In kitchen design, there are three core cabinet types—base, wall, and tall—plus sub-types by function, construction, and style.
Shopping for cabinets gets easier once you know the main groups and how they break down. This guide explains the core categories used by designers, the common sub-types you’ll see on plans, and the style choices that affect look, price, and space. You’ll come away ready to map a layout, pick the right doors and drawers, and talk with a retailer or maker with confidence.
How Many Types Of Kitchen Cabinets Are There — Main Categories
Design pros sort kitchen storage into three primary boxes: base cabinets on the floor, wall cabinets hung above, and tall cabinets that reach from floor nearly to ceiling. These three cover almost every plan. From there, the field branches into purpose-built units such as sink bases, drawer bases, corner units, and appliance housings.
| Cabinet Type | What It Does | Typical Sizes / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Main work zone storage and counter base | Depth ~24 in; widths 9–48 in; sits on toe space |
| Wall (Upper) | Everyday dishes, glassware, light pantry items | Depth ~12 in; heights 30–42 in; mounted to studs |
| Tall / Pantry | Bulk food, brooms, ovens, fridge surrounds | Full height; 12–24 in deep; often 84–96 in tall |
| Sink Base | Holds sink, plumbing, trash pull-outs | No top drawer; common widths 30–36 in |
| Drawer Base | Stacks of drawers for tools, utensils, pots | 3- or 4-drawer stacks; 12–36 in wide |
| Corner (L / Diagonal) | Bridges corner space with turntables or trays | Lazy Susan or blind-corner solutions |
| Appliance Housing | Wall oven, microwave, or built-in coffee | Tall or wall units with cutouts and trims |
| Island & Peninsula | Extra prep, seating, and storage | Back panels finished; power and seating options |
Types Of Kitchen Cabinets By Function
Once the big three are set, function choices fine-tune a layout. A sink base anchors the cleanup run. Drawer bases speed up access to pots and lids. Corner units reclaim deep space with turntables or pull-outs. Tall pantry units keep food in one column, or they wrap ovens and microwaves at a safe height. Islands can host a cooktop, a prep sink, or simple storage with seating on the back side.
Framed And Frameless Construction
Cabinet boxes come in two builds. Framed cabinets use a face frame with stiles and rails on the front; doors mount to that frame. Frameless cabinets skip the frame; doors mount to the sides for a clean, tight reveal and wide openings. Both are standard in the trade. Many brands certify to the industry’s KCMA A161.1 quality standard for strength and wear.
Door Mount: Full Overlay, Partial Overlay, Or Inset
Overlay describes how the door sits on the front. Full overlay covers most of the face frame or case front, giving a sleek seam. Partial overlay shows more frame and leans traditional. Inset doors sit flush inside a frame with tight reveals. Each choice changes the look and price band, and it can affect interior space by small amounts at hinges.
Common Door Styles
Door style shapes the vibe. Shaker has a simple recessed panel. Slab is flat and modern. Raised panel adds contour. Beadboard brings narrow vertical lines. Glass-front doors lighten a run and make display space.
How Many Cabinet Types Fit A Real Kitchen — Practical Breakdown
The phrase “how many types of kitchen cabinets are there” can mean a few layers. If you count the core cabinet categories, there are three. If you include purpose-built units, the list grows to a dozen or more common SKUs. Add construction, door mount, and door style, and you’re selecting across several dimensions. The sections below map those layers so you can answer the question for your own project and budget.
Base Cabinet Sub-Types You’ll See On Plans
- Standard Base: One door and one drawer, or two doors with a single top drawer.
- Drawer Base: Three- or four-drawer stack; faster access than doors with shelves.
- Sink Base: False drawer front on top, doors below; room for a pull-out bin.
- Corner Base: Lazy Susan, super Susan, or blind-corner with pull-outs.
- Pull-Out Base: Full-height slide-out for spices, bottles, and trays.
Wall Cabinet Sub-Types
- Standard Wall: Single or double doors at 30, 36, or 42 in heights.
- Glass-Front Wall: Clear or textured glass for display.
- Corner Wall: Diagonal front or L-shaped solutions.
Tall Cabinet Sub-Types
- Pantry: Adjustable shelves or roll-outs top to bottom.
- Oven / Microwave: Cutouts for built-in appliances with trims.
- Fridge Surround: Tall gables and a top cabinet that bridges the unit.
Sizes, Clearances, And Fit
Standard sizes help plans align. Base depth tends to be 24 in. Wall depth tends to be 12 in. Toe space is commonly about 3 in high and 2 in deep to ease stance at the counter. Tall pantry units often match the top of 30–42 in wall runs so trims line up cleanly. When in doubt, follow spec sheets from the brand you choose, and match appliance requirements before locking sizes.
Design references emphasize access to interiors and smart corner planning. Accessories like pull-out trays and turntables keep deep spaces easy to reach, and they keep similar items grouped so prep goes faster. See the NKBA planning guidelines for a view of access and corner components in typical layouts.
Materials And Finishes
The box may be plywood or furniture-grade particleboard with melamine or wood veneer inside. Doors might be solid wood, MDF with a tough paint, thermofoil, or metal-framed glass. Painted finishes hide grain and keep color tight across batches. Stain shows texture and can handle small bumps with a simple touch-up. Sheens range from flat to high gloss.
Hardware That Changes Daily Use
Soft-close hinges and slides keep motion smooth. Full-extension slides reveal the entire drawer box so nothing hides at the back. Tip-out trays at the sink catch sponges. Pull-down shelves inside wall units bring high items into reach.
Budget Paths: Stock, Semi-Custom, And Custom
Cabinet lines fall into three buying paths. Stock ships in set sizes and finishes at the best price and lead time. Semi-custom adds more widths, depths, and trims while keeping value. Custom builds to exact sizes and special finishes, matching odd rooms or standout designs. All three paths can meet quality benchmarks when built and installed well.
| Style / Build | Look & Notes | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Shaker Door | Flat center panel with simple rails and stiles | Transitional kitchens and rentals |
| Slab Door | Flat front; edge banded or solid wood | Modern lines and easy cleaning |
| Raised Panel | Profiled center panel with shadow lines | Classic or traditional rooms |
| Frameless Box | No face frame; wider openings | Tight, contemporary reveals |
| Framed Box | Face frame on front; sturdy rails and stiles | Traditional detailing and trims |
| Inset Mount | Door sits flush inside the frame | Furniture vibe, precise reveals |
| Full Overlay | Door covers most of the front | Sleek lines and tight gaps |
What To Tell A Designer Or Retailer
Bring a rough layout with wall lengths, window sizes, and appliance picks. List the sub-types you want by run: a 36-in sink base, two drawer bases, a blind-corner with pull-outs, a 24-in pantry with roll-outs, and a wall oven cabinet. Mention your mount choice and door style. Ask about lead time and whether the line carries the KCMA quality seal.
Quick Recap
Three core types define a kitchen: base, wall, and tall. From there, common sub-types handle sinks, drawers, corners, and appliances. Builds split into framed and frameless; mounts split into full overlay, partial overlay, and inset. Door styles set the tone. With these pieces, you can answer “how many types of kitchen cabinets are there?” for your exact plan and budget.