What to Do If You Ordered the Wrong Cabinet Size

Ordering cabinets that don’t fit perfectly is a more common issue than it seems, even in professional remodels. Whether it’s a 36″ base cabinet that’s supposed to be 33″, or something bumping into a pipe or wall stud, that mistake can bring a project to a halt. However, it doesn’t always mean disaster. With the right approach, many sizing errors can be resolved on-site, and those that can’t are fixable with minimal downtime, as long as you react quickly.

This guide explains how to assess the issue, salvage what you can, and manage the process when a re-order is unavoidable.

1. Assess the Problem

Start with a clear-eyed evaluation:

• Verify the measurements, against both the original plan and the actual space. Did you misread a wall dimension? Did the wall taper or shift?
• Identify the conflict, Does the cabinet bump into another cabinet, appliance, or plumbing fixture? Is the door clearance compromised?
• Check magnitude, For gaps under 2″, filler panels and minor adjustments may suffice. Anything bigger often necessitates re-fabrication.

Key decision question: Is it fixable within the existing space?

2. On-Site Fixes You Can Try

Before canceling or reordering, consider these modifications:

1. Filler Panels or Spacers
   Add slim filler strips or clean wood panels to cover gaps up to 1–2″ without altering cabinet structure.
2. Shift Adjacent Cabinets
   Slightly reposition cabinets to absorb or redistribute spacing errors, units can often be moved within small limits.
3. Swap Cabinet Doors
   If the internal box fits, but the door is oversized, you might just swap in a narrower door for a neat fix.
4. Modify Adjacent Boxes
   Slightly resize or replace the cabinet next to the misfit to rebalance the run.
5. Leave Intentional Cavities
   In low-visibility zones, leaving a small open space might be preferable to reordering.

These solutions save time and money when errors are minor.

3. When You Need to Reorder

Certain mistakes leave no room for on-the-fly fixes:

• A 36″ unit in a 33″ space is unworkable without reordering.
• Cabinets that hit plumbing, structural posts, or electric, you can’t modify these obstacles.
• Situations where a misfit disrupts door or drawer operation.
• Sizing errors that throw off island alignment or make runs visually unbalanced.

Reordering is often the only clean, functional solution when precision matters.

4. How to Reorder Without Slowing the Project

Handling a reorder doesn’t have to delay everything:

1. Order the correct unit fast, including accurate site measurements.
2. Add a filler panel (e.g., ½″ wood insert) to handle minor discrepancies.
3. Advance schedule, while awaiting the new cabinet, installers can continue prepping adjacent areas, applying backsplash, or getting floors ready.
4. Confirm updated measurements before production.
5. Coordinate delivery of the new unit with installation of surrounding cabinets or counters to minimize delays.

With good timing, the rest of the project rolls along smoothly.

5. How to Avoid Soon-to-Happen Mistakes

To prevent future sizing issues:

• Measure multiple times at both top and bottom of walls, at midpoints, and an inch apart.
• Check for sloping floors or bowed walls, especially in older homes.
• Include filler in your layout when space isn’t a standard cabinet width.
• Account for appliances, include swing-clearance and ventilation gaps.
• Use professionals for precise site measurements when possible.
• Plan for adjustability, include leveling legs and filler gaps.

These habits minimize ordering mistakes and keep the install on track.

6. Real-Life Fixes from the Field

Scenario A: 1-Inch Overhang
A homeowner installed a 36″ cabinet where the wall was only 35″. The fix? A 1″ filler strip and a smaller adjacent cabinet door. Everything lined up, no reorders necessary.

Scenario B: Pipe Blocker
A base cabinet snagged a water line. The solution: a custom notched back panel and filler strip on the side. No need to reorder.

Scenario C: Irreversible Sizing Error
A 36″ unit where all sides were closed in by adjacent cabinets forced a re-fabrication of the entire run. The homeowner ordered a 33″ replacement and continued unhindered.

7. Decision Guide: Adjust or Reorder?