9 Appliance Garage Ideas, With the Sizes That Work

TL;DR

1. What it is: An appliance garage stores small appliances behind a door at counter level.
2. Start with the gap: The common space below wall cabinets is 18 inches, but the frame, top and door reduce the clear opening.²
3. Check the depth: A garage as deep as a 12-inch wall cabinet leaves 12 inches of counter in front on a 24-inch base, plus any overhang.¹
4. Check the width: One straight tambour unit is 24 inches wide. Ask for the clear width of your opening.⁶
5. Measure moving parts: One tilt-head mixer is 14 inches high when closed and 17½ inches with the head raised. You can store it under an 18-inch gap, but you'll need to pull it out before raising the head.² ⁹
6. Use heat appliances on the open counter: One toaster manual calls for 4 inches of side clearance and 8 inches above during use, and it advises against enclosed locations.¹³
7. Put the outlet on the backsplash: Use an inside outlet only when the appliance manual allows it. Have an electrician confirm either location.

An appliance garage keeps a toaster, mixer or coffee maker at counter height and behind a door. The useful size is the clear space inside after you account for the cabinet, door and hardware. If you're planning a dedicated coffee station, use the coffee bar cabinet ideas guide.

Appliance garage sizes at a glance

Part	Verified size or example	What to check
Counter height	36 inches, typical¹	Measure the finished counter.
Base cabinet depth	24 inches, typical¹	Include the overhang.
Wall cabinet depth	12 inches, typical¹	Confirm the garage depth.
Counter-to-wall-cabinet space	18 inches, common²	Allow for the frame, top and door.
Bottom of wall cabinets	54 inches from the floor, from a 36-inch counter plus the 18-inch space²	Confirm the finished height.
Straight tambour unit	24 inches wide × 11¾ inches deep × 18½ inches high⁶	This example is ½ inch taller than the common 18-inch space, so measure first.² ⁶
Lift-up door and slide	Uses 2⅝ inches of inside height³	Ask for the clear opening with the door open.
Pocket doors	Uses 3¼ inches at each side: ¾-inch outer side, 1¾-inch pocket and ¾-inch divider⁴	Ask for the clear width.
Corner unit	17 inches wide × 11½ inches deep × 18½ inches high for a 24-inch corner⁷	Check the unit against the actual corner.
Deep garage example	15⅞ inches deep outside and 14⅛ inches inside after a 1-inch back and ¾-inch door³	Compare inside depth with the appliance.
Bifold doors that slide back	¾-inch doors need a pocket of at least 2½ inches⁵	Show the folded doors and pockets on the plan.
Tilt-head mixer example	14 inches high; 17½ inches with the head raised; 9.3 inches wide × 14.3 inches deep⁹ ¹⁰	Measure it closed and raised.
Bowl-lift mixer examples	16 7/16 to 17 inches high¹⁰	Include the bowl and attachments.
Blender example	20.5 inches high¹¹	This is taller than the common 18-inch space.² ¹¹
Two-slice toaster example	8.2 inches wide × 11.3 inches deep × 7.3 inches high¹²	Its manual calls for 4 inches at the sides and 8 inches above during use, and advises against enclosed locations.¹³
Drip coffee maker example	6.7 inches wide × 12.7 inches deep × 15.7 inches high¹⁴	Check the lid and water tank in the open position.
Basket air fryer example	14.84 inches long × 11.34 inches wide × 10.55 inches high¹⁵	Use the manual's operating clearances.

These are starting points and product examples. Measure each appliance, including lids, handles, heads, bowls and cords, before the cabinetmaker draws the opening.

What fits inside

A tilt-head mixer that's 14 inches high can sit under an 18-inch gap with the head down. Its head reaches 17½ inches when raised, so pull the mixer onto the open counter before you lift it.² ⁹

Now check the door hardware. In one 18-inch-tall lift-up example, the slide and door use 2⅝ inches and leave 15⅜ inches inside. The 14-inch mixer has 1⅜ inches left above it, while bowl-lift mixers from 16 7/16 to 17 inches are too tall for that example.³ ⁹ ¹⁰

Depth can stop the plan too. The same mixer is 14.3 inches deep, while one deep garage example has 14⅛ inches inside. That garage is less than ¼ inch too shallow for the mixer to face forward.³ ⁹

A 20.5-inch blender needs a tall cabinet or another shelf because it's taller than the 18-inch gap.² ¹¹ A 15.7-inch coffee maker can sit below that gap, but you still need room to open its lid and water tank.² ¹⁴

1. Classic countertop garage with hinged doors

Hand-drawn kitchen illustration with two hinged appliance-garage doors open and a plain toaster and coffee maker inside.

