What is Base Cabinet?

A base cabinet is a cabinet that sits directly on the floor and supports the countertop. It is the foundation of every kitchen, holding the sink, the cooktop, the trash pull-out, the silverware drawers, and most of your bulk storage. If wall cabinets are the upper level of your kitchen, base cabinets are the workhorses below.

Base cabinets come in many widths and configurations, but they all share the same standard height and depth so they line up cleanly under a continuous countertop.

Key features of base cabinet

• Standard height: 34-1/2″ without the countertop. Add 1-1/2″ for a typical 36″ finished work surface.
• Standard depth: 24″ front to back.
• Toe kick recess: A 4-1/2″ tall by 3″ deep notch at the bottom front, for foot clearance.
• Width range: From 9″ (filler-style) up to 48″, in 3″ increments. Common widths: 12″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″.
• Construction: A box of plywood or particleboard sides and floor, with a face frame and door on the front (or just a door on a frameless cabinet).

BuyWholesaleCabinets carries base cabinets in every common width and configuration – single-door, double-door with drawer, multi-drawer, sink base, farmhouse sink base, lazy susan corner, blind corner, and pull-out specialty cabinets – all with plywood box construction.

FAQ

What is the standard size of a base cabinet?

34-1/2″ tall, 24″ deep, with widths in 3″ increments from 9″ up to 48″. Once you add a 1-1/2″ countertop, the finished height is 36″ – the standard work surface height in U.S. kitchens.

What is the difference between a base cabinet and a wall cabinet?

A base cabinet sits on the floor, supports the countertop, and is 24″ deep. A wall cabinet hangs on the wall above the counter, is 12″ deep (sometimes 24″ over a fridge), and ends at the soffit or ceiling. They use different mounting hardware and serve different storage purposes.

What do I need to order with a base cabinet?

Toe kick is required for every base cabinet run – it is not optional. If the cabinet end will be visible (open to the room), you also need a finished side panel. For exposed sink bases, plan for plumbing cutouts at install.

Can a base cabinet hold a dishwasher?

A dishwasher does not go inside a base cabinet – it sits next to one in its own opening. But you can buy a dishwasher panel to cover the visible side of the dishwasher and match it to your cabinet finish.