When planning your kitchen it’s really important that you consider how you want to fit your cabinets around corners. Here at DIY Kitchens we have a number of options that are both stylish and practical. We are able to offer standard corner cabinets, ‘L’ shaped corner cabinets, curved corner cabinets and diagonal corner cabinets and we also have lots of clever accessories to make access into the cabinets much simpler.

Standard Corner Cabinets

These types of corner cabinets provide the most flexible option for planning around a corner and incorporate a corner post, which is an essential component as it prevents your handles from clashing when doors or drawers are opened (See the green square below which shows the 70x70mm corner post).

Standard Corner Base Cabinets

These cabinets are available in varying widths from 900mm to 1700mm, and, as a general rule when planning your kitchen, we suggest spacing your cabinet 130mm from the wall. For example, if you wish to install a 1000mm corner base cabinet, the total space required is 1130mm and the adjacent cabinet would require spacing 630mm from the wall (Indicated by the green line below).

Plan A Kitchen Corner

*There is also a 42mm service void built into the backs of all base units. This is included in the 560mm depth.

Standard Corner Wall Cabinets

These cabinets are available in varying widths from 600mm to 900mm, and as a general rule when planning your kitchen, we suggest spacing your cabinet 30mm from the wall. For example, if you wish to install a 600mm corner wall cabinet, the total space required for your plan is 630mm and the adjacent wall cabinet would require spacing 330mm from the wall.

Plan a wall corner unit

*There is also a 17mm service void built into the backs of all wall units. This is included in the 300mm depth.

If you are unable to follow our general planning guidance for standard corner cabinets, don’t worry, here at DIY Kitchens we are able to supply you with panels (in the same finish as your door or cabinet) that you can cut to suit your requirements – just remember that you must take in to account the size of your handles and ensure that the layout of the corner doesn’t result in the handles clashing!

‘L’ Shaped, Curved and Diagonal Corner Cabinets:

‘L’ Shaped, Curved & Diagonal Corner Base Cabinets – When planning this type of corner cabinet, you’ll need a space measuring 900mm x 900mm.

‘L’ Shaped, Curved & Diagonal Corner Wall Cabinets – When planning this type of corner cabinet, you’ll need a space measuring 600mm x 600mm.

 




Download our mobile app

Looking for some kitchen inspiration? Take a look at some of our real customer kitchens, video reviews as well as advice in our mobile app. We’ll also keep you up to date with any new ranges and offers that we have available.

Up to 50% off competitor kitchen prices

At DIY Kitchens, not only do you get a quality rigid built kitchen but you also get it at a fabulous price too! Price your kitchen up on our site and you could see savings  of up to 50% off other kitchen quotes that you’ve had.

Take a look at our kitchen price comparison page here.



Real customer kitchens

Get some inspiration for designing your own new kitchen with over 3,000 pictures of our customers’ kitchens that they ordered from us.

Related articles

45 thoughts on “How to plan a kitchen corner”
  • Yvonne says:

    Hi, my corner unit needs to house a 1.5 sink. Would a 1100mm corner unit work and what width is the door of the unit? Thanks

     
    March 12, 2021 at 1:48 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, the actual 1.5 sink bowls would fit inside a 1100mm wide unit. If the actual dimensions of the sink are wider, then it is usually the draining board taking up the additional space, which just rests inside the worktop.

      The blanking panels on corner base units are always 500mm wide. So, 1100mm – 500mm would give you a 600mm wide door.

       
      March 12, 2021 at 1:55 pm
  • Luke says:

    Hi,

    We are having a corner unit which is normal base cabinet height and then a tall appliance housing and tall larder as the return. How does this affect the worktop as the is 620mm but the corner cabinet sits out 630mm. Is there any advice on how to stop having 10mm of worktop.

     
    February 15, 2021 at 2:57 pm
    • DIY Kitchens says:

      Hi, the units are 560mm deep, then add on the 70mm corner post to allow units to open correctly, gives you a gap to cover of 630mm (up to the tall unit that is being used as a return). The best way to fill the gap is have a piece of worktop in that corner, spanning from the wall to the side of the tall unit, then you have another piece of worktop that spans the units on the adjacent run that connects into the corner. Or you could trim the corner post down to 60mm and fit the worktop flush.