This garage has a pair of doors that open over the counter. The plan starts with a 36-inch counter, an 18-inch space to the wall cabinets and a 24-inch-wide garage.¹ ² ⁶ The wall cabinet is 12 inches deep and the base is 24 inches deep, so 12 inches of counter remains in front, plus any overhang.¹ Ask for the clear opening because the frame and doors make it smaller than the full 18-inch space.²

Classic countertop appliance garage plan labeled counter 36, gap 18, wall cabinet 12 deep, base 24 deep, garage 24 wide, 12 in of counter in front, Clear opening is smaller than 18: ask for it on the drawing, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This classic garage is 24 inches wide above a 36-inch counter, with an 18-inch space to the wall cabinets, 12-inch wall cabinets and a 24-inch base; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

2. Tambour (roll-up) garage

Hand-drawn kitchen illustration with a slatted tambour door half raised over a coffee maker and toaster.

A tambour door rolls up and stays off the counter. One straight unit is 24 inches wide, 11¾ inches deep and 18½ inches high.⁶ The common space under wall cabinets is 18 inches, so that unit is ½ inch too tall.² ⁶ Measure the finished gap before choosing a unit.

Tambour appliance garage plan labeled unit 24 W × 18½ H, 11¾ D, gap 18, This unit is ½ in taller than an 18-in gap, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This tambour garage is 24 inches wide, 18½ inches high and 11¾ inches deep below an 18-inch gap; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

3. Lift-up door garage

Hand-drawn kitchen illustration with a lift-up panel raised above a plain stand mixer.

A lift-up panel moves above the opening while you use the cabinet. In one 18-inch-tall example, the slide and door use 2⅝ inches and leave 15⅜ inches of inside height.³ A 14-inch tilt-head mixer fits with the head down, but its 17½-inch raised height doesn't fit.⁹ Pull the mixer onto the open counter before raising its head.

Lift-up appliance garage plan labeled garage 18 tall, slide and door 2⅝, 15⅜ inside, mixer 14 fits, head up 17½ doesn't, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This 18-inch-tall lift-up garage uses 2⅝ inches for the slide and door, leaving 15⅜ inches inside; the 14-inch mixer fits with its head down, but raised, it reaches 17½ inches and doesn't fit; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

4. Pocket-door garage

Hand-drawn kitchen illustration with both appliance-garage doors retracted into side pockets and a coffee maker and blender inside.

Pocket doors slide into the cabinet sides. This 42-inch cabinet uses 3¼ inches at each side: a ¾-inch outer side, a 1¾-inch pocket and a ¾-inch divider.⁴ That leaves 35½ inches of clear width.⁴ Measure the appliances together before approving that width.

Pocket-door appliance garage plan labeled cabinet 42 wide, 3¼ each side, ¾ side, 1¾ pocket, ¾ divider, 35½ inside, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This 42-inch pocket-door cabinet uses 3¼ inches at each side and leaves 35½ inches inside; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

5. Corner appliance garage

Hand-drawn L-shaped kitchen corner with two small garage doors open around a plain toaster.

A corner garage uses an L-shaped counter's inside corner. One listed unit fits a 24-inch corner and measures 17 inches wide, 11½ inches deep and 18½ inches high.⁷ Those dimensions apply only to that unit. Measure the corner and clear opening before choosing the door and appliances.

Corner appliance garage plan labeled 24 corner, unit front 17 wide, 11½ deep, 18½ tall, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This corner unit is 17 inches wide, 11½ inches deep and 18½ inches high in a 24-inch corner; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

6. Hidden garage with flush panels

Hand-drawn modern kitchen with one matching flush cabinet panel slightly open to reveal part of an appliance.

This version has a panel aligned with the surrounding cabinet faces. The plan uses 12-inch-deep wall cabinets, an 18-inch space and a 36-inch counter.¹ ² The wall cabinets start 54 inches from the floor.² Compare matching panel details in the Shaker cabinet guide.

Hidden flush-panel appliance garage plan labeled wall cabinets 12 deep, garage face in line, gap 18, counter 36, bottom of wall cabinets 54, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This flush-panel garage lines up with 12-inch wall cabinets above a 36-inch counter, with an 18-inch gap and the wall cabinets starting 54 inches above the floor; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

7. Deep garage for a stand mixer or toaster oven

Hand-drawn deep appliance garage with open doors, a plain stand mixer and a plain toaster oven fully inside.

Pick a deeper garage when the appliance needs more front-to-back room. One example is 15⅞ inches deep outside, with a 1-inch back and a ¾-inch door, so the inside depth is 14⅛ inches.³ A mixer that's 14.3 inches deep is less than ¼ inch too deep to face forward in that opening.³ ⁹ On a 24-inch base, the garage leaves about 8⅛ inches of counter in front, plus any overhang.¹ ³

Deep appliance garage plan labeled 15⅞ outside, back 1, door ¾, 14⅛ inside, mixer 14.3 deep, about 8⅛ of counter in front on a 24 base, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This deep garage is 15⅞ inches outside and 14⅛ inches inside, with a 1-inch back, a ¾-inch door and about 8⅛ inches of counter left on a 24-inch base; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

8. Tall pantry-style appliance cabinet

Hand-drawn tall cabinet standing on the counter, with pocket doors retracted and a plain stand mixer and tall blender inside.

