How Many Kitchen Cabinets Do I Need?

Having the right amount of storage is essential for homeowners. Your kitchen cabinets are no exception. You need them to store your cooking supplies and eating utensils and much more.

So, just how much space do you need? This largely depends on what you have in your kitchen and how much space you have.

How to Decide How Much Cabinet Storage You Need

Before settling on a number, here are some tips for determining how many cabinets you will need.

1. Think about how you use your kitchen space.

Knowing how you use your kitchen helps determine the amount of space you need. If you spend less time cooking, you may need fewer cabinets.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before adding additional cupboards:

• What’s the current size of your kitchen?
• How often do you cook or entertain?
• Which parts of your kitchen are awkward to use?
• Which drawers do you use the most?
• Which drawers are more overstuffed?

2. Take an inventory of all items in your kitchen.

Figuring out how much you have can help you decide how much space you need. When going through your items, break them into categories to make the process more efficient.

Here are some of the categories you could use:

• Small appliances
• Food items
• Pots and pans
• Dishes
• Silverware

3. Declutter your belongings

Getting rid of things you don’t need anymore can clear up more room. This can give you a better idea of how many more cabinets you need.

Decluttering can also reduce your stress and make the space feel more functional.

Here are some tips to help you declutter your kitchen:

• Test and evaluate your appliances.
• Downsize your tableware collection.
• Use your pots and pans for multiple tasks.
• Limit bulky items.
• Check for duplicates.

Once your kitchen is more organized, you’ll no longer need to stash items in your dining room or elsewhere. Then, you can consider turning other storage spaces into a home office or game room.

4. Organize your kitchen.

When deciding to add more cabinets, consider how functional your space is. Are you able to find things easily? If you spend time digging around for certain items, consider reorganizing your kitchen.

Here are some common areas you can divide your space into:

• Consumables
• Non-consumables
• Cleaning
• Preparation
• Cooking

5. Calculate the total frontage of your drawers and cabinets.

Knowing the measurement of your drawers and cabinets helps you figure out the amount of space you’re currently using. To find this number, you want to multiply the cabinet width, cabinet depth, and the number of drawers.

The typical wall cabinet is about 12 to 24 inches deep and comes in various heights. Base cabinets are usually 24 inches deep and 34 inches tall. If your cupboards are smaller than the standard size, you may want to consider adding another shelf.

Once you take the measurements, if you’re still unsure whether to add additional cabinetry, consider consulting a kitchen designer. They can help steer you in the right direction and create mockups to help you visualize your new space.

Best Types of Kitchen Cabinets for Your Home

If you decide your kitchen is ready for an upgrade, here are some types of drawers to consider adding to your kitchen.

If you’re building a new home, put these at the top of your new home checklist right away.

Pantry

A pantry is an excellent place to store your jars and cans. It also allows you more space to organize items logically. Here are some of the popular types of pantries:

• Chef’s pantry: These swing outward and allow you to store your items efficiently.
• Pull-out pantry: These are often located next to your appliances to maximize storage space. They usually take up the entire wall and have sliding trays for easy access.
• Wall cabinet pantry: Wall cabinets are the most common and convenient places to store your non-perishable items.
• Roll-out pantry: This is similar to a spice rack, allowing you to organize your space easily. They’re also the perfect place to store pots and pans.

Trash Can Pull-Out Cabinet

These are a great way to hide your trash can and can make your space look more visually appealing. Consider placing it close to the door to access your larger trash bins easily.

This cabinet also keeps your garbage bin (see also 'How To Install A Garbage Disposal (The Easy Way)') away from where you prepare your food. You might want to get two separate bins, too — one for recycling and one for regular trash.

Spice Cabinet

These drawers allow you to keep your spices in one convenient location. They also make it easy to find different items without having to dig around. Consider getting one with a tiered shelf to see all your spices at once.

Corner Cabinet Storage

To help fill up unused corners, consider adding additional cupboards. Here are some types to consider:

• Corner drawers: These are mounted to rollers, allowing you to extend them out.
• Lazy susan: This is a pivoting carousel that allows you to access any item easily.
• Blind corner cabinets: These are placed in cabinet corners to fill out the space, but they leave some of the stored items hidden from view.

How to Maximize Kitchen Storage Space

If you decide that it’s not the right time to install new cabinets, you could still maximize your current storage space. Here are some tips to get you started.

Store Utensils in a Cutlery Box

This will help to save space and allow you to store more silverware. Having your items organized also makes it easier when reaching for a specific utensil, such as a fork.

Install Hooks for Your Mugs

Hanging up your mugs can be a great way to add more surface space. It can also give you more room for your other dishes.

Use Glass Jars to Store Items

This can help keep certain items, such as dried food, more organized. It also allows you to see what is inside the container. Slimmer jars take up less space than wider boxes.

Recap

Your kitchen is a place to cook a nice meal and spend quality family time. When deciding if it’s time to add more cabinets to your kitchen, consider these tips.

1. Think about how you use your kitchen space.

2. Take an inventory of all items in your kitchen.
3. Declutter your belongings
4. Organize Your kitchen
5. Calculate the total frontage of your drawers

For more home improvement tips and guides, check out the articles below.

Thanks to Rose from Renovated.com for this guest post.

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