      If you need anymore help with this then our sales team will be able to assist on 01977 608 418 (M-F, 9am – 5pm).

       
      February 16, 2021 at 12:02 pm
  • Sarah says:

    Hi I’m looking to purchase the Luca Gloss Grey, and just finishing up on the last minute details for space etc.. I will be fitting a u shaped kitchen and the left wall will have a tall larder corner unit 800mm (930mm incl. service void) and reading the blogs I know now that I need to add 70mm to (630mm to straight wall) The tall larder units do not seem to come with corner posts – is it correct to buy a plinth and cut down the middle for 70mm either side for corner post? I’m also having a corner base sink unit coming from the right wall so have added 70mm to the back wall space size (but a corner post comes with base units doesn’t it?) Sorry if confusing questions

     
    February 6, 2021 at 4:27 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, the Luca tall corner units do not come with corner posts, you can use plinth or end panels to create this on site. We do recommend using end panels as they have a better finish. Our base corner units do come with a corner post included. If you need anymore help with this then our sales team will be able to assist on 01977 608 418 (M-F, 9am – 5pm).

       
      February 8, 2021 at 11:49 am
  • Diy Kitchens says:

    Please promote your business elsewhere!

     
    September 13, 2019 at 8:10 am
  • Mike Kilby says:

    Hi,

    Unfortunately our only place for a larder is in a corner (1 metre x 1 metre). I know that the obvious answer is a standard corner larder, but we were really sold on the tandem swing-out larders (500mm/600mm) and I’m hoping to be able to fit one of these at a 45deg angle across the corner. Could you tell me if this is possible and will it present any problems (other than losing half the space)? Thanks

     
    March 17, 2019 at 1:03 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi Mike, as the Tandem Larder Mechanisms usually fit to one side of the Larder unit and the Top and Bottom of the unit, in theory, you should be able to fit it into a Corner Larder Unit. However, this unit would require the door to be hinged to the gable end of the unit and not the Corner Post, which is the case on our Corner Larder Units.

      Therefore, I would recommend ordering a standard Swing-out Larder and simply blanking the Corner Space off.

       
      March 20, 2019 at 2:57 pm
  • Dan says:

    what size draws come in the 900 and 800 units? can the units be cut down to take in a boxed in soil pipe in far corner of room, if not how would you suggest getting round it?

     
    June 3, 2018 at 10:55 pm
  • M Jenkinson says:

    Hello

    I have a 1000mm sink unit, and on the left hand side coming down my kitchen is another 1000mm unit and on the right hand side again coming down my galley kitchen I have a 1000mm unit

    Can I change the right hand unit to 800mm ??

     
    October 15, 2017 at 8:12 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, I’m not able to give you an answer to this, as I don’t fully understand your question. If you give our sales a team a quick call on 01977 608 418 then they should be able to assist you.

       
      October 16, 2017 at 2:26 pm
  • Derek says:

    I have an unusual corner in that one side will be occupied by an integrated washing machine with appliance door, and the other will just be a standard base unit (so no service void). This is because I need to be able to reach plumbing in the corner, and this will be possible by simply pulling out the washing machine, and reachine down the side of the base unit. Looking at the diagram above, imagine Unit A will be my washing machine, and Unit B my base unit.

    So I need to attach my Luca corner post to the end of the base unit (so Unit B if comparing to the above illustration). Presumably there should be no issue with this, provided I just use correctly sized blocks/bracket to attach to the base unit?

     
    August 17, 2017 at 10:48 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, that’s fine. You can use a void corner and just use a corner post instead. You will end up with the same dimensions and appearance as the diagram, barring the extra storage of the corner base.

      I personally would still use a corner base and just remove most of the blanking panel, making the rear accessable when the washing machine is pulled out, this option would give greater stability, better worktop support and overall, easier to fit

       
      August 18, 2017 at 10:47 am
  • Toria says:

    Hi – are there any plans to introduce a range of corner drawer units?

