What is a one wall kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A one wall kitchen, also called a single wall kitchen, puts every cabinet and appliance on a single wall. It has no corners, the smallest footprint and the lowest cabinet count of any layout, which suits apartments, small homes and open plans, and it is often paired with an island for extra counter. The usual order is the refrigerator at one end, the sink in the middle and the range toward the other end, with counter between each, and a pantry or tall cabinet to finish an end. Wall cabinets, or a run up to the ceiling, make up for the storage a second wall would give. RTA Cabinets Plus stocks every cabinet in the run, and the boxes click together on a licensed system.
What goes where in a one wall kitchen.
One run, end to end. Keep counter between the sink and the range, and between the range and anything tall.
- One end
- The refrigerator. A 24" deep wall cabinet, 30", 33" or 36" wide, over the refrigerator, with a refrigerator return panel to frame its exposed side.
- The middle
- A sink base, 24" to 42" wide, or a 30", 33" or 36" farm sink base, with a 24" dishwasher opening beside it and a drawer base on the other side.
- Toward the other end
- A 30" or 36" range opening between drawer bases, 12" to 36" wide, with a 30" microwave wall cabinet or a hood above it.
- The far end
- A pantry, 18", 24" or 30" wide, or a 33" oven cabinet, 84", 90" or 96" tall, at the end of a run so it does not break up the counter.
- Above the counter
- Wall cabinets 12" deep, 30", 36" or 42" tall depending on the ceiling, in widths from 9" to 42", with crown molding on top and light rail underneath. On a tall ceiling, run the wall cabinets up to it for the most storage.
- The finish
- End panels at both ends of the run, fillers at the walls, toe kick, crown and light rail.
Where a one wall kitchen works, and where it does not.
| Works well | Watch for | |
|---|---|---|
| Space | The smallest footprint; leaves the room open | Least counter and storage of any layout |
| Cost | No corner cabinets and the lowest cabinet count | Tall cabinets and wall cabinets to the ceiling add back cost |
| Flow | Simple, with nothing to walk around | A long wall means walking end to end between the refrigerator and the range |
| Expansion | Pairs well with an island | An island needs open floor in front of the wall |
Four rules for a good one wall kitchen.
- Keep the sink in the middle. With counter on both sides, it serves the refrigerator end and the range end equally.
- Leave counter beside the range. Do not put the range hard against a tall cabinet or the end of the run.
- Build up, not out. Use 42" wall cabinets or stack them toward the ceiling, and a pantry at an end, to recover storage.
- Consider an island. If there is open floor in front, an island adds the counter a second wall would have given.
Get your one wall kitchen drawn free.
- Get it drawn free
- Pick the layout on the design page, enter the wall lengths and where the sink, range and refrigerator go, and choose a door style and finish. Send the measurements and a designer draws the kitchen for free, within 1 business day: a floor plan, 3D renders, an itemized parts list and a price, with no obligation to buy.
What people ask next.
What is a one wall kitchen?
A kitchen with every cabinet and appliance on a single wall, with no inside corners. It is also called a single wall kitchen.
How do you lay out a one wall kitchen?
Refrigerator at one end, sink in the middle, range toward the other end, with counter between each, and a pantry or tall cabinet to finish an end. Wall cabinets run above the counter.
How do you get more storage in a one wall kitchen?
Run the wall cabinets taller (42", or stacked to the ceiling), add a pantry cabinet up to 96" tall at an end, use drawer bases instead of doors, or add an island if the floor allows.
Is a one wall kitchen cheaper?
Usually, because it has the fewest cabinets and no corner cabinets. Taller wall cabinets and pantries to recover storage add some of that back.
Who we areRTA Cabinets Plus is an independently owned retailer that sells ready to assemble kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities direct to homeowners, remodelers and trade buyers. Made by a manufacturer that builds cabinets for one of the largest semi-custom brands in the U.S.
Which kitchen layout is right for your room?
The six kitchen layouts compared: L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, island, one wall and G-shaped. The cabinets each one needs, room size, pros and cons.
What is an L-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
An L-shaped kitchen uses two walls and one corner. The cabinet run it needs, the corner choices, the sizes, the pros and cons, and a free design.
What is a U-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A U-shaped kitchen uses three walls and two corners for the most storage. The cabinet run, corner choices, room width, pros and cons, and a free design.
What is a galley kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A galley kitchen uses two parallel runs and no corners. The cabinet run, the walkway width, the pros and cons, and a free design from your measurements.
How do you plan a kitchen island, and what cabinets does it need?
Planning a kitchen island: the walkway it needs, the base cabinets and panels it is built from, seating overhang, a sink in the island, and a free design.
What is a G-shaped kitchen, and what cabinets does it need?
A G-shaped kitchen is a U with a peninsula. The cabinet run, the three corners, peninsula seating, room size, pros and cons, and a free design.
Want a person to check your plan?(305) 782-7587, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm ET. Or send your measurements for a free design.