Introduction
When designing a kitchen, one of the most underrated but crucial questions to ask is, “How many cabinets do I need?” It might sound simple, but this decision shapes your cooking experience, storage capabilities, and even the look and feel of your kitchen. Think about it—cabinets hold your food, dishes, appliances, and a million other essentials. Without the right number (and type), your kitchen can easily turn into a cluttered, chaotic mess.
A well-designed kitchen isn’t just about looks; it’s about function and flow. Cabinets act as the backbone of that functionality. Too few, and you’re constantly fighting for space. Too many, and you risk crowding your kitchen or wasting money on unused storage. The key? Finding the perfect balance that fits your space, lifestyle, and cooking habits.
Especially in 2025, with kitchens becoming the heart of open-plan homes and smart living, planning your cabinets is about more than just math—it’s about maximizing comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics.
Factors That Influence the Number of Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen Size and Layout
One of the biggest factors that determines how many cabinets your kitchen needs is the size and layout of the space. A 150-square-foot kitchen offers a lot more cabinet potential than a compact 70-square-foot galley. But it’s not just about square footage—it’s about how that space is arranged.
Do you have walls that can support wall cabinets? Is your kitchen open to the living room, limiting where cabinets can go? What about natural light—are you trying to preserve a window view, which would cut into wall cabinet space?
Layouts like U-shape, L-shape, galley, or one-wall kitchens all come with different storage dynamics. A U-shaped kitchen, for instance, gives you three full walls to work with, meaning more cabinet possibilities. A galley kitchen, while efficient, might limit you to just one set of upper cabinets.
In short: your kitchen’s footprint and layout directly influence how many cabinets are realistic—and necessary—for your design.
Household Size and Lifestyle
Your family size plays a massive role in determining how many cabinets you need. A single person or couple may not need more than a few strategically placed cabinets. But if you’re cooking for a family of four or more? You’re going to need a lot more storage for everything from Tupperware to cereal boxes.
Also, think about your lifestyle. Are you someone who cooks daily, meal preps, and hosts dinner parties? Then you likely need ample cabinet space for cookware, serving platters, and gadgets. On the other hand, if you mostly order takeout and use the kitchen for morning coffee, you can get away with fewer.
Storage isn’t just about food and dishes, either. Today’s kitchens often double as a drop zone for mail, keys, electronics, and more. That means incorporating “non-food” storage into your cabinet plan too.
Cooking Habits and Appliance Storage Needs
Your cooking style impacts storage in a big way. If you’re an aspiring chef or a home baker, you’re likely to have a ton of kitchen tools—think mixers, baking trays, food processors, and specialty pans. All of these require dedicated cabinet space.
Do you keep your counters clear or filled with your favorite appliances? If it’s the latter, you might need more lower cabinets to store them when not in use. Maybe you’ve got a collection of spices or gourmet ingredients that need to be organized and easy to reach. That’s where thoughtful cabinet planning pays off.
You’ll also want to consider future needs. Buying a new Instant Pot or a bread machine soon? Better plan ahead for storage—or risk piling up more countertop clutter later.
Standard Kitchen Cabinet Sizes and Types
Base Cabinets
Base cabinets are the workhorses of any kitchen. They sit on the floor and support your countertops, housing pots, pans, and heavier kitchenware. Standard base cabinet dimensions are typically 24 inches deep and 34.5 inches high (without the countertop). Widths range from 9 to 48 inches, allowing for customization depending on your kitchen’s footprint.
When deciding how many base cabinets you need, think of zones. You’ll want at least one near the stove, another under the sink (often with cleaning supplies), and others near prep areas. If you plan on installing an island, that’s an opportunity for more base cabinets too.
Drawers, pull-out shelves, and built-in organizers can significantly boost the functionality of these cabinets, making even a few go a long way.
Wall Cabinets
Wall cabinets—or upper cabinets—are mounted to the wall and usually 12 inches deep. Their height can vary from 30 to 42 inches depending on ceiling height and design preferences. They’re ideal for storing dishes, spices, dry goods, and lighter kitchen tools.
The number of wall cabinets you need depends on your cooking style and whether you’re leaning more toward open shelving or closed storage. For example, someone who wants a minimalist, modern kitchen might go light on upper cabinets and compensate with a larger pantry.