     
    March 31, 2017 at 9:29 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, there are no plans to introduce corner drawer packs but you could fit a pack diagonally and then run units off either side if required.

       
      April 3, 2017 at 11:08 am
  • carol parkin says:

    Hello can you get a hinge restrictor the door on my corner unit opens back on to opposite door I am concerned it might damage it Thanks

     
    October 16, 2016 at 9:22 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, sorry but we don’t have any hinge restrictor clips. If you do get some clips then this video shows how to insert them, so that the door only opens to a maximum of 87 degrees rather than 110 degrees:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5f_22UL2Vo

       
      October 17, 2016 at 10:29 am
  • Joanne devine says:

    Hi the l shaped corner base units I see they come in standard size of 900×900 but is it possible to have it made to 700×700?

     
    April 27, 2016 at 2:51 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, sorry but they are only available in 900x900mm.

       
      April 27, 2016 at 3:27 pm
  • Emma says:

    Do I need a corner post for a corner wall cabinet or do I just use a filler piece?

     
    April 19, 2016 at 7:02 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Filler pieces are fine to use. You do not require a full corner post unless you want to mirror the exact finish below but this does mean ordering another base corner post and this will need to be cut and altered on site by the installer.

       
      April 20, 2016 at 10:03 am
  • Derek says:

    I have a corner which due to a window recess etc is not a true space (think more M-shaped with smaller square shape occupying the internal corner). I think my only option would be at one side to say have an 800 unit, with a 500 door and a corner post. Will this work? I take it there are no holes for the corner post to be fitted, and it has to be manually positioned/fixed anyway?

     
    September 8, 2015 at 12:10 pm
    • Derek says:

      A possible alternative (though the cutout looks a bit small) is for me to use SKU FD99-PWS – it is 900 wide but what is the width of each side, before the triangle cut-out in the corner?

       
      September 8, 2015 at 12:19 pm
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi,

        If you look at the video on the page below (16 seconds in) you will see the L shaped kitchen unit and the size of the service void is shown a few more seconds in. The actual length of each side of the unit, without the triangle cut out is 900mm (side width) – 310mm (service void) = 590mm

        https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/video-help/corner-unit-planning/

         
        September 8, 2015 at 12:56 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi, our corner units start at 900mm but I think specials can be made at 800, depending on kitchen style (you would need to ring the sales team on 01977 608 418 and ask if it is possible to cut one 800 wide)

      The page below shows corner units and their corresponding door sizes. There is always a blanking panel of 500mm on standard corner sizes. If one could be made 800 wide then your door size would be 400mm, the same as the blanking panel to achieve the 800 width.

      https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/corner-base-unit-door-blanking-panel-sizes/

      With regards to the corner post, there are no holes for this, it is screwed into position using the units either side, once you have offered all the units up to the walls so that you can see the exact size the corner post needs cutting down to.

       
      September 8, 2015 at 1:08 pm
      • Derek says:

        Need to measure when I get home if the L-shaped and its void is suitable.

        But, in theory I could have a normal base unit (say 800 but this was just arbitrary rather than exact) with a door (lets say 600) fitted, then I just fit a corner post (40 thickness, or is it 70 – not important at this stage) adjacent to the door and it would leave a remaining gap of approx 160 remaining which could be hidden by the other right-angled run of cabinets?

         
        September 8, 2015 at 2:48 pm
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        What you are saying is possible but it would not be ideal.

        An 800 normal base unit comes with 2 x 400 doors fitted, that open from the centre outwards. In theory there is nothing stopping you ordering another door at the size you need and attaching this to the 800 wide unit. The 800 unit also has a centre post inside the unit going from top to bottom as shown below. (FD8).

        800mm Double Base Unit

        A bigger door would fit but would overlap this a lot. You would then need your corner post to go around the corner to the adjacent unit.

        A corner post can be whatever size you need but you need to remember that standard base units are 560mm deep. The other right angled run of cabinets need at least 580mm from wall to door. The additional space taken by the corner post then gives you space to open your doors without handles clashing.

