Best Cabinets for Small Kitchens: Types, Sizes & Buying Tips

The best cabinets for small kitchens are drawer base cabinets, taller wall cabinets, narrow base or pull-out units, and corner cabinets where the layout allows. These options make storage easier to reach and use available wall space without adding unnecessary cabinet boxes.

For most compact kitchens, standard 24-inch-deep base cabinets still provide useful countertop space. The bigger decisions are cabinet width, drawer configuration, wall cabinet height, and whether a narrow cabinet can fit beside an appliance or at the end of a cabinet run.

A small kitchen does not need every available inch filled with cabinets. It needs enough storage for everyday cookware, dishes, and pantry items while maintaining clear access to the sink, refrigerator, range, and dishwasher.

Below, we compare cabinet types, useful dimensions, and practical buying options for small and narrow kitchens.

Best Cabinets for Small Kitchens at a Glance

Different small kitchens need different cabinet combinations. Start with the problem you want to solve, then select a cabinet that fits the available space.

The widths shown are general planning options, not a guarantee that every RARA collection offers every cabinet type in those sizes.

For most small kitchens, a drawer base and practical wall storage are useful starting points. Add a narrow cabinet, corner cabinet, or tall pantry only when it solves a specific storage problem without affecting appliance access.

Drawer Base Cabinets

Drawer base cabinets are one of the most useful cabinet types for small kitchens. Unlike shelves behind cabinet doors, drawers bring their contents forward, making cookware, utensils, food containers, and other everyday items easier to reach.

The best drawer width depends on what you plan to store.

• 15-inch drawer base: A compact option for utensils, towels, cooking tools, and smaller supplies.
• 18-inch drawer base: Worth considering when you need organized storage but have limited cabinet-run width.
• 24-inch drawer base: Provides more room for cookware, mixing bowls, food containers, and larger kitchen items.

For example, RARA offers a 15-inch Natural Grain Oak RTA Drawer Base Cabinet with three drawers and a 15″W × 34½″H × 24″D cabinet box.

For more storage width, the 24-inch Nacreous Slim Dove White RTA Drawer Base Cabinet uses a three-drawer configuration in a 24″W × 34½″H × 24″D cabinet.

Before ordering, measure the available cabinet-run width and check that the drawers can open without hitting an appliance handle, adjoining wall, or opposite cabinet.

For a closer look at configurations and storage uses, read our Kitchen Drawer Base Cabinet Guide.

Tall Wall Cabinets

Tall wall cabinets are especially useful in a small kitchen because they increase storage without taking up more floor space. When the ceiling height allows, a taller cabinet can provide room for additional shelves and items that are not used every day.

Common wall cabinet heights include 30, 36, and 42 inches, depending on the cabinet collection. A 42-inch wall cabinet may provide more storage than a 30-inch version of the same width, but it is only practical when the ceiling height and installation clearances allow it.

Use lower, easily reached shelves for dishes, glasses, and everyday supplies. Reserve upper shelves for occasional cookware, serving pieces, and extra pantry items.

Before choosing a cabinet height, measure the distance between the countertop and ceiling. Account for backsplash clearance, crown molding or fillers, range hood requirements, and any ceiling irregularities.

For narrow kitchens, taller cabinets are often more practical than simply adding more base cabinets, but avoid placing oversized upper cabinets where they block windows or crowd the work area.

See our Kitchen Cabinet Size Chart for a detailed guide to wall cabinet dimensions.

Narrow Pull-Out Cabinets

Narrow kitchen cabinets are useful when a standard-width cabinet will not fit. A 9-, 12-, or 15-inch-wide base cabinet may provide storage beside an appliance, at the end of a cabinet run, or along a short wall.

However, a narrow base cabinet is not necessarily a pull-out cabinet. Standard narrow cabinets may have a door and shelf, while specialty pull-out models use sliding storage hardware.

Narrow Base Cabinet or Pull-Out: Which Should You Choose?

• Narrow door-base cabinet: A straightforward option for everyday kitchen items when an adjustable shelf provides enough access.
• Narrow drawer base: Useful for utensils, cooking tools, and smaller items that benefit from separate compartments.
• Specialty pull-out cabinet: Worth considering for spices, bottles, or slim storage spaces when a compatible pull-out mechanism is available.