One design tip? Don’t line every wall with cabinets—it can overwhelm a space. Instead, mix closed cabinets with glass fronts or floating shelves to keep the kitchen from feeling boxed in.
Tall Cabinets or Pantry Units
Tall cabinets, also known as pantry or utility cabinets, run from the floor to the ceiling. These are your go-to for storing bulk items, cleaning supplies, or even small appliances. They’re usually 84 to 96 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches deep.
If you have the space, at least one tall cabinet is a must. It replaces the need for a walk-in pantry in smaller kitchens and provides massive vertical storage. You can even outfit these with rollout trays, built-in spice racks, or broom closets.
They’re great for awkward corners or end-of-cabinet runs and can make a small kitchen feel much more organized.
Custom Kitchen Designs and Cabinet Flexibility
Open Concept Kitchens
Open concept kitchens are all the rage in modern home design. While they look stunning and airy, they come with a unique challenge—limited wall space for cabinets. Since these kitchens typically flow into the living or dining room, traditional upper cabinets can feel obtrusive and break the visual flow. That’s why many homeowners in 2025 are rethinking how and where to incorporate storage in these layouts.
One popular solution is using large base cabinets and a well-planned island to take over the bulk of storage duties. Islands in open kitchens often come with deep drawers and shelves on all sides, replacing what would typically go on the walls. Another smart move is incorporating cabinetry into nearby walls—like a dining room hutch or built-in unit that complements the kitchen design.
In open concept kitchens, fewer cabinets don’t mean less storage—it just requires smarter placement and multipurpose design. For instance, you might include a hidden appliance garage or pop-up storage to keep the clutter away while maintaining that open, spacious vibe.
Minimalist Kitchen Styles
If you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen sleek, minimalist kitchens with barely any visible storage. While they’re undeniably beautiful, going minimalist doesn’t mean sacrificing functionality—it means planning cabinet use down to the last inch.
The minimalist style prioritizes clean lines, hidden compartments, and an almost futuristic feel. To achieve this look, cabinet design often includes handle-less doors, touch-latch systems, and flat panels. Cabinets in minimalist kitchens tend to be deeper and more functional inside, even if they’re fewer in number.
You might also see a rise in “hidden” kitchens—where everything from the sink to the stovetop can be tucked away behind sleek cabinet panels. It’s a great approach for studio apartments or homes with open living spaces.
With minimalist design, the focus isn’t on how many cabinets you have, but how intelligently they’re integrated into the design. Every inch counts—and storage can be hiding in plain sight.
Multi-Functional Cabinet Features
Modern cabinetry is no longer just about shelves and drawers. The trend in 2025 is all about multi-functionality. Think pull-out cutting boards, integrated spice racks, toe-kick drawers, and built-in waste bins. These features allow homeowners to do more with less.
Corner cabinets, once a nightmare of wasted space, are now equipped with rotating trays (aka Lazy Susans) or pull-out shelves that bring everything within reach. Deep drawers come with built-in dividers for pots and pans. Some cabinet systems even include smart features like LED lighting that turns on when the cabinet opens, or built-in charging stations for your devices.
In short, instead of adding more cabinets, many homeowners are investing in smarter ones. It’s a matter of quality over quantity. When each cabinet is maximized for storage and accessibility, you may find you need fewer of them to meet your needs.
Common Mistakes When Estimating Cabinet Needs
Underestimating Pantry and Food Storage
One of the biggest mistakes people make when planning a kitchen? Forgetting about food storage. Many homeowners get caught up thinking about where to put their dishes and appliances, and then realize too late that they have nowhere to store bulk dry goods, snacks, canned foods, or cereals.
Even if you’re not a Costco regular, having a designated pantry space—either in the form of a tall cabinet or a full walk-in pantry—can make your kitchen far more functional. If you skip this, you may find yourself shoving dry goods into random cabinets, reducing overall organization and causing constant clutter.
To avoid this, always include at least one tall pantry cabinet or designate an entire base cabinet near your cooking area as a food zone. Planning food storage should be at the top of your list—not an afterthought.
Forgetting Future Growth or Family Needs
Another common oversight? Designing your kitchen for right now, without thinking ahead. Are you planning on starting a family soon? Maybe expecting a partner or roommate to move in? Your kitchen cabinet needs can grow rapidly with more people under one roof.
