How do do you figure out dimensions for cabinets?

Question

We are preparing our own blueprints for the house we want to build. I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to do the measurements for the cabinets the kitchen itself will be 12x14 with a 30" range, 33"x22" sink ,a 26 cbf refridgerator and 24"dishwasher. We want to do them as a U shape top and bottom and 24" deep. Any ideas on how I could make this easier or some advice. I do thank you ahead of time.

Answer 1

Hi young lady.........Just get a piece or grid paper 1/4" and each block or square represents 1foot....so 14 cubes would be 14 ft...........walk your way right around the kichen.....If you are buying box cabinets.........they come in 3'' multiples...so that's like....12....15...18....21....24....up to ? maybe 42 or 48" you can buy cor.cab...with piano hinges so the whole corner opens to a lazy Susan or just about any thing you can dream of.......sure you know that.  Cabinets usally are 24'' deep for the bottom or base units....12'' for the uppers....but there are some special ones if needed.......and if you need fillers , they make prefinished sticks to space and fill between units to get your desired look. Just s***w them together and s***w them to the wall.......it's not hard.....maintain level all the way around the room.........put a level line on the wall totally around the kitchen and shim and block as necessary.As far as opening sizes for your app. dishwasher is 24 1/16.....stove is 301/16....sink...I would use a 36'' x 24 sink cab.......... the refer...I would leave a min. of 37'' so you can always get a 36'' wide refer in the hole........you have to find out the height of the unit as all are changing these days.......I would think along 72'' high for a big boy. I used to build them......so I would make one complete wall totally up in my shop and take a 10' or 12' section right out to the job sight..........I built them  all out of wood.......no particle board..........you can probably find a shop right there in your town............it's hard to compete with the prefabs.....but a old cabinet shop can get close and they will be a lot stronger and last longer and he can give you exactly what you want without wasted space...and his drawers will have a lot more space......so good luck........if you need a hand e-mail me.  All the best it's not hard..........my son has a kitchen just like your are refering to.........but I don't know window and door locations in your house.

Answer 2

Just use your 'outside' dimensions, and locate your appliances.  The cabinet builder/manufacturer/installer will make the cabinets fit those dimensions.

Allow about 1 inch to either side of a stove, and a couple of inches for a refrigerator, to help it exchange heat.

Its normal for a countertop to extend about an inch beyond the cabinets themselves.... you specify the countertop size, and the cabinets will be set back accordingly.

If you are purchasing these cabinets 'ready made', you can most likely get a drawing from the dealer.  Lowe's and other building supply stores will actually help you lay out the kitchen on a floor plan, and give you the plans.

By the way, upper cabinets are not normally as deep as base cabinets.

Have Fun