        These may be a good articles to read, they have diagrams to show how units meet in the corner as well as info on service voids.

        https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/what-are-kitchen-corner-posts-and-why-are-they-needed/

        https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/what-is-a-kitchen-unit-service-void/

        I hope this helps.

         
        September 8, 2015 at 3:11 pm
  • Mike says:

    Hi,

    Stupid questyion but… do corner units need a corner post?

     
    June 18, 2015 at 12:06 pm
  • Robert Newnham says:

    I am looking at putting in a standard corner base cabinet in my kitchen. However there will be no units on the return as this space will have a free standing washing machine. Therefore, I presume I don’t need a corner post? Do I need anything like an end panel to make the space underneath the worktop look nice?

     
    June 3, 2015 at 9:47 pm
  • John Markwell says:

    Hi

    Can the corner post be cut down at all?

    In my plan I have 65mm left over in the corner. Would this be sufficient to avoid clashing of doors?

    Thanks

     
    January 21, 2015 at 1:40 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi,

      We do advise now to have a corner post of around 70mm. 65mm should be OK but you may need to choose handles that don’t stick out too much to prevent handles from clashing.

       
      January 21, 2015 at 2:09 pm
      • John Markwell says:

        Thanks,

        In cases where the gap is more than 70mm, I’m assuming I could cut down a larger piece to make a ‘custom’ corner post.

        Can you please advise which product I would use to do this?

        John

         
        January 22, 2015 at 9:42 am
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi,

        Our corner post material is 100mm wide so that it can be cut down. An example of the corner post that you would need is below.

        https://www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/plinths-panels-and-accessories/corner-posts/wp2018838/

         
        January 22, 2015 at 10:40 am
      • John Markwell says:

        Thanks again for this good advice.

        Final question: I have a gap between units in the corner which is greater than the 100mm allowed for in your standard corner post. Is there a bigger product available in door material which can be cut down to size?

        Cheers

         
        January 23, 2015 at 2:20 pm
      • Diy Kitchens says:

        Hi,

        you could order an end panel in door material and cut it down but a corner post greater than 10cm might look a bit too big.

        It might be worth trying to get slightly bigger units to absorb some of that space or get a slightly smaller unit somewhere in the run and put in a 100mm wide unit, for example, as shown below.

        https://www.diy-kitchens.com/kitchen-units/base/150mm-single-highline-kitchen-base-units/wp7941/

         
        January 23, 2015 at 2:30 pm
  • paul says:

    can a integeral dishwasher be fitted next to a corner post and if so what size post required to avoid clash with handles on the unit the post is fixed too

     
    January 20, 2015 at 2:22 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi,

      Yes you can, the corner post in most ranges is sent in 2 pieces, so you can cut them to size. They are designed to give enough clearance for the doors and handles to clear each other. 70mm x 70mm is a good size for a corner post.

       
      January 20, 2015 at 3:54 pm
  • Gemma says:

    In the above diagram you show the unit to be 600mm depth plus 30mm space for corner post, however as your units are only 560mm depth plus (on average) 20mm door, doesn’t this mean you would already have a 20mm space from the edge of the door to end of the worksurface? Would you need a 50mm corner post?

     
    January 20, 2015 at 7:22 am
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi,

      In the diagram above, the top unit has a depth of 560mm +70mm corner post = 630mm.

      Your worktop would be 560mm in depth + 20mm to cover the door + 20mm overhang (600mm in total)

      I hope this helps

       
      January 20, 2015 at 10:06 am
  • Amanda says:

    How do I secure the corner post in? There don’t appear to be any fittings or spaces for nails. Should it be glued? Any recommendations on best type of fixture?

     
    August 12, 2014 at 7:00 pm
    • Diy Kitchens says:

      Hi,

      A corner post can be secured into place with some small brackets and screws, alternatively it could be glued into position but if you ever had to remove it then it could damage the units that it is attached too. Screws and brackets are probably the best way to go.

       
      August 14, 2014 at 8:58 am
Leave A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.