Also consider lifestyle changes. You might not be into cooking today, but what if next year you go full-on chef mode and start experimenting with new cuisines? More kitchen hobbies, more equipment, more storage needs.
A good rule of thumb is to add 15-20% extra cabinet space beyond what you think you need today. That gives you room to grow without needing a full kitchen remodel a few years down the line.
Smart Storage Alternatives Beyond Traditional Cabinets
Pull-Out Shelves, Lazy Susans, and Vertical Storage
We’re in an era of kitchen optimization, and if you’re still relying solely on old-school shelves, you’re missing out. Pull-out shelves make deep cabinets usable by bringing items to you rather than forcing you to dig to the back. Perfect for pots, pans, and pantry items.
Lazy Susans—rotating trays installed in corner cabinets—make otherwise dead space highly functional. They’re not just for spices anymore; large versions can hold mixing bowls, condiments, and even small appliances.
Vertical storage is another brilliant space-saver. Tall dividers in base cabinets let you store cutting boards, baking sheets, and platters upright instead of stacking them. It’s not just neater—it’s way more efficient.
These storage solutions can reduce the total number of cabinets you need because they allow each unit to serve multiple purposes more effectively.
Floating Shelves vs. Enclosed Cabinets
Floating shelves are everywhere in modern kitchens—and for good reason. They offer a light, airy feel and can break up the visual heaviness of rows of upper cabinets. But are they practical replacements?
Yes and no. While floating shelves are great for displaying dishes, mugs, or décor, they’re not ideal for everything. You don’t want your open shelves overloaded with cereal boxes and cleaning supplies. The key is balance.
Floating shelves work best when paired with a few closed cabinets to hide less attractive or bulky items. If you’re trying to reduce the number of cabinets for a sleeker look, consider combining both styles. Just make sure the open shelves are placed strategically and kept tidy.
Final Thoughts
Designing a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional starts with asking the right questions—like how many cabinets you need. As we’ve seen, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your kitchen’s size, layout, household needs, and lifestyle preferences. Some homes might function perfectly with fewer, high-quality cabinets equipped with smart storage features, while others need extensive cabinet space to handle big families and active home chefs.
The golden rule? Always prioritize function over form. Sure, minimalism looks great, but if you’re constantly fighting for counter space or storing your cookware in the hallway closet, your kitchen isn’t working for you. Whether you’re building from scratch or remodeling, take the time to map out your needs now—and think about how they’ll evolve over the next five to ten years.
In the end, your kitchen cabinets should reflect your lifestyle, cooking habits, and long-term plans. Get that balance right, and you’ll enjoy a space that not only looks amazing but works like a dream every single day.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many cabinets does a typical 10x10 kitchen have?
A standard 10×10 kitchen usually features between 10 to 12 cabinets, depending on the layout and cabinet sizes. This typically includes 4–5 base cabinets, 4–5 wall cabinets, and possibly one tall pantry cabinet. It’s a general guideline, often used by kitchen showrooms to provide pricing estimates.
2. Do I need both upper and lower cabinets?
Not necessarily. Some modern kitchens go without upper cabinets entirely and make up the difference with large base cabinets, pantries, or islands with built-in storage. However, for most people, a mix of upper and lower cabinets provides the best storage-to-space ratio and keeps essential items within easy reach.
3. What’s the best way to add storage in a small kitchen?
Maximize vertical space with tall cabinets, add storage in unexpected places like toe-kicks and backs of doors, and opt for multi-functional furniture like kitchen islands with drawers. Pull-out shelves, hanging racks, and corner solutions like Lazy Susans can also significantly increase usable storage.
4. Can open shelving replace upper cabinets?
It can, especially if you’re going for a minimalist or open-concept look. But remember, open shelves are best for items you use often and can keep tidy. They’re great for dishes, glassware, or even a few decorative pieces—but probably not for bulk food items or mismatched plastic containers.
5. How do I calculate the cabinet space I need?
Start by listing everything you plan to store in your kitchen—cookware, dishes, pantry items, small appliances, cleaning supplies, and even non-food essentials like pet supplies or tech chargers. Then, categorize and measure the amount of space those items require. Add about 20% extra to accommodate future needs or new purchases.
