how far over should cabinets go on this wall

5 years ago

We have a spot off our kitchen that we’d like to build a bar area in (glass uppers and one base cabinet next to a beverage fridge). The width of the wall is 60” but to the left there is a doorway that is reasonably narrow. I am worried if I use the full 60” that it will feel too cramped. But if I don’t go the full width will it look odd/off center? Grateful for any thoughts! Thanks!

Featured Answer

felizlady

5 years ago

Do you like the look of a glass-front or stainless steel beverage fridge? I would prefer a bev/fridge with a cabinet door to match the rest of the lower cabinet and glass doors on the upper for glassware. Are you planning to have the lower cabinet built in or free-standing? In a 60” space, a 48” wide free-standing cabinet will fit nicely and not look too bulky. Does that blank cover plate hide an electrical outlet? Would you want the upper cabinet to have lighting inside? Lower cabinets for a bar don’t need to be 24” deep...it makes finding a particular bottle more difficult if it gets pushed to the back. 18” or so is deep enough unless the only bar fridge you like is 24” deep.

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Comments (10)

acm
5 years ago
There's not a strict right answer -- you can create a balanced installation in a variety of ways. Personally, I think I'd go a bit closer than your current cabinet, but not all the way to the doorway.

Dug around to see if I could find a few examples, which might help you visualize:

Yaskin Office · More Info

Teri Turan · More Info

Bar area off Kitchen with Beverage Center · More Info

GREEN with Envy: LEED Certified Whole House Renovation · More Info
Aglitter
5 years ago
What is meant by "reasonably narrow?" If you have at least 32" of doorway width, you can take cabinetry up to the edge. If less than that, I would hesitate because people will be coming at somewhat of an angle to the entrance on occasion and may need some room to angle in to a narrower doorway. Function informs form. It's better to have the doorway accessible at a slight angle of approach than to feel like the cabinets could have been wider on a wall. Once installed, I don't think you'll notice extra space left around the door however much you choose for it to be. Another option is to make that station a triangular one with corner cabinetry so it's plenty far away from the doorway.
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Michelle Flaherty
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks acm and silverlined. I think its the standard size doorway but there is also another door that swings open into that space (leads to the basement). I know it will technically all fit but just am a little worried about the "feel" once there are 24" deep lower cabinets there. Hopefully a few inches will suffice.
petula67
5 years ago
I'd either go all the way to the edge with the base unit, or pull back about 4 inches from the edge. Leaving a small sliver of space will look accidental, and won't deliver much benefit relative to inches gained lost.
Michelle Flaherty
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks! appreciate it!
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Your fridge will set the size of the cabinet next to it and 60” is not a wide space . IMO we need to see the whole space not just that corner. Sometimes thing will physically fit but not function well. BTW the fridge depth needs to also be considered including the space needed around it.
Michelle Flaherty thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Michelle Flaherty
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks all! Here is a better pic. I had tried to look for a shallower depth fridge but didn’t see many that are built in.
I was thinking two uppers w glass doors and then maybe 2 walnut shelves in between to coordinate w island. Then on bottom just one large cabinet - either 30 or 24 to fit the fridge.