What Are the Different Cabinet Types? Base, Wall, and Pantry Cabinets Explained

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Which Cabinet Types Are Best for Your Project?

Cabinets form the backbone of the kitchen and may add value, function, and beauty to your home. In its simplest form, a cabinet is just a box on the wall, however, they are defined by their most common location.

There are three types of basic cabinets: wall, base and tall. Variations of these basic cabinets are used to store specific cookware, display art or dishware, and reinforce a style with custom cabinet design.

Cabinets can be combined to form another cabinet type. For example, stacked wall cabinets can form a tall utility or pantry cabinet that reaches from floor to ceiling. Combining base and wall cabinets for an island can create a unique layered design. A drawer base cabinet can also be stacked with a wall cabinet to configure a wall oven cabinet. Combinations of varying types of kitchen cabinets can be used to create an endless assortment of custom kitchens.

Cabinet Types by Category

Base Cabinets

Base cabinets set the footprint for your floor plan and bear most of the everyday work. Base cabinets are mounted on the floor that support the countertops. Kitchen islands are created from multiple base cabinets and installed on site.

These cabinets can be customized in a few different ways, specifically when it comes to storage solutions. Roll-out trays, cutlery drawers, pots and pans pull-out organizers, pull-out spice racks, and waste basket roll-outs are just some of the options that you can include in your kitchen design to make it more functional and effective.

Navy hudson buffet base cabinets with brushed nickel drawer pulls and knobs with gray quartz countertops

Wall Cabinets

The obvious – wall cabinets are cabinets that mount to the wall. Wall cabinets are also called upper cabinets or “uppers.” These cabinets have the most design flexibility: varying three different heights, multiple widths, custom depth options and glass door options. Wall cabinets stacked as base and tall cabinets from floor to ceiling create an accent wall that can house everything from cookbooks to appliances. Wall cabinets can extend to the ceiling, making use of high spaces for storing infrequently used specialty serve ware and cookware.

Pantry/Utility Tall Cabinets

A tall pantry or utility cabinet can extend from floor to ceiling. It provides as much as four cubic feet more storage than a wall and base cabinet in the same space. As a pantry it provides storage for everything from small appliances to canned goods. The tall utility cabinet can also be configured to accommodate built-in ovens and microwaves.

Just like base cabinets, utility cabinets can also be expertly organized to better serve you and your family. There are several pantry storage options available, including pull-out storage that can be used for storing spices, roll-out trays that can offer easy access to pantry items and dry goods, and lazy susans that make the most of tight spaces such as corner cabinets. They can also serve multiple functions, for example, tall utility cabinets offer a great amount of storage for a mudroom or laundry room.