Quick Answer
Who this page is for: anyone planning kitchen cabinets, a wardrobe, or built-in storage themselves — whether you intend to hand the plan to a fabricator or build it yourself.
Start with a measured room plan, the items to store, the appliances and the services that the cabinetry needs to accommodate. Final dimensions should be agreed in project drawings and checked against current product instructions.
Kitchen measurements to confirm
This guide does not set construction dimensions. Use the measured room plan, selected product instructions and project drawings to confirm the dimensions for your kitchen.
| Element | What to confirm for your project |
| Base cabinets and worktop | Finished floor level, intended users, appliance fit, worktop thickness and selected quartz stone worktop. |
| Base cabinet and worktop depth | Room constraints, selected appliance and sink dimensions, front overhang and access to nearby doors or walkways. |
| Wall and tall cabinets | Ceiling and wall conditions, user reach, storage needs, appliance location and any clearances specified in product manuals. |
| Cabinet openings and kickboard | Door and drawer movement, floor finish, plinth position and the selected kickboard material and base detail. |
| Cabinet modules and hardware | Drawer and door sizes, the selected hinge or runner model, and any model-specific installation requirements. |
Kitchen clearances and appliance fit
Check movement and product requirements on the measured plan. For appliances, follow the current installation instructions for the exact model.
| Area to check | Project question |
| Aisle between facing cabinet runs | Do the measured plans allow the intended circulation and use? |
| In front of a dishwasher or oven | Can the appliance door open as intended, and is the installation clearance shown? |
| Sink, hob and preparation areas | Do the layout and selected appliance locations suit the planned workflow? |
| Refrigerator and other doors | Do doors open fully without hitting a wall, handle or adjacent unit? |
| Hob and hood | Have the selected models' installation and clearance requirements been checked against the proposed cabinet layout? |
A work-triangle sketch can help discuss the relationship between the sink, hob and refrigerator, but it does not replace checking the measured room and appliance instructions.
Wardrobe planning questions
| Element | What to confirm for your project |
| Depth — hinged, hanging clothes | Selected hangers, door movement, usable storage depth and available room space. |
| Depth — sliding doors | Selected door and track system, manufacturer requirements and clear internal storage space. |
| Depth — shelves only | Items to store, access, and the room's measured dimensions. |
| Depth — drawers | Selected drawer system and its installation dimensions. |
| Long hanging clear height | Long garments and the intended hanging arrangement. |
| Short hanging clear height (double hang) | Garments, rod locations, door arrangement and access to stored items. |
| Top shelf from floor | Ceiling height, user reach and what will be stored there. |
List the garments and items you want to store, then show the selected layout and internal fittings in the project drawings.
Details to settle before fabrication
Start with the measured room, cabinet use, nearby services and the material options Caramella can specify. Record the agreed choices in the quotation and approved drawings.
- Carcass material: ENF plywood unless another material is agreed for the project.
- Edge sealing: PUR edge sealing is the current Caramella specification. Confirm the board and edge detail in the quotation.
- Near a sink: show plumbing, access, cabinet joints and edge details in the approved layout. Cabinet material is not a substitute for leak repair or plumbing work.
- Hardware: the project specification identifies the chosen brand and model. Blum CLIP top is the primary hinge option; DTC is an alternative where specified.
- Kitchen kickboard: Confirm the selected material and base detail in the quotation.
- Countertop material: quartz stone. Granite, marble and solid surface are not used.
- Wet kitchens: choose a layout that fits the measured room, planned use and selected appliances. Coordinate ventilation and other services with the relevant trades.
- Government housing (RPN, STKRJ, Lugu): measure room dimensions, openings and services, then show fillers and clearances in the approved drawings.
What to check in a cabinet specification
Board and edge details
Check the stated carcass material, edge treatment and which exposed edges are included in the approved drawings.
Sink and service access
Confirm pipe routes, valves, access panels, cabinet joints and the responsibilities of the plumbing trade before fabrication.
Hardware model
Record the selected hinge and runner brand and model. Confirm that the fitting suits the door, drawer, opening and cabinet dimensions.
Wall and ventilation coordination
Show wall junctions, ventilation needs and nearby services on the drawings so the relevant trades can coordinate them with the cabinetry.
Compare written specifications, measured drawings, delivery and installation responsibilities, care guidance and warranty terms before choosing a cabinet maker.
What can affect a cabinet quotation?
Price depends on the measured layout, selected materials, hardware, accessories, countertop and installation scope. Ask for an itemised quotation showing included and excluded work before comparing options.
