#Kitchen Base Units - SimplifyDIY - DIY and Home Improvement Solutions

Kitchen Base Units

With no ‘lid’, a standard base unit is designed to support a worktop. so its dimensions are generated such that it will sit comfortably underneath the worktop and also support the worktop at 90cm (35Ѕin) high. The cabinet itself is supported by legs that are adjustable to even out the floor surface.

The following guide is intended to illustrate the size and shape of the units that are commonly available. Your specific kitchen supplier will be able to provide full details and dimensions of their own particular cabinets.

High line

Cabinets that are completely covered by a single cupboard door are referred to as high line.

With one door. these units are generally available in widths of 300mm, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm (12in, 15ѕin, 19Ѕin and 24in).

A pair of doors is attached to units of width 600mm, 800mm, 900mm and 1000mm (24in, 31Ѕin, 34Ѕin and 39 in).

Cabinets that include one or more drawers are known as drawer line. They can also include dummy drawers that remain static, for instance over an area where a kitchen sink has been inserted into the worktop.

These units are usually available in widths of 300mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm, 900mm and 1000mm (12in, 15ѕin, 19Ѕin, 24in, 31Ѕin, 34Ѕin and 39 in).

Corner units

Several different cabinets are available for optimising the huge amount of space that exists in corners where two perpendicular runs of cupboards meet. With the help of various clever mechanisms such as carousels and Vario corner wirework, access to the very deepest parts of these cupboards is made simple and easy.

Straight corner units, available for left hand or right hand corners. are the simplest cabinet available. Available in widths of 900mm, 1000mm, 1100mm and 1200mm (34Ѕin, 39 in, 43јin and 47јin), the ‘blind’ part of the cupboard remains 600mm (24in) wide while the width of the access door varies from 300mm (12in) up to 600mm (24in).

Alternative corner units give access to the centre of the cupboard. via a flat, swivelling or folding door.

True corner units usually measure 900mm (34Ѕin) along the two sides that fix to the walls and are 590mm (23јin) deep on both exposed sides to match up with adjacent base units.

L-shaped corner units are generally 900mm (34Ѕin) or 1000mm (39 in) along the two sides that fix to the walls and are 590mm (23јin) deep on both exposed sides to match up with adjacent base units.

Medium and tall cabinets

Often referred to as ‘pull out pantries’ or larder units. these floor-standing cabinets traverse the space between worktop and wall cabinet, providing a great deal of additional storage space, whether on shelves or on pull-out wire baskets.

Usually available in standard 600mm (24in) width as well as narrower options, depending on the supplier.

Integrated appliances

Integrated dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers and washer dryers are simply housed in a standard 600mm (24in) wide base unit, and a flat matching panel is attached to the door front.

Most sinks can be fitted above and inset into one of the standard sized base units. Special shortened cupboards, measuring 615mm (24јin) high, 600mm (24in) wide and 570mm (22Ѕin) deep are made to be fitted beneath Butler or Belfast sinks.

Integrated fridges and freezers are housed in 600mm (24in) wide cabinets. with matching door panels attached on the front. For fridge freezers, the two doors must align perfectly to the split between fridge and freezer. For this reason, check the available cupboards in your chosen kitchen range before purchasing a suitable appliance.

'Built-under' ovens are fitted into cabinets made specifically for the purpose. These are all the same size as a standard 600mm (24in) wide base unit, but have a hole to fit either a 60cm tall single oven or a 70cm tall double oven.

'Built-in' ovens are fitted into a cabinet ‘tower’ that may be full or medium height. They are 600mm (24in) wide and 590mm (23јin) deep, but the aperture to accommodate the oven(s) varies depending on whether a 60cm tall single oven or 90cm tall double oven is to be fitted.

There are also several specially adapted housing units on the market to accommodate more specialised appliances such as microwaves and coffee machines .

If a run of cabinets comes to an end without meeting a wall. a matching end panel will need to be used to disguise the carcass of the last cupboard. Alternatively, an open ended set of shelves can be added.