Finding adequate storage in a small home can feel like an impossible task. Closets overflow with clutter while cabinets jam packed with dishes and food scraps still don’t seem to meet your needs. But you don’t have to compromise your organization or decor to fit everything in your tiny house. Narrow depth storage cabinets provide a slim, space-saving design that slides right into the tightest corners and cracks. Customizable and chic, these shallow cabinets transform awkward areas into storage perfection.
Narrow cabinets make use of every inch by maximizing vertical storage in a smaller horizontal footprint. A slim 12-18 inch profile allows them to tuck neatly against walls, in alcoves, between appliances, and beyond. Their shallow shape fits spots that regular 25-30 inch deep cabinetry just can’t. Opening up hidden storage potential throughout your home.
Where Are Narrow Cabinets Most Useful?
Some rooms in your home likely need organizational help more than others. Here’s where narrow depth cabinets shine the brightest:
Bathrooms
With plumbing and fixtures taking up space, bathrooms often suffer from a lack of good storage. Narrow cabinets are perfect for tucking beside pedestal sinks or around toilets. Stash toilet paper, towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies and more right within arm’s reach. Corner narrow cabinets prevent wasted space and keep everything neat.
Under-sink slim cabinets stand upright on the floor or mount to the wall. Custom openings allow pipes and plumbing while interior shelves neatly stack all those lotions and potions we don’t like looking at!
Kitchens
Kitchens require a careful balance of counter space, cabinets, and appliances. When things start feeling cramped, narrow cabinets come to the rescue! Mount them between existing cabinets to gain a few extra inches. Or use them as end cabinets on a run to add storage without going deeper into the room.
Base narrow cabinets beside your fridge put snacks and cooking items right where you need them. While wall-mounted uppers act as extra pantries for dried goods or small appliances. The possibilities are practically endless!
Entryways
That landing spot between outside and your inner sanctuary tends to become everyone’s junk drawer. Entryway narrow cabinets create designated homes for all those items that seem out of place elsewhere. Hang wall cubbies for mittens, hats, and scarves. Console tables with cabinets corral keys, sunglasses, and mail in style. It’s the perfect hideout spot!
Living Spaces
Narrow media cabinets elegantly store your TV, players, and movie collections without protruding. Bookcases, curio cabinets, and display cases all benefit from the shallow narrow body. It prevents visual heaviness from encroaching too far into the room. Use creative cabinets to define spaces in open concept homes as well.
Construction of Narrow Depth Cabinets
While measurements make these cabinets unique, materials matter just as much for durability. Here’s an overview of what to expect:
Wood Choices
Natural wood narrow cabinets bring beautiful grains and tones into your home. Oak, maple, cherry, and bamboo are all common choices. The rich variation of wood grain patterns ensures no two cabinets are exactly the same.
Wood stains well for limitless custom finishes from white washes to espresso. Its natural warmth and texture add to any design. Sustainable bamboo offers incredible strength and a contemporary vibe.
Metals
Industrial style storage calls for the strength of metal cabinets. Stainless steel, powder coated steel, aluminum, and galvanized metals bring ultra-durable narrow cabinets. A sleek metal stand transports your storage from classic to cutting edge.
Pair metal cabinets with wood counters for an eclectic modern twist. Or go all metal for a seamless contemporary feel. From brilliant whites to matte blacks and everything between, metal’s neutrals allow the contents to shine.
Engineered Woods
Affordable engineered wood narrow cabinets offer reliable storage on a budget. Particle board and medium density fiberboard (MDF) craft attractive cabinets that still stand the test of time.
While engineered wood doesn’t offer the richness of natural woods, a coat of paint allows complete color customization. Durable laminates in wood grain, solid colors, and patterns suit nearly any decor as well.
Customizing Your Narrow Cabinets
Beyond choosing materials, custom elements give narrow depth cabinets unique personality and purpose. Get creative with your organization!
Interior Storage Components
Take advantage of every inch inside your narrow cabinet with adjustable features. Shelves and drawers conveniently stack items or pull out for access. Some even allow under-shelf storage for arranging upright items.
Mix open cubbies, enclosed cabinets, drawers and shelves within one piece for versatile storage. Easily reconfigure parts as needs change. Drawers with built-in dividers neatly sort contents as well.
Doors, Handles and Hinges
Doors keep contents neatly tucked away or showcase what’s inside. Hinged cabinet doors swing open in standard and corner cabinets. Roll-out tambour doors save even more space. While sliding doors smoothly glide items out of sight.
Match cabinet hardware like knobs, pulls, and handles to other finishes in the room. Soft-closing hinges prevent annoying slams – a must for cabinets holding precious wares!
Sizing
Standard narrow cabinet sizes allow combining multiple pieces across your home. Or upgrade to full customization with made-to-measure cabinets tailored to unique spaces. Companies craft cabinets suited to exact dimensions for the perfect built-in look.
Homestores now offer quick ship narrow cabinets arriving as soon as three days after ordering! This allows a flexible approach as you install and tweak parts for perfection.
Narrow Cabinet Ideas for Small Space Style
These slim storage pieces slide into tight spots with serious panache. Apply one of these narrow cabinet ideas to add beauty and function!
Bathroom
Tuck narrow cabinets into awkward alcoves or unused corners for spa-like storage. Add dimmable lighting within glass-front cabinets to spotlight lovely amenities. Or opt for enclosed shallow cabinets with ventilation slats to discretely house noisy grooming appliances.
Retrofit the gap between studs behind drywall into a recessed narrow cabinet for big storage. Mounting it off the floor creates an easy access toe-kick stash spot!
Kitchen
Repurpose the narrow channel beside your refrigerator or range as a specialty cabinet. Store cutting boards, baking sheets, table linens and other slim items flat and easy to access. Open shelves flanking the range neatly corral oils and spices for cooking.
Match existing cabinetry with complementary panels and hardware for a seamless look. Or make the narrow cabinet a unique focal point in a contrasting color and material.
Entryway
Narrow console tables with built-in organization transform cluttered entries into sophisticated spaces. Cubbies, shelves, and drawers handle everything from shoes to umbrellas. Top the cabinet with baskets or trays for extra storage options.
For a super slim option, use wall mounted rails or floating ledges. Hang wall cabinets at various heights for visual interest and designate each a purpose like gloves, pet leashes, keys, etc.
Repurpose a cut-down armoire or tall cabinet to shallow depths for a furniture look. The slim shape prevents visually overwhelming guests at the door.
Living Room
Low media consoles keep electronics organized while the narrow shape preserves walkways and sightlines. Enclosed cabinets prevent visible clutter while open shelving allows curating favorite items.
Frame out a shallow recessed cubby lined with cabinetry at the back of bookcases for even more storage. Picture ledges mounted above store artwork when not on display.
Do you collect small items or display fragile wares? Glass door narrow cabinets neatly show them off without dominating the room. Place alongside furniture or mount them on the wall almost anywhere.
Limited square footage and tight dimensions need not limit your interior design dreams or organizational musts. These slim storage cabinets squeeze into every home’s quirky spaces for serious function. With customized and stylish narrow cabinets, you can accommodate all your belongings while still enjoying open, uncluttered rooms.
Narrow cabinets make small feel anything but restricting. A shallow 12-18 inch depth allows them to tuck perfectly into tight and awkward areas in any room. Opening up storage potential where regular cabinetry just won’t fit. Customize the interior and exterior to meet your household needs and style preferences. Finally, unlock storage nirvana throughout your tiny home!
