What Is a Kitchen Unit Service Void?

When you fit a kitchen unit, there's one crucial detail hiding behind the scenes: the service void. You might not see it once the cabinets are in place, but in UK kitchens, there will be a service void!

So, What Is a Service Void?

A service void is the gap behind kitchen base units to allow space for plumbing, wiring, and uneven walls. Traditionally in the UK, kitchen cabinets are designed with extended side panels to create the void so the unit stands away from the wall. This ensures there’s room for water pipes & electrical cables, so they don't run on the inside of the units - no one wants to see that! If you are reading this from outside of the UK, your country might run these services within the walls - in brick built construction especially on older housing stock in the UK that isn't possible.

Rear Service Voids

A rear service void is the most common type, running along the back of the base unit. As already stated, it provides space for essential services like cold and hot water pipes, electrical cables, and heating pipework. Most manufacturers allow for a void of 35mm to 70mm, with specific examples including:

• Wren Kitchens: 35mm 
  Wren Kitchens Supplies Space-Plug Fixings with their base units.
  

• DIY Kitchens, IKEA & Magnet Kitchens: 42mm
  Magnet Kitchens Supplies Space-Plug Fixings with their base units.

• Howdens: 72mm

A service void is the deliberate gap between the back of the cabinet and the wall, typically created to accommodate pipework, wiring, or wall irregularities. This is usually achieved by setting the entire unit forward using battens, oversized gables, or smart fixings like Datum Pegs. Whether the cabinet has a full back, partial back, or is open-backed, consistent spacing off the wall helps accommodate services like pipes and cables more easily, reducing the need for awkward cut-outs and speeding up installation.

Side Service Voids

Side service voids might not be as common, but they definitely have their place. Especially when you need to sneak pipework along the wall, hide a few sockets out of sight and kitchen corner base units require a service void on the side to ensure that adjoining units meeting at right angles align correctly. A typical workaround is to use battens or packers.

They're especially handy in awkward spots - think corners, integrated appliances, or those charming-but-wonky old walls. Just like with rear voids, keeping things consistent here makes all the difference. Achieving consistent spacing ensures a level plinth alignment, stable cabinet positioning, and significantly reduces on-site adjustments during installation.

How to Use a Service Void Effectively

Most kitchen manufacturers include some kind of fixing method to take advantage of the service void, but not all solutions are created equal. Typically, you’ll find metal angle brackets (aka L brackets) supplied, which do the job but aren’t exactly user-friendly. They can be fiddly to fit and, more importantly, they only allow you to fix the unit to the wall at very specific points. That’s not ideal when you want flexibility - or when the angle bracket only lines up with part of the wall where you can’t get a secure fixing, like over a pipe, into crumbling plaster or the wall might be wonky and the unit doesn't even reach the wall at all! Angle brackets just are not fit for purpose. 

Interestingly, some manