What Width Larder Unit Do I Need? 400mm to 1200mm Compared

Quick answer: Choose a larder width by balancing available wall space with the way you want to reach and organise the contents. In the current Painted Kitchens range, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm larders use a single door, while 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1200mm larders use double doors. A wider cabinet gives you more capacity, but it also occupies more of the kitchen run and needs a properly planned internal layout.

The biggest larder that fits is not automatically the best one. A narrower cabinet may preserve valuable worktop or appliance space, while a wide larder can create a pantry-style storage zone. The right choice depends on the room, the door access and what you intend to store.

What kitchen larder widths are available?

Painted Kitchens currently offers tall larder cabinets in seven standard widths:

• 400mm, 500mm and 600mm single-door larders
• 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1200mm double-door larders

The current standard products are listed at 2150mm high and 580mm deep, but the named cabinet width is not the only measurement that matters. End panels, fillers, cornice, surrounding cabinetry and the space needed to open the doors can all affect the finished installation. Always plan from the current product specification and approved kitchen drawing rather than a generic online size chart.

You can compare the full selection in the tall kitchen cabinet range.

Which larder width should you choose?

400mm and 500mm: narrow single-door larders

A 400mm larder or 500mm larder can add full-height storage without using as much of the cabinet run. These widths are worth considering when the kitchen also needs to accommodate an oven housing, fridge, doorway or useful stretch of worktop.

Narrow does not necessarily mean impractical. Shelves can still make good use of the cabinet height, particularly when the contents are grouped clearly. The trade-off is that there is less width for large appliances, broad baskets or several storage zones side by side.

600mm: the widest current single-door option

The 600mm tall larder unit provides more shelf width while retaining a single, uninterrupted storage space. It can work well when you want one main tall food cupboard but do not want to give a wider section of the room to a double-door larder.

Its door and position need checking carefully. Make sure it can open comfortably without meeting a wall, island, table, projecting handle or neighbouring cabinet. Our separate guide explains what to check when planning a 600mm larder in more detail.

800mm and 900mm: intermediate double-door larders

The 800mm and 900mm double-door larders sit between the compact single-door options and the widest pantry-style cabinets. They can give you a broader internal area without committing a full metre or more of wall space.

The double-door arrangement can also change how the cabinet feels in the room. Instead of one wide door opening into the kitchen, access is divided across two doors. You should still check both doors against adjacent walls, handles and circulation space.

1000mm and 1200mm: wide pantry-style storage

A 1000mm larder or 1200mm larder creates a substantial storage zone. The extra width can make it easier to separate everyday food, baking supplies, cookware and small appliances rather than stacking unrelated items together.

Wide storage only works well when the inside is planned. Long shelves can hold plenty, but they can also become crowded. Internal drawers and other purpose-chosen fittings may improve access, particularly in the lower part of the cabinet. If you are considering the 1000mm option, compare internal drawers and fixed shelves in a 1000mm larder before finalising the specification.

Start with what the larder needs to hold

Before choosing a width, decide what job the cabinet will do. A larder intended for jars, tins and breakfast items has different requirements from one expected to hold mixers, large serving dishes, bulk food and household overflow.

Make a rough list under four headings:

• Everyday food that should remain easy to reach
• Bulk supplies and occasional ingredients
• Small appliances or large cookware
• Items that would work better in drawers or door storage

This does not need to become a detailed inventory. Its purpose is to establish whether you need a compact tall cupboard, one main food larder or a wider cabinet divided into several useful zones.

Measure the finished space, not just the cabinet

A product labelled 600mm wide needs to be considered as part of the complete fitted run. Depending on the design, the installation may also involve finishing panels, fillers and decorative details. Walls are not always straight, and a tall cabinet placed hard against one can have restricted door or handle clearance.

Before ordering, check:

• The full wall-to-wall measurement at more than one height
• Ceiling height and any cornice or top detail
• End panels and fillers shown on the kitchen plan
• The opening path of every larder door
• Nearby islands, tables, doorways and circulation routes
• How the larder aligns with fridges, ovens and other tall cabinets

If cabinet dimensions are unfamiliar, see our guide to standard kitchen unit sizes and finished measurements.

Do not choose width without planning the inside

Two larders with the same external width can be used very differently. Adjustable shelves offer straightforward flexible storage. Internal drawers bring lower contents forward, while door racks can keep smaller items visible where suitable.

Think about reach as well as capacity. Heavy items are usually easier to manage lower down, everyday ingredients should be readily accessible, and rarely used pieces can occupy the higher shelves. If a wide larder becomes one deep undivided cupboard, some of its apparent capacity may be awkward to use.

Common larder-width mistakes

• Choosing the largest cabinet by default: extra larder width may remove space that would be more valuable as worktop, drawers or appliance housing.
• Comparing capacity only: door arrangement and internal access matter every day.
• Forgetting finishing components: the named cabinet width may not represent the entire finished run.
• Ignoring the open doors: a cabinet can fit on the plan but still be awkward beside a wall, island or table.
• Planning storage afterwards: shelves, drawers and accessories should be considered while the kitchen is being designed.

So, what width larder unit do you need?

Choose 400mm or 500mm when preserving wall space is the priority. Consider 600mm when you want a generous single-door cupboard. Look at 800mm or 900mm when you want double-door access without using a full metre of the run. Choose 1000mm or 1200mm when the larder needs to operate as a larger, deliberately organised pantry zone.

The final decision should be made as part of the whole kitchen plan. Compare the current tall larder cabinet options, then check the chosen width, door access and internal fittings against the room before ordering.

Larder Width FAQs

What is the narrowest Painted Kitchens larder unit?

The current standard tall-larder range starts at 400mm wide. A 500mm version is also available before the range moves to the 600mm single-door option.

Is a 600mm larder wide enough?

A 600mm larder can provide useful full-height storage for food, cookware or small appliances. Whether it is wide enough depends on what it must hold and what other storage is available elsewhere in the kitchen.

When do larder units change from one door to two?

In the current Painted Kitchens standard range, the 400mm, 500mm and 600mm larders have one door. The 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1200mm larders use double doors.

Does a wider larder always provide better storage?

No. A wider larder provides more capacity, but it also uses more wall space. Its shelves, drawers and storage zones need planning so the extra width remains easy to use.

Should I leave space beside a tall larder unit?

Allow for the complete fitted design, including any end panels, fillers and door clearance shown on the approved plan. Extra space may be needed where a larder meets a wall or another obstruction.