The office kitchenette is one of the most heavily used pieces of millwork in a workplace. It gets wet every day, holds appliances that produce heat and steam, carries the weight of dishes and supplies, and is used by everyone. Small planning misses show up quickly: a swollen sink base, a peeling edge beside the dishwasher, a fridge that overheats in its enclosure. Here is what to settle before the kitchenette is drawn and priced.
Appliances drive the layout and the details, so get model numbers early and follow each manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Most kitchenette failures start at the sink. Use a moisture-resistant core, such as particleboard made to the MR10 or MR50 grades in ANSI A208.1, or plywood for the sink base and the countertop around the sink, seal every cutout, and choose a top and edge that shed water. Laminate tops normally take drop-in sinks; undermounting a sink in laminate needs a special edge system to keep water off the core. That is one reason solid surface and quartz are popular in kitchenettes: solid surface allows an integrated sink with an inconspicuous bonded joint, and quartz takes undermount sinks well. Leave access to shut-off valves and allow for a leak-detection mat or tray in the sink base if the owner wants one. See our guide to cores for commercial millwork.
Our comparison of solid surface and quartz covers the trade-offs in more detail.
Kitchenettes bring several trades together in a small space. Coordinate receptacle locations for counter appliances and dedicated circuits for the fridge, dishwasher and coffee machine with the electrical designer; receptacles within 1.5 m of a sink also need Class A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, and the electrical designer confirms which ones. Coordinate plumbing rough-ins, including the dishwasher drain connection the plumbing code and manufacturer call for, with the sink and appliance positions shown on the shop drawings, and check that backing is in place for upper cabinets and shelves. See wall blocking for millwork.
Where part of the kitchenette needs to be accessible, plan a lower counter section with knee space, a reachable sink and controls, and storage within reach, and choose D-shaped pulls rather than small knobs. Take the dimensions from the architect or code consultant for the project.
We build office kitchenettes and pantry casework in our Vaughan plant, including solid surface tops, with quartz from stone partners. Our drafting team issues shop drawings for review before production, and they are the place to coordinate appliances, sinks, power and plumbing. Send us your drawings and appliance list to start.
Solid surface and quartz are the most durable choices. Solid surface allows integrated sinks and can be repaired; quartz is very hard and stain resistant. High-pressure laminate is economical but needs careful detailing at sinks and edges and should not take hot items directly.
Follow the dishwasher manufacturer’s instructions, which typically call for a moisture barrier under the countertop and a small gap above the machine. Use moisture-resistant cores, sealed edges and a heat- and water-resistant edge adhesive on the cabinets on either side.
Built-in under-counter models are usually front-vented and designed to be enclosed. Freestanding fridges need clearance for airflow and should not be boxed in. Check the manufacturer’s ventilation requirements for the model.
A moisture-resistant particleboard or MDF, or plywood, with all cutouts and exposed edges sealed. Standard particleboard and MDF swell permanently if they get wet.
The appliance list with model numbers, core materials with moisture-resistant cores at wet areas, countertop and sink type, finishes, edge thickness and hardware ratings, waste and recycling bins, any accessible section, and power, plumbing and backing coordination.
