Kitchen Cupboards vs Cabinets: What’s the Difference?
In Australia, the terms kitchen cupboards and kitchen cabinets are often used interchangeably — and it’s easy to see why. Both describe essential kitchen storage that keeps everything organised and out of sight. Yet when it comes to design and placement, subtle differences shape how your kitchen looks and functions.
Generally, kitchen cupboards are wall-mounted or tall storage units positioned above benches or built into corners and pantries. Kitchen cabinets, on the other hand, are the sturdy base units that form the main structure of your kitchen — supporting benchtops, housing sinks, and defining the overall layout. Understanding this difference between cupboards and cabinets helps you plan a kitchen that’s both practical and beautifully balanced.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we make it easy to design your ideal kitchen with affordable, pre-assembled storage solutions. Whether you’re upgrading wall cupboards or replacing base cabinets, our range offers stylish, ready-to-install options for modern Perth kitchens. Explore our full selection of kitchen cabinets online and start building a space that works for you.
What Is a Kitchen Cupboard?
Kitchen cupboards are the vertical heroes of any kitchen layout. Typically mounted on the wall or designed as tall pantry kitchen cupboards, they make the most of unused space above benchtops or in corner sections. Their purpose is simple — to maximise vertical storage while keeping frequently used items like dishes, glasses, and dry goods within easy reach.
Wall kitchen cupboards are a staple in both traditional and modern kitchen designs. Available in a range of widths, heights, and finishes, they’re easy to match with base cabinets and drawers for a seamless, cohesive look. Many homeowners choose them to store lighter kitchenware, freeing up benchtops and reducing clutter. Tall pantry configurations, on the other hand, offer deep shelving ideal for bulk storage and efficient pantry organisation.
| Pros | Cons |
| Ideal for compact kitchens where space efficiency matters | Limited depth compared to base cabinets |
| Keeps benchtops clear for food preparation | Not suited for heavy cookware or appliances |
| Provides quick, eye-level access to everyday items | Requires sturdy wall fixing for safe installation |
| Visually opens up the room by drawing the eye upward |
To explore layout and size variations, see Overhead Kitchen Cabinet Types & Configurations for guidance on matching your cupboards to the rest of your design.
TL;DR: Kitchen cupboards are wall-mounted or tall vertical storage units that maximise space and accessibility — ideal for compact kitchens and everyday convenience.
What Is a Kitchen Cabinet?
Kitchen cabinets are the backbone of every kitchen design. Unlike wall cupboards, these are floor-mounted units installed beneath benchtops to form the main structure of the kitchen. They include drawers, shelves, and appliance housings, providing the strength and storage capacity that every functional kitchen needs.
As part of a modular cabinetry system, kitchen cabinets are designed to support benchtops and house sinks, dishwashers, or ovens. They offer deep, sturdy storage — perfect for pots, pans, and heavier cooking essentials that need easy access during food preparation. In most layouts, kitchen cupboards and cabinets work together harmoniously: cabinets anchor the kitchen visually and structurally, while cupboards add lighter, elevated storage above.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sturdy and durable — built to support benchtops and appliances | Require more floor space |
| High-capacity storage ideal for cookware and utensils | Less flexible placement once installed |
| Adds structure and balance to the overall kitchen design | Can be costlier to modify later |
| Customisable layouts through modular cabinetry |
Understanding the difference between cupboards and cabinets helps homeowners choose the right mix for their needs — functional, stylish, and space-efficient. For more guidance on planning layouts and selecting units, see The Ultimate Kitchen Cabinet Buying Guide.
TL;DR: Kitchen cabinets form the main base of the kitchen layout, offering stability, strength, and the bulk of storage capacity.
Key Comparisons Between Cupboards and Cabinets
While kitchen cupboards and cabinets both serve the same storage purpose, they differ slightly in structure, placement, and function. Understanding these distinctions helps homeowners plan a practical, well-balanced kitchen design that looks polished and performs beautifully.
Design
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, the manufacturing of kitchen cupboards and cabinets is essentially the same. Both are made from high-quality, moisture-resistant materials and share identical construction.
The difference lies in their setup: cupboards are wall-mounted or stacked vertically, while cabinets are installed at floor level with support feet, forming the kitchen’s base. Cabinets are designed to sit beneath benchtops, while cupboards include a finished top, making them complete standalone storage solutions when mounted or stacked.
Placement
Cupboards are typically mounted above benchtops or used as tall pantry units to maximise vertical storage, perfect for modular storage layouts. Cabinets are floor-mounted and act as built-in cabinetry, defining the kitchen’s base structure and supporting appliances and benchtops.
Storage Use
Cupboards are ideal for storing lighter items such as crockery, cups, and dry goods. Cabinets handle heavier cookware, small appliances, and cleaning supplies — anything that benefits from deeper shelves and stronger structural support.