See what shapes a written quotation →
How to Plan a Layout Yourself, in Order
Use these checks to prepare for a discussion with the cabinet maker and the other trades involved.
- 1. Measure the room, not the cabinets. Record wall lengths at floor and at worktop height, ceiling height at several points, window sill heights, column and beam positions, and where the doors and windows swing.
- 2. Write down what has to be stored. List the garments, cookware, appliances and other items the cabinetry should accommodate.
- 3. Coordinate appliances and utilities. Record the selected models and the positions of power, water and other services. Check product requirements before finalizing adjacent cabinets.
- 4. Select a layout for the measured room. Consider openings, circulation, storage, appliance placement and how the room will be used.
- 5. Settle materials and hardware. Record carcass, edge-sealing, finish, worktop, kickboard and fitting choices in the quotation and approved drawings.
- 6. Check clearances. Confirm appliance doors, cabinet openings, ventilation and installation distances against the selected product instructions.
- 7. Check the quotation. Compare the same cabinetry, accessories, quartz countertop, delivery and installation scope against your budget.
A sketch or reference image can help explain your preferences. Ask which measurement, drawing and design services are included in the quotation, and approve the final project drawings before fabrication.
Final Checks Before You Commit
- Does every door and drawer open without hitting another one, a handle, or a wall?
- Do the measured circulation areas suit the planned use of the room?
- Is the tall unit clear of the window sill and the ceiling line?
- Are the power points reachable, and not trapped behind a cabinet back panel?
- Are sink access, plumbing coordination, cabinet joints and edge details shown in the drawings?
- Does the refrigerator door open fully past the adjacent return?
- Has the hob and hood manufacturer’s clearance figure been checked against the wall cabinet height?
- Have the ceiling and wall conditions been checked at the points where cabinets will be fitted?
What Caramella Does and Does Not Do
Clear scope prevents most misunderstandings, so it is stated plainly here.
| In scope | Out of scope |
| Kitchen cabinets, built-in wardrobes, TV consoles, shoe cabinets, study desks, bathroom vanities, feature walls and commercial cabinetry for fit-outs | Structural work, demolition, plumbing, electrical wiring, tiling, and anything requiring ABCI approval |
| Cabinet design and fabrication; measurement, drawings, edge sealing and installation scope are confirmed in the quotation | General contracting or project management across trades |
| Production lead time typically 10–14 weeks from confirmation and customer sign-off of the production drawings | Turnkey renovation |
| 1-year structural warranty; request the written terms and exclusions | — |
For any financing option, confirm current availability, eligibility and terms directly with the provider. See financing information →
Definitions
- Carcass — the box of the cabinet: sides, base, back and shelves, without doors or drawer fronts.
- Gable end — an exposed side panel of a cabinet run, usually visible at the end of a kitchen and finished to match the doors.
- Filler panel — a strip used to close a gap between a cabinet and a wall or another obstruction. The size and placement are shown in project drawings.
- Toe kick (also plinth) — the recessed panel at the base of a cabinet run that lets your feet sit under the worktop.
- Overhang — how far the worktop projects past the cabinet carcass in front.
- Corner cabinet — a cabinet at the meeting point of two runs. Its access and storage depend on the selected layout and any specified internal fitting.
- Work triangle — a planning sketch connecting the sink, hob and refrigerator. Use it as one way to discuss workflow, alongside the measured plan and appliance requirements.
- Wet and dry kitchen — terms people use for different kitchen functions or areas. Whether they are combined or separate depends on the home and household's needs.
- ENF grade — a classification shown in the product information for a board. Ask for supplier documentation for the specific board selected; the project quotation records the agreed carcass material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a standard height for kitchen cabinets?
This guide does not set a build dimension. Confirm the worktop and cabinet heights for the measured room, intended users, appliances and finished floor level in the project drawings.
How deep should kitchen cabinets be?
Depth depends on the room, storage, worktop, appliances and access needs. Ask for project-specific cabinet and worktop dimensions in the drawings.
How much space should there be between the countertop and the wall cabinets?
Check the current installation instructions for the selected hob and hood, then show their required clearances on the project drawings before fabrication.
How deep should a wardrobe be?
Confirm the usable storage space against the selected door and track system, intended contents and room measurements. The project drawings should identify the chosen fittings.
How much walking space does a kitchen need?
Check circulation and appliance-door movement on the measured layout for the intended use of the room. Confirm appliance installation details from the current product instructions.
Can I plan the cabinets myself and still have them built professionally?
A sketch or reference image can help communicate your preferences. Check it against room measurements, services, appliance instructions and the approved project drawings. Ask which measurement and design services are included in the quotation.