RTA Cabinet Sizes Every Contractor Should Know

The high quality, beautiful design, and fast turnaround of ready to assemble cabinets makes them an easy choice for contractors who are building or renovating kitchen cabinetry or bathroom cabinets. 

RTA cabinets are also conveniently sized in standard heights, depths and widths to make selection even easier, as nearly all manufacturers follow these sizing guidelines.  Contractors can read ahead to learn what are the standard sizes for base, wall, and kitchen island cabinetry

Base Cabinets

Base cabinets are used to house sinks, surround dishwashers and oven ranges, and store much of the larger kitchen items like small appliances or pots and pans. For bathroom cabinets, base cabinets are the foundation for what most people refer to as a “vanity.” Standard dimensions for base cabinets are as follows:

  • Height – Due to generally accepted design practices and building codes, which demand that their height must be accessible, base cabinets are typically 34.5 inches tall without the countertop and around 35-36 inches with it. 
  • Depth – Depth is measured beginning at the outer edge of the cabinet and ending at the wall. The standard depth is 24 inches – any deeper and it would be difficult to reach in and retrieve items. For smaller kitchens, there are base cabinets that have a depth of only 12 inches.
  • Width – You’ll see the most variance in width dimensions, as width should depend on how the cabinet will be used. Widths range from 9-46 inches (in 3-inch increments). Here are some examples for cabinet uses and recommend width dimensions: 
    • For pull-out drawers, rolling racks, or baking pan storage – 9, 12, 18 or 24 inches
    • Single basin sink – 30 inches
    • Double basin sink – 33-36 inches
    • For a lazy susan – 42 inches, which is the largest width size.

Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets store food, dishes, glasses, and lighter kitchen tools. These kitchen or bathroom cabinets are attached to the walls with screws and studs. They can also be suspended from the ceiling if they’re placed about an island or peninsula, in which case they are attached to soffits. Standard dimension for most wall cabinets are shown below:

  • Height – Height can only be as tall as the space between the countertop and the ceiling.
    • Heights are typically 12, 36, or 42 inches tall.
      • If the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, a 48-inch cabinet height usually works.
      • Where the cabinets are enclosed by soffits, the standard wall cabinet height is 30 or 36 inches tall. 
      • For cabinets above a refrigerator, the standard height is either 12 or 15 inches. 
  • Depth – Because wall cabinet depth can’t exceed base cabinet depth, the maximum depth is 24 inches. But since a homeowner typically wishes to have more workable counter space, a shallow wall cabinet would allow for less obstruction. For that reason, most wall cabinets are 12 inches deep. 
    • But for cabinets above microwave ovens, common depth range is 15-18 inches, and 24 inches above the refrigerator is standard.
  • Width – As with base cabinets, widths run in 3-inch increments, and the range is typically 9-36 inches (although sizes can extend up to 48 inches). The most common size is 30 inches for a double-door cabinet or single side cabinet. 

Tall Cabinets

These cabinets are usually labeled as pantry or utility kitchen cabinets. Tall cabinets can sometimes run from the floor to the ceiling. Dimensions range as follows:

  • Height – Standard height for tall cabinetry is 84 or 96 inches tall, with the floor-to-ceiling cabinet measuring 96 inches.
  • Depth – For a pantry cabinet that likely stores a lot of canned goods, 12 inches is considered a good workable depth. For utility cabinets that may store brooms,mops, and appliances like a floor vacuum, 24 inches in width is a popular option.
  • Width –  Tall cabinet widths range from 12-36 inches. Most homes find that 24 inches fits their needs, but if the homeowner wants pull-outs or storage on the cabinet door, they’ll need a wider cabinet.

Kitchen Island Cabinets

  • Height – Height should match that of base cabinets because of the need for accessibility.
  • Depth – If you plan to have two sets of back-to-back 24-inch-deep cabinets, the total depth of the island will be 48 inches. But if you’re going to install a breakfast bar, only 24 inches are needed.
  • The width of a kitchen island must be determined by how much space surrounds it, so that there’s a good flow in the room. Experts say that you should allow for 42-48 inches of unobstructed space around the island.

Wholesale Cabinetry and RTA Cabinets Near Me

Contractors can find the quality cabinetry they need at National Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry. We’re cabinet wholesalers that manufacture and stock semi-custom all-wood cabinets, built using the highest standards. You’ll be sure to find a style and finish to satisfy any customer’s needs in our 30,000-square-foot Austin showroom.

Not only do we stock products of exceptional quality, but they’re affordable too! We offer a limited lifetime warranty on our cabinetry and we even make design services available. To receive a quote, call us at (737) 777-0556 to learn more about how our cabinet wholesale operation can help your business.