For example, RARA offers a 15-inch Natural Grain Oak Base Cabinet measuring 15″W × 34½″H × 24″D. It has a door, adjustable shelf, and drawer. This is a standard base cabinet, not a specialty pull-out.

Before ordering, check the exact width of the opening, any filler required against adjoining walls, and whether the cabinet door or drawer can open completely.

A narrow cabinet is only worthwhile when the remaining interior storage will be useful. Do not replace a wider cabinet with several very narrow cabinets unless the layout requires it.

Corner Cabinets

Corner cabinets can help recover storage space that is often difficult to use efficiently in a small kitchen. They are most relevant in L-shaped and U-shaped layouts, where two cabinet runs meet and create a deep inside corner.

Common corner cabinet options include lazy Susan cabinets and other corner-access configurations designed to make stored items easier to reach. These cabinets can be useful for:

• Pots and pans
• Mixing bowls
• Small appliances
• Dry goods
• Less frequently used cookware

The main consideration is access. A corner cabinet should not simply create more storage volume; the contents also need to remain practical to reach. Door swing, nearby drawer clearance, appliance placement, and adjacent cabinet hardware should all be checked before the layout is finalized.

In a small kitchen, a well-planned corner cabinet can reduce wasted space, but it should only be used when the surrounding cabinet layout provides enough clearance for comfortable operation.

For a closer look at one common corner-storage option, see our lazy Susan cabinet guide.

Tall Pantry Cabinets

Tall pantry cabinets can provide a large amount of storage within a relatively small section of wall space, making them useful in compact kitchens where floor area is limited but vertical space is available.

They work especially well for storing:

• Dry food and pantry items
• Small appliances
• Baking supplies
• Cleaning products
• Bulk kitchen supplies
• Less frequently used cookware

A tall pantry cabinet can reduce the need for several smaller storage cabinets, but placement matters. In a narrow kitchen, a large pantry cabinet positioned too close to the main work area can make the room feel tighter or reduce useful countertop space.

Before adding a tall pantry cabinet, consider:

• Available wall width
• Ceiling height
• Nearby appliance openings
• Door swing and walkway clearance
• Whether the cabinet blocks natural light
• How much countertop space would be lost

Tall pantry cabinets are usually most effective when they are grouped near refrigerators, at the end of a cabinet run, or in another location where their full height does not interrupt the main countertop workspace.

Is an 18-Inch Pantry Cabinet Worth It in a Small Kitchen?

An 18-inch-wide pantry cabinet can be useful when you have a narrow section of full-height wall space but still need storage for dry food, small appliances, and household essentials.

For example, RARA offers an 18-inch Serene Dove White Shaker RTA Tall Pantry Cabinet measuring 18″W × 84″H × 24″D. It has two doors and four adjustable shelves.

Before choosing a tall cabinet, confirm that the full cabinet height fits your ceiling and that the doors can open without hitting nearby appliances or walls. Check whether the cabinet would take away countertop space that your small kitchen needs more than additional pantry storage.

An 18-inch pantry cabinet is not automatically better than an 18-inch base cabinet. The best option depends on whether you need full-height storage or uninterrupted countertop workspace.

For more ideas on pull-outs, corner organizers, vertical storage, and other space-saving features, see our small kitchen cabinet storage solutions guide.

What Cabinet Sizes Work Best in a Small Kitchen?

A small kitchen usually benefits more from choosing the right cabinet widths than from making every cabinet unusually shallow or narrow.

Standard kitchen base cabinets are commonly 34.5 inches high and 24 inches deep before countertops. Wall cabinets are often 12 inches deep, with heights and widths varying by cabinet collection.

The following widths are worth comparing when planning a compact kitchen.

Not every width is available in every cabinet type or collection. Check the exact product dimensions rather than assuming that a standard size guarantees a particular configuration.

Should You Use Shallow Cabinets in a Small Kitchen?

Shallow cabinets can be useful in specific locations, but they are not always the best solution.

A standard 24-inch-deep base cabinet provides countertop support and useful storage for cookware. Reducing cabinet depth may affect counter space, sink installation, appliance placement, and storage capacity.

In a narrow galley kitchen, changing cabinet depth should be considered only after measuring the actual walkway and confirming that the selected cabinet is designed for that installation.

