finalized, it's time to start trimming. This process requires proper tools and attention to detail. Follow these steps for smooth cabinet resizing.
Tools and Materials Needed
Gather these supplies before beginning to cut down cabinets:
- Jigsaw or circular saw
- Drill
- Tape measure
- Sandpaper
- Wood glue
- Cabinet trim pieces
Step-by-Step Process
Follow this methodical sequence when trimming cabinet size:
- Remove doors, drawers, shelves from cabinet box.
- Carefully measure desired depth and mark cut lines.
- Cut side, top and bottom panels along marks.
- Smooth cut edges lightly with sandpaper.
- Reattach trimmed panels using wood glue.
- Replace shelves, drawers and doors.
- Install trim pieces as needed to fill gaps.
Modifying Drawers and Shelves
In addition to the cabinet box, existing drawers and shelves may need adjustments. For shallower cabinets:
- Replace drawer glides with shorter versions if needed.
- Cut shelves and drawers as required to fit new interior depth.
Test that drawers slide smoothly after installing in resized cabinet. Make any additional tweaks to achieve full functionality.
Achieving a Seamless Look
When installing shallower cabinets, consider how they integrate with surrounding kitchen elements. Maintain alignment for a cohesive appearance.
Transitioning to Adjacent Cabinets
If unable to resize all cabinets, match new depth to existing kitchen cabinetry. Filler panels on sides of shallower cabinets transition them flush with deeper cabinets.
Pairing with Countertops
Allow for appropriate countertop overhang when lowering cabinet depth. Coordinating these two elements creates an integrated look.
Adding Trim and Molding
Gaps between reduced-depth cabinets and walls can be covered by trim pieces. Decorative molding provides a finished edge with custom cabinet sizes.
When designed thoughtfully, shallower cabinetry aligns with countertops, backsplashes, and other kitchen features. Smooth transitions between new and existing cabinetry maintain a holistic aesthetic.
Standard 24-inch deep cabinets may overwhelm small or contemporary kitchens. Trimming cabinet size down to 18 or 21 inches provides visual appeal and improved functionality.
With careful measurements and incremental cuts, cabinets can be resized while maintaining sturdiness. Drawers, shelves and doors may need adjustments to accommodate new depths.
Achieving a streamlined, seamless look requires attention to transitions between old and new cabinetry. But with some strategic trimming, shallower cabinets create a lighter, airier kitchen design.