Tall units are ideal for storing everything from pantry products to pots and pans. Whether you add an integrated oven or keep yours for storing bulky cleaning items, the opportunities are truly endless.
Kitchen Cabinets Buying Guide
Your cabinets are arguably the most important aspect of your kitchen, which puts you under enormous pressure to choose correctly. What material should you choose, what finish is best for your design, and how will you maximise storage space?
Written by Cath Harrison (Head of Product) & Amy Fort (Product Expert)
Blog
Published
05 Feb 2026
Kitchen unit types explained
Before you can choose your kitchen cabinets, you need to know what’s available – and with so many options, it can feel overwhelming. The majority of your kitchen will consist of base and wall units, making this a useful place to begin.
Base units and walls unit
Base units are the foundation of any kitchen. They provide storage, house appliances, and, crucially, support your worktop, so picking quality carcasses is essential (more on materials later).
Wall units are, as the name suggests, fixed to your wall at eye level. In larger kitchens, wall units are ideal for storing tins, packets, glassware, and other items, but they can overwhelm smaller spaces, which is why some people opt for open shelving instead.
In addition to the standard base and wall units, specialist kitchen cabinets offer an alternative.
Kitchen unit types
Kitchen unit types
Kitchen cabinet material
Your choice of cabinet material will determine your kitchen's lifespan, but it also comes with budget considerations. The denser the material, the more robust it tends to be, and that comes with a higher price tag.
While it’s not always possible to choose the material when buying a kitchen, it’s an important consideration to keep in mind so you can make a well-informed decision when you’re picking a kitchen supplier.
Common materials to be aware of include MFC (melamine-faced chipboard), MDF, and solid wood.
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Material |
Pros |
Cons |
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MFC |
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Painted MDF |
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Solid wood |
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MDF and MFC are significantly improved with foil wrapping and laminating. The foil layer helps protect against moisture, reducing the risk of swelling and warping, and provides a tougher, more scratch-resistant surface.
Cabinet door styles and finishes
At this point, it’s useful to distinguish between the carcass and the doors. The carcass is the skeleton – the bit you can’t see until you open the cupboard door (or drawer).
The majority of our carcasses are white, but we also offer oak and anthracite to match doors in the Ascoli range. Your choice of units is largely determined by the space you have available. It’s the cupboard doors where you can really get creative, from picking colours to cabinet finishes and styles.
Start by thinking about the kitchen style you’d like. Shaker kitchens are characterised by panel doors in painted wood that suit traditional designs, while modern kitchens typically feature slab doors in a gloss finish. You may also want to consider adding an accent cupboard with glazed doors for an open, elegant look.
Keep reading: A guide to gloss vs matt cabinets.
Kitchen unit styles
Kitchen unit styles
Interior fittings and storage
The interior fittings in your units are just as important as the exterior. This is where you can squeeze the most out of your space for maximum efficiency. With our innovative storage solutions, you can streamline your kitchen workflow and take the stress out of family dinners. Pair each kitchen unit type with a complementary interior fitting for a neat fit that optimises the space. Check out these ultra-smart unit combinations:
The finishing touches
Your units make up the bulk of your kitchen, but before you can move on, there are several finishing touches to add, such as picking your cupboard door handles.
Here are several other things to consider:
- Plinths are matching boards at the bottom of your cabinets, which hide the unsightly legs on standard units. If you’ve opted for a fitted kitchen, you’ll need plinths, whereas freestanding kitchens don’t require them.
- Cornices are decorative additions to the top of your cabinets that hide whatever you plan to store up there. Cornices work well with traditional Shaker kitchens, neatly finishing the tops of cabinets with decorative trim.
- Soft-close hinges are fitted to the inside of your cabinets and drawers for a gentle, quiet close.
Kitchen cabinet sizes
Generally, kitchen cabinets are sold in standard sizes that align with European appliances. It is also possible to buy a bespoke kitchen, crafted by specialists to fit your space exactly, but you can expect to pay significantly more for this than you would for cabinets sold in standard widths.
The most common width is 600mm, but other sizes are available from 150mm to 1000mm. The depth and height are always the same unless otherwise specified. Magnet’s base units are a standard 704mm high and 600mm deep.
Measuring your kitchen space for cabinets is a useful exercise to get a rough idea of how many units you’ll need and how much it’s likely to cost.
How many kitchen units will I need?
8 units small kitchen (10㎡)
12 units medium kitchen (15㎡)
16 units large kitchen (20㎡)
20 units extra-large kitchen (25㎡)
Once you’ve measured the space, you can use our cost calculator to get a guide price for your new fitted kitchen. Before we finalise your design, we will visit you to take our own measurements so we can ensure that we’re maximising every square inch of your space.
How to buy kitchen cabinets
Buying your cabinets from Magnet is a seamless experience. Your personal kitchen designer will assist you throughout the entire process, from a home measure to the installation of your dream kitchen.
Picking your kitchen cabinets is just one of the many things we’ll help you with during your journey with us. From colour selections and interior fittings to door hardware, our team of experts has all the details you need about cabinets to help you make an informed decision.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re still looking for information we may have missed, you might find it in our cabinet FAQs. Can’t find what you need? Call us or visit your nearest Magnet store to discuss your ideas with our kitchen designers.
You have the choice of using Magnet’s accredited team of kitchen installers or your own independent joiner and kitchen fitter. If you decide to use your own supplier, we’ll work with them closely to ensure a smooth handover.
Shaker cabinets remain popular, known for their raised panels and versatile appeal, which suit both modern and traditional kitchens. Additionally, two-tone cabinets, combining different colours or finishes, are also trending, adding depth and character to kitchen designs. Natural wood finishes and muted colours are also favoured for their timeless elegance and ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Panel cabinets are a type of cabinetry with flat panels made from materials such as wood or MDF. They come in various styles, including raised, flat, and recessed panels, each offering a distinct aesthetic. This versatility allows panel cabinets to complement a range of design styles, from traditional to modern.
Our cabinets are built to the highest standards by master craftsmen and women, recognised as experts in their trade. That’s why we’re confident our units can withstand the trials of daily life in a busy family home. All our carcasses come with a lifetime guarantee as part of our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
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