How to Measure for Small Kitchen Cabinets

Before ordering:

1. Measure the finished wall lengths at several heights.
2. Record doorways, windows, corners, and wall obstructions.
3. Mark appliance locations and use the actual manufacturer’s dimensions.
4. Check how far cabinet doors, drawers, and appliance doors must open.
5. Allow for required fillers, finished panels, and installation tolerances.
6. Confirm that the selected cabinet widths leave practical countertop space.

For standard cabinet measurements and detailed size tables, see our Kitchen Cabinet Size Chart.

Best Cabinet Layouts for Small Kitchens

The best cabinet layout for a small kitchen depends on the room shape, walkway width, appliance locations, and available wall space. The goal is not to fit in the largest possible number of cabinets, but to create useful storage without making the kitchen difficult to move through.

Single-Wall Kitchen

A single-wall layout places the main cabinets and appliances along one wall. It can work especially well in very small apartments, studios, or open-plan spaces where floor area is limited.

To make the most of a single-wall kitchen, consider taller wall cabinets, drawer bases, and carefully placed pantry storage. Because all functions share one cabinet run, appliance spacing and countertop workspace should be planned carefully.

Galley Kitchen

A galley kitchen uses two parallel cabinet runs and can provide a large amount of storage in a relatively narrow room.

This layout can work well with drawer base cabinets, wall cabinets, and narrow storage solutions, but walkway clearance is especially important. Opposing cabinet doors, appliance doors, and drawers should be able to open without creating major conflicts.

L-Shaped Kitchen

An L-shaped layout uses two adjoining walls and can make efficient use of a corner while keeping part of the room open.

For small kitchens, this layout works particularly well when the corner cabinet is planned carefully and the two cabinet runs do not become overcrowded. Drawer bases, corner cabinets, and taller wall cabinets can help maximize storage while maintaining an open work area.

U-Shaped Kitchen

A U-shaped layout provides cabinets on three sides and can offer substantial storage and countertop space. However, it requires more room than the other layouts and can feel enclosed if the cabinet runs are too close together.

In a smaller U-shaped kitchen, pay close attention to walkway width, corner access, appliance doors, and the visual weight of tall cabinets. Avoid filling every available wall with large cabinets if doing so makes the space feel cramped.

For a more detailed comparison of kitchen layouts and workflow planning, see our kitchen layout guide.

Best Cabinets for a Narrow Kitchen

For a narrow kitchen, start by planning around the sink, refrigerator, range, and dishwasher. These determine how much room remains for storage cabinets.

A narrow cabinet is useful only when it fits the remaining space without interfering with appliance access or comfortable movement.

Example: Choosing Cabinets for a 96-Inch Wall Run

Suppose you have a straight 96-inch section of wall available for base cabinets. One possible planning combination is:

• 30-inch sink base cabinet
• 24-inch drawer base cabinet
• 24-inch standard base cabinet
• 15-inch narrow base cabinet

These cabinets total 93 inches in nominal width, leaving 3 inches before accounting for the actual wall conditions and any required fillers, finished panels, or installation clearances.

This is an illustrative cabinet-width calculation, not a finished kitchen design. Appliance placement, sink requirements, and site measurements may require a different combination.

The important point is that one narrow cabinet can sometimes help complete a cabinet run without replacing several useful wider cabinets.

What About a Narrow Galley Kitchen?

In a galley layout, two cabinet runs face each other. Check the walkway after accounting for cabinet depth, countertops, appliance projections, and handles.

Pay particular attention to the dishwasher, oven, and opposing drawers. A kitchen may have adequate walking space when everything is closed but become difficult to use when doors are open.

Use taller wall cabinets where appropriate and reserve narrow base cabinets for spaces where they genuinely improve storage. Do not reduce cabinet depth or add specialty pull-outs without confirming the available clearance.

RTA Cabinets for Small Kitchens: What to Compare Before Buying

RTA kitchen cabinets can be a practical option for smaller kitchen remodels because they allow homeowners to combine standard cabinet widths and configurations without ordering fully custom cabinetry.

However, the best purchase is not simply the cabinet with the lowest listed price. In a small kitchen, the wrong cabinet width or door configuration may create installation problems or reduce useful storage.