Material
Both kitchen cupboards and cabinets in Ross’s range are made using the same premium construction. Each unit features 18mm high-moisture-resistant (HMR) MDF doors coated in a durable 2-pack epoxy paint, hand-polished to achieve a high-gloss finish. The carcass is built from 16mm HMR particleboard laminated in PET — a high-gloss, easy-clean surface that’s far more durable and moisture-resistant than standard melamine finishes.
This construction delivers strength, longevity, and a luxury look both inside and out, making Ross’s kitchen cupboards and cabinets some of the most durable and visually consistent options available for Perth homes.
Cost
Because of the added support and feet required to make them freestanding, cabinets generally cost slightly more than cupboards. For example, at Ross’s, a 45 cm wall cupboard is $300, while a 45 cm base cabinet costs $380. The small price difference reflects the extra stability and hardware needed for base installation, not a change in build quality.
Aesthetic
Cupboards help open up visual space by drawing the eye upward, while cabinets ground the kitchen visually, creating structure and balance. Together, they achieve a cohesive look that suits both contemporary and traditional kitchens.
Durability
Both are robust and built to last. However, because cabinets rest on the floor and include support feet, they are designed to handle greater loads, while cupboards rely on secure wall fixing for stability.
Customisation
Ross’s Discount Home Centre offers both cupboards and cabinets in pre-assembled or modular Alpine designs, with a wide range of colours, styles, and finishes. For design inspiration, see Modern Kitchen Cabinets for Sale: Styles, Colours, and Finishes.
TL;DR: Cupboards and cabinets complement each other — cupboards maximise wall space, while cabinets provide functional storage at ground level.
When to Choose Each One
The most functional kitchens use a combination of cupboards and cabinets to create balance between storage, layout, and visual design. Knowing when and where to use each type helps you plan a kitchen that feels open, organised, and effortless to work in.
Wall kitchen cupboards are ideal for small kitchen design where every centimetre counts. Mounted above benchtops, they free up valuable floor space while keeping everyday items close at hand. Because they sit at eye level, they also create a sense of height and openness, making compact kitchens appear larger than they are.
Base cabinets provide the foundation of everyday kitchen functionality. These floor-mounted units are perfect for storing heavier cookware, small appliances, and cleaning supplies — anything that needs sturdy, easily accessible storage. Their structure also supports benchtops, sinks, and built-in appliances, making them essential to any well-planned kitchen layout.
For vertical organisation, pantry kitchen cupboards are a smart addition. Tall and spacious, they’re designed for bulk storage and help keep food items, containers, and small appliances neatly arranged. Including one or two in your layout creates a central, easy-to-reach hub for everything you use most often.
Ross’s Discount Home Centre makes it simple to find the right balance with a full range of pre-assembled cabinets and cupboards available for quick delivery across Perth. Whether you’re upgrading or planning a complete renovation, these units make it easy to transform your kitchen fast.
For more inspiration, see How to Maximise Your Kitchen Space.
TL;DR: Combine wall-mounted cupboards with base cabinets to achieve balance, storage, and visual harmony in any kitchen.
Modern Kitchen Storage Solutions at Ross’s Discount Home Centre
For over 50 years, Ross’s Discount Home Centre has been helping Perth homeowners design kitchens that combine practicality with timeless style. From compact apartments to spacious family homes, we supply high-quality kitchen cupboards, cabinets, and pantries built for Australian living.
Our Alpine Kitchen & Bathroom range features pre-assembled cabinetry designed for durability, easy installation, and everyday use. Whether you’re upgrading wall cupboards, adding new kitchen cabinets or expanding storage with pantry cabinets, Ross’s offers the quality and convenience that Perth kitchens deserve.
As a local, family-run business, we understand the needs of WA homeowners. Our expert team can help you plan layouts, choose finishes, and find the perfect fit for your kitchen — all while keeping affordability front of mind. With fast Perth Metro delivery and a commitment to service that spans five decades, we make it simple to buy kitchen cupboards online or in-store with confidence.
TL;DR: Ross’s offers a complete range of kitchen cupboards and cabinets for Perth homes — pre-assembled, affordable, and built to last.
Conclusion
Kitchen cupboards and kitchen cabinets each play a distinct but complementary role in creating a practical, stylish kitchen. Cupboards maximise vertical storage and keep everyday items close at hand, while cabinets provide solid, functional storage at ground level. Together, they form the foundation of a well-designed kitchen that balances convenience, structure, and visual appeal.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, you’ll find a complete range of kitchen cupboards Perth homeowners trust — from sleek wall units to sturdy base cabinets and tall pantry designs. Every piece in our range combines quality, affordability, and durability, making kitchen renovations in Perth stress-free and straightforward.
Explore our full range of quality kitchen cabinets online or visit our kitchen showroom in Perth to see how Ross’s can help you create your dream kitchen today.
