Fundamentals of Corner Kitchen Planning

A corner kitchen optimally utilizes the room corner by using specially made base cabinets. A typical corner base cabinet consists of a half-corner cabinet and a factory-cut corner filler piece (also called "corner filler"), which together provide a precise and functional solution.

A corner cabinet is a special base cabinet that is used in the corner of an L-shaped kitchen. It consists of a half-corner cabinet and a corner connector and is designed for optimal use of space in the kitchen corner.

A corner base cabinet with a corner connector requires a certain minimum footprint in the kitchen corner. Typically, a small square free space remains directly in the corner. The cabinet body extends along both walls from this free space – for example, about 65 cm from the corner on one side and about 115 cm on the other. Many manufacturers offer corner cabinets with fixed body dimensions (e.g., 90 cm or 100 cm leg length), so the exact requirements may vary slightly depending on the model. It is important to measure the wall lengths from the corner accurately and ensure that these planned dimensions are freely available in the kitchen.

'For example, from nobilia Corner Cabinet with Swivel Pull-Out UEDSA100-50'

• Footprint (red): The total area occupied by the corner cabinet (e.g. 1150 mm × 650 mm)
• Body dimensions (green): The pure dimensions of the cabinet body without front overhangs or cover strips.
• Corner piece (blue): Typically 89 x 89 mm, with a front thickness of 19 mm, the visible corner on the outside is 70 × 70 mm wide. Depending on the individually configured surface area, these dimensions may vary.
• Front (pink/bright red): The visible front side of the cabinet (doors, drawers), in the example 500 mm wide.

• The footprint or the space requirement is the total area that the corner base cabinet occupies in the corner.
• In the example sketch, the surface area width and depth are marked with red lines. The entire area that the corner base cabinet occupies in the corner – 1150 mm on the upper wall and 650 mm on the left wall.
• These dimensions (1150 mm × 650 mm) refer from the wall line to the outer edge of the cabinet body or to the point where the body ends.
• The footprint is varied by the angle adapter – depending on the size, the footprint can be adjusted.

• The width of the installation area is measured from the corner on the wall to the outer edge of the cabinet body or to the point where the body ends.
• The footprint is varied by the angle adapter – depending on the size, the footprint can be adjusted.

The corner connector may seem like a small filler piece, but it is essential for a functional corner kitchen. It ensures that two cabinet lines are neatly connected at a right angle and allows the corner cabinet door to open easily without the fronts colliding. The connector gives the otherwise dead corner an aesthetically pleasing finish and makes the storage space in the corner cabinet optimally accessible. Overall, this small component significantly contributes to making the kitchen both ergonomic and visually appealing. A well-thought-out corner kitchen design recognizes the importance of the corner connector – only with this precisely fitting connecting piece will the L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen be complete and practical for everyday use.

The corner connector is a diagonal connecting piece that closes the gap in the visible area of the 90° corner. It bridges the dead space directly in the corner and connects the adjacent cabinet fronts at a clean angle. This allows doors and drawers on the corner cabinet to be opened without collisions, and the kitchen front appears continuous without interruption. Typically, the corner connector is made from the same front material as the doors and has fixed dimensions (often about 5–7 cm wide at the front edge, in triangular shape).

The angle connector ensures that the two kitchen units are precisely connected and compensates for any deviations from a perfect 90° angle.

The angle fitting significantly determines the available installation space. If it is made wider, the distance increases, creating additional space for door hinges and handles. In limited space, the fitting can also be narrower within the factory tolerances.

The body dimensions, represented by the green markings, are standardized and defined by the manufacturer. Changes to the body are generally not possible – the adaptability mainly arises from the variably designed angle fitting.

"A 90° angle is used by default. However, in some product lines, different angles (e.g., 95°, 100°, or up to 178°) are available for an additional charge. These adjustments can be useful when specific spatial conditions are present."

The front (highlighted in yellow) includes all visible elements such as doors and drawer fronts. It may extend beyond the body (front overhang) and must be designed so that it does not block or damage each other in the corner – here, the correctly sized angle fitting provides crucial assistance.

If a dishwasher is placed directly next to the corner cabinet, the angle connector must have a side panel that is 561 mm deep. This ensures that there is enough space for opening the dishwasher door and for connections – usually associated with an additional cost (MP-GS).

"It is essential to specify whether the cabinet should be hinged on the 'right' or 'left', as this affects the installation of the doors and the positioning of the angle piece. For handle strips, it should also be considered that they often require more space when opening, which is why variants from 90° to 178° are also possible."

"For precise planning, the following points must be defined exactly:"

• Total Floor Area (red lines): The measured dimensions of the corner with the angle fitting.
• Plan dimension of the angle fitting: Specification of the desired width (and possibly the angle).
• Door hinge: Indication of whether the cabinet should be hinged "right" or "left".
• Device arrangement: E.g. whether a dishwasher is planned next to the corner cabinet to consider the appropriate side panel.

The body of a corner base cabinet has certain standard dimensions that must be taken into account during planning. The cabinet depth is usually fixed (for base cabinets typically around 55–60 cm body depth without front, nobilia 561 mm). The height of the body is also standardized, for example, about 72 cm for standard kitchens (plus plinth and countertop). The leg dimensions – that is, the lengths of the body along the two walls – are fixed depending on the model (there are often variants with about 90 cm or 110 cm leg length on each side). These dimensions of the body usually cannot be changed, which is why the kitchen must be planned so that the corner cabinet fits exactly into the designated space.

In a corner cabinet with a corner connector, care is taken to ensure that the front view is uniform and seamless. The corner connector itself is made of front material and visually integrates seamlessly into the rest of the kitchen front. The door of the corner cabinet is sized so that it is flush with the connector when closed – together, they form the 90° corner of the front.

Corner of the wall: Ideally, the wall angle should be exactly 90°. If the corner is not perfectly right-angled, this should be taken into account during planning. Small deviations can often be compensated for with the angle fitting, while larger ones may require a special adjustment or additional filler pieces.

Grip strips or handles: In handle-less kitchens with continuous grip strips, the interruption of the grip strip at the corner must be planned. The grip strip usually ends before the corner connector, as it cannot be routed around the corner. There are usually cover caps or special corner solutions for this, so that the overall appearance remains clean. For applied handles (knobs or bar handles), the position should be chosen so that a handle does not hit the front of the adjacent cabinet when opening. Large handle pieces or handles with a deep design may require a slightly wider connector for sufficient clearance.
Devices next to the corner cabinet: If an electrical appliance (e.g., dishwasher, refrigerator, or oven) is placed directly next to the corner cabinet, caution is advised. There should be sufficient space or a narrow bridge planned between the corner cabinet and the appliance so that both doors can open without any issues. A dishwasher placed directly next to the corner cabinet could block its door if both are opened simultaneously. For tall appliances like a refrigerator or tall cabinet, it must be ensured that their door can swing open at a 90° angle without hitting the kitchen unit. If necessary, it may be sensible to provide a narrow cover panel between the corner cabinet and the appliance to create enough clearance.