About Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets can add a lot of character to a kitchen. They offer convenience and an aesthetic value that can light up a room. Whether it's reaching for a favorite coffee mug, hanging up a jacket or putting away an oil can, wall cabinets have importance in many aspects of a house.

Function

The main function of wall cabinets is to store items in an easy-to-reach, eye-level location. They can hold any number of items including pots, pans, dishes, bowls, canned goods and boxed and bagged foods.

Types

Other than the typical kitchen wall cabinets, here is a list of some other varieties and their descriptions:

Bathroom cabinets. These are specifically designed to hold personal items such as toothpaste, hair gels and mouthwash.

Display cabinets. These are usually hung in a living room or kitchen to display fine china, plates, awards or art work.

Utility cabinets. These are usually found in basements and garages and are used for the storage of hand tools, rags, paint and fasteners.

Wine rack cabinets. These cabinets store vintage wine bottles, glasses and cork screws.

Coat rack cabinets. These are large with hooks in the back to hang coats; sometimes they come with extra storage space for hats and gloves.

Compact disc or music cabinets. These are characterized by the little grooves running horizontally to slide CDs into.

Features

Most wall cabinets are made out of oak, cherry, maple, walnut or pine. They can be stained, varnished, painted or unfinished. The color of the cabinets depends on the wood being used and the type of stain or paint. There are some cabinets that are even made out of sheet metal.

Wall cabinets are fastened together through their face frames and are secured to the wall with heavy-duty screws. Most wall cabinets have multiple shelves inside except for smaller sizes.

Identification

A key cabinet organizer is a wall cabinet that is specifically designed to store keys. It is made out of wood or sheet metal and can store more than 200 keys at one time. The cabinet itself usually has a lock with two keys and it also has a numerical index with matching key tags.

Size

The size of cabinets can vary. The standard width of wall cabinets can range from 9 to 48 inches. This is measured off in 3-inch increments. The heights of wall cabinets have two determinations. Above sinks and stoves, the standard heights are 12, 18 and 24 inches. The standard heights for above counter tops are 30, 36 and 42 inches. Full-length, tall cabinets come in 84, 90 and 96 inches. The standard depth of wall cabinets is 12 inches. Cabinets can be built to special sizes as well.