The 10’x 10′ kitchen is an almost mythical thing.
Billboards, websites, and Sunday newspapers are full of advertisements for 10′ x 10′ kitchens, but according to an ABC news report, fewer and fewer homes have kitchens this size anymore. In fact, the average kitchen has ballooned to over 300 square feet, so why do cabinet manufacturers advertise 10′ x 10′ kitchens so widely?
Easy Comparison
Simplicity is the answer. A long time ago, cabinet manufacturers realized that 10′ x 10′ was a good size for a kitchen: large enough to accommodate all the standard appliances and services, but not so large that floor space began to figure heavily in square footage. 10′ x 10′ began to be used as the yardstick or base measurement unit for kitchens. Since kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, the cabinets that comprise them also come in infinite varieties. Without a standard yardstick, sight-unseen price estimates would mean very little and comparison shopping from one manufacturer to another would have little value.
What Comes in a 10′ x 10′ Kitchen?
Custom cabinets, unlike stock cabinets, are made to order, not pieced together from mass-manufactured kits. This means custom cabinets have a lot more flexibility, but it also means defining precisely what is included in a 10′ x 10′ kitchen can be difficult. However, a typical custom 10′ x 10′ kitchen will include a certain number of common components, such as upper and base cabinets, drawers, upper refrigerator cabinets, hood cabinets, and a sink cabinet. 10′ x 10′ kitchens usually only include cabinets, so it’s important to remember what typically isn’t included: appliances, flooring, a sink and faucet, moldings and decorative cabinet hardware, and countertops.
When comparison shopping, using a 10′ x 10′ sample kitchen as a yardstick can be helpful to a point, but it’s important to remember that not all 10′ x 10′ kitchens are created equal. A helpful analogy is automobile shopping. Vehicles with longer wheelbases are generally more expensive, but there can be huge differences in price and quality between two similarly-sized vehicles.
If you’re in the market for a new custom kitchen, we can help. Talking to a professional is a huge help when designing a new kitchen. We can show you different layouts and cabinet designs and help you choose one that fits your taste, your lifestyle, and your budget. We offer free estimates and we can often meet or beat big box store prices, so if you’re ready to renovate or redo your outdated kitchen, contact us today.