What Should You Compare?

• Cabinet widths: Check whether the collection offers the narrow bases, drawer bases, wall cabinets, and pantry units your layout requires.
• Cabinet construction: Review the box material, door construction, hinges, drawer slides, and available accessories.
• Assembly requirements: RTA cabinet boxes require assembly before installation.
• Storage configuration: Compare doors, shelves, and drawers based on what you actually need to store.
• Total cost: Include cabinet components, fillers, finishing panels, delivery, assembly, and installation labor.

Pre-assembled cabinets may be worth comparing if you want to reduce cabinet-box assembly work. Both formats still require accurate measurements and proper installation.

Browse RARA’s Ready-to-Assemble Kitchen Cabinets and Pre-Assembled Kitchen Cabinets to check available collections and cabinet configurations.

For a more detailed comparison of RTA construction and ordering requirements, see our RTA Cabinets Buying Guide.

What to Avoid in a Small Kitchen

In a small kitchen, adding more cabinets does not always create a better layout. Oversized cabinets, poor clearances, and unnecessary specialty storage can make the room harder to use even when they increase total storage capacity.

Try to avoid:

• Oversized pantry cabinets that reduce useful countertop or walkway space
• Too many deep or visually heavy upper cabinets in a narrow room
• Cabinet doors or drawers that conflict with appliances, walls, or opposing cabinets
• Large filler spaces that reduce usable cabinet width
• Corner cabinets without enough clearance for doors or internal storage to operate properly
• Narrow specialty cabinets that cost more but provide very little usable storage
• Filling every available wall with cabinetry when open space would improve movement and visibility
• Choosing cabinet sizes before confirming appliance dimensions and required clearances

Also consider how the kitchen will function when doors, drawers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens are open. A layout may look efficient on a floor plan but become difficult to use if multiple components compete for the same walkway space.

The goal in a small kitchen is not maximum cabinet quantity. It is to create the most useful combination of storage, countertop space, appliance access, and comfortable movement within the available room.

FAQ About Cabinets for Small Kitchens

What type of cabinets are best for a small kitchen?

Drawer base cabinets, tall wall cabinets, narrow pull-outs, corner cabinets, and carefully placed pantry cabinets can all work well in a small kitchen. The best combination depends on the room width, layout, appliance locations, and available wall height.

Are taller wall cabinets good for a small kitchen?

Yes, taller wall cabinets can add storage without using more floor space. However, using too many large upper cabinets in a narrow room can make the kitchen feel visually crowded.

Are narrow cabinets useful in a small kitchen?

Narrow cabinets can be useful when they turn a slim gap into practical storage. Pull-out cabinets are especially helpful for spices, baking sheets, oils, or other small items, but they should only be used where there is enough opening clearance.

What Cabinet Widths Are Best for Narrow Kitchens?

Narrow kitchens often benefit from carefully chosen 12-, 15-, or 18-inch-wide cabinets, while larger 24-inch drawer bases can provide more usable storage where space allows. The best width depends on the available cabinet run, appliance clearances, and the actual cabinet configuration.

Before ordering, compare the available widths in your selected cabinet collection and allow for any required fillers or finished panels.

What is the best kitchen layout for a small space?

Single-wall, galley, and L-shaped layouts often work well in compact kitchens. U-shaped layouts can also provide substantial storage, but they require enough room to maintain comfortable walkways and appliance clearances.

Are RTA cabinets a good option for a small kitchen?

RTA cabinets can be a practical option for small kitchens because standard cabinet sizes can be combined to fit many common layouts while helping control remodeling costs. Accurate measurements and cabinet planning are especially important in limited spaces.

Final Thoughts: Choosing Cabinets for Your Small Kitchen

For most small kitchens, start with practical drawer storage and wall cabinets before adding specialty pull-outs or tall pantry units. Choose cabinet widths that fit the actual room and keep sink, refrigerator, dishwasher, and walkway access clear.

If you are comparing cabinet options for an upcoming remodel, browse RARA’s RTA Kitchen Cabinet Collections or Pre-Assembled Kitchen Cabinet Collections.

You can also use RARA’s Free Kitchen Design Service to review a proposed layout before choosing cabinet sizes and configurations.