When you look at a finished kitchen or built-in cabinetry project, everything seems seamless, doors align perfectly, drawers glide smoothly, and every inch looks intentional.

But behind that polished finish lies something far more important than the materials or color choices: the layout.

Cabinet layout is where design and function meet. It determines not only how your kitchen looks, but how it feels and works every day. And as cabinetry designers, we often see the same layout issues repeated across projects, small oversights that can cause big problems later on.

Part of our design philosophy is to prevent those problems before they ever reach the job site.

Below, we’re sharing some of the most common cabinetry layout mistakes, and the practical ways we avoid them through careful planning and precise technical drawings.

One of the first and most common mistakes is failing to account for appliance clearances.

Dishwasher doors that hit cabinet panels, refrigerator handles that block drawers, or microwaves that can’t fully open, all these stem from missing just a few inches on paper.

How we avoid it:

We confirm every appliance model and reference its official cut sheet before finalizing the drawing.

We always leave at least 2"–3" clearance beside major appliances to allow full door swing and airflow.

We double-check appliance handle depth (a commonly missed detail).

💡 Pro Tip: Appliance specifications should be locked in during the layout stage, not after drawings are completed.

Corners are tricky. When two cabinetry runs meet at a 90° angle, doors and drawers can collide, creating awkward or unusable spaces.

How we avoid it:

We maintain a 1½"–2" filler between perpendicular runs.

We design using blind corner solutions or diagonal corner cabinets to maximize storage.

We always test door swings directly in the plan view to ensure smooth movement.

💡 Pro Tip: In our 3D models, we simulate open-door positions to catch interferences early.

The work triangle, the relationship between sink, stove, and refrigerator, is a classic design principle for good reason.

If these three zones are too far apart or obstructed, the kitchen becomes inefficient and uncomfortable to use.

How we avoid it:

We keep each leg of the triangle between 4 to 9 feet for ideal movement.

We plan cabinetry runs that support a logical cooking flow.

We make sure islands and tall cabinets don’t disrupt the path between the three points.

💡 Pro Tip: Always visualize yourself cooking, can you move between prep, cook, and clean comfortably?

Even the most precise drawing can fail if the real-world site measurements aren’t verified.

Walls are rarely perfectly straight. Ceilings vary in height. Plumbing and electrical points may have shifted slightly after construction.

How we avoid it:

We always perform (or request) on-site measurement verification before finalizing drawings.

We recheck ceiling height, wall alignment, and window placement.

We update drawings immediately based on verified dimensions to ensure accuracy during installation.

💡 Pro Tip: Never rely solely on “as-built” or architectural plans. Always measure, trust the tape.

Fillers, side panels, crown moldings, and base trims may seem like minor details, but omitting them can cause serious alignment and spacing issues later.

How we avoid it:

We include filler spaces at the end of cabinetry runs to allow for adjustment on site.

We calculate the total height, including crown and light valance, in every elevation.

All trim details are clearly labeled in both plan and elevation drawings.

💡 Pro Tip: Fillers are functional, not optional , they allow the installer to adjust for site irregularities while keeping visual balance.

Cabinetry doesn’t exist in isolation,  it interacts with plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems.

Ignoring these during the design stage can result in misplaced outlets, blocked plumbing lines, or lighting fixtures that don’t align with cabinetry.

How we avoid it:

We coordinate early with the architect or general contractor to overlay electrical and plumbing layouts.

We mark all outlet positions, switches, and light fixtures in our elevations.

We indicate service panels or access areas where needed.

💡 Pro Tip: A well-coordinated cabinetry drawing reduces on-site questions and rework dramatically.

Not every client is the same height, and not every space can fit standard dimensions.

Ignoring ergonomics can result in cabinets that are uncomfortable to reach, counters that are too high, or appliances that are awkwardly positioned.

How we avoid it:

We adjust cabinet and counter heights to suit the user’s needs.

We plan clear walking paths and ensure minimum 36" walkway clearance.

We use 3D views to help clients visualize the scale and accessibility of their space.

💡 Pro Tip: Great cabinetry design feels intuitive, every handle and surface should be easy to reach and use.

Sometimes layouts look stunning on paper but make future access nearly impossible, like a fixed panel blocking a valve or a built-in appliance without clearance for servicing.

How we avoid it:

We plan removable panels or access openings behind appliances or under sinks.

We avoid enclosing mechanical components too tightly.

We prioritize long-term usability alongside beauty.

💡 Pro Tip: A smart layout looks good today and stays functional years down the line.

Final Thoughts

Cabinetry layout isn’t just about what looks good, it’s about what works well every single day.

Every measurement, clearance, and filler line matters because they define how the design performs in real life.

At THEINFINITELINES, our approach is simple yet powerful:

Clarity on paper leads to precision on site.

By catching these mistakes early, and designing with purpose and precision, we help our clients and builders bring cabinetry projects to life smoothly, accurately, and beautifully.