A countertop-standing tall cabinet with optional pocket doors can hold a large mixer.⁸ It stands on the 36-inch counter and uses 3¼ inches at each side for this pocket-door construction.¹ ⁴ Bowl-lift mixers can be 16 7/16 to 17 inches high, and one blender is 20.5 inches high.¹⁰ ¹¹ See the pantry cabinet guide for a larger cabinet.

Tall pantry-style appliance cabinet plan labeled counter 36, pocket 3¼ each side, bowl-lift mixer 16 7/16–17 tall, blender 20.5 tall, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This tall cabinet stands on a 36-inch counter, uses 3¼ inches for each door pocket and shows a 16 7/16-to-17-inch bowl-lift mixer beside a 20.5-inch blender; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

9. Bifold-door garage

Hand-drawn kitchen illustration with two-panel bifold doors folded open at both sides of a toaster and coffee maker.

Bifold doors fold at the middle and can slide back into side pockets. The plan uses a 24-inch-wide garage with ¾-inch doors.⁵ ⁶ Each folded door needs a pocket of at least 2½ inches in this hardware example.⁵ Ask the cabinetmaker to show the doors folded and stored so you can see the clear opening.

Bifold appliance garage plan labeled garage 24 wide, ¾ doors, pocket 2½ min each side, Dimensions in inches, and Illustrative. — This 24-inch bifold garage uses ¾-inch doors and a pocket of at least 2½ inches at each side; the illustration isn't drawn to scale.

Power, heat and steam

Plug appliances into a backsplash outlet and use them on the open counter.

One toaster manual requires 4 inches of open space at the sides and 8 inches above during use, and its maker advises against enclosed areas.¹³ One air fryer toaster oven manual says it can't be operated in an appliance garage or under a wall cabinet. It also says to unplug the appliance when you store it in a garage.¹⁶

An outlet inside the garage suits only an appliance whose manual allows use or charging in that spot. Have an electrician confirm either outlet location for your kitchen. Follow the manual for heat, steam, clearance, use and storage.

What to put on the drawing and the quote

Finished counter height and depth, wall-cabinet depth and clear opening
Appliance width, depth and height with every lid, head and door open
Door type, open position, hardware space and side pockets
Inside depth after the back, door and hardware
Counter space left in front of the garage
Outlet location, appliance use location and electrician's work

Ask the cabinetmaker to price the approved drawing. The quote should identify the cabinet, door, hardware, finish, outlet work, delivery and installation.

What an appliance garage costs

The total depends on the cabinet size, door and hardware, finish, counter changes, electrical work, delivery and installation. Use the custom cabinet cost guide to compare what each quote includes, and give every cabinetmaker the same drawing and appliance list.

Questions people ask about appliance garages

What is an appliance garage?

An appliance garage stores small appliances behind a door at counter height. It can use hinged, tambour, lift-up, pocket or bifold doors.

How deep should an appliance garage be?

There isn't one standard depth. A garage can line up with a 12-inch-deep wall cabinet, while one deeper example is 15⅞ inches outside and 14⅛ inches inside.¹ ³ Measure the appliance from front to back and include the cabinet back and door.

How wide should an appliance garage be?

There isn't one standard width. One straight tambour unit is 24 inches wide, while a 42-inch pocket-door example leaves 35½ inches inside after two 3¼-inch sides.⁴ ⁶ Start with the appliances you plan to store together.

Are appliance garages a good idea?

Yes, when the opening fits your appliances and you want them stored at counter height. Check each manual before choosing where you'll use appliances that produce heat or steam.

What is the typical cost to install an appliance garage?

The cost depends on the cabinet size, door hardware, finish, counter changes, electrical work and installation. Ask for a quote based on your approved drawing and exact appliance list.

What appliances go in an appliance garage?

Mixers, coffee makers, toasters, blenders, basket air fryers and air fryer toaster ovens can be stored in an appliance garage when the clear opening and manual allow it. Use heat appliances on the open counter unless their manual gives different instructions, and unplug any appliance whose manual requires it.

Where these numbers come from

Cabinet dimensions come from a terms document and manufacturer specifications.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ Door-pocket dimensions come from cabinet and hardware specifications.³ ⁴ ⁵ Appliance dimensions and operating limits come from product pages, specification sheets and manuals.⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹ ¹² ¹³ ¹⁴ ¹⁵ ¹⁶

These are planning figures and product examples. Your cabinetmaker needs the actual appliance dimensions, door hardware and finished kitchen measurements before making the final drawing.

Last updated: September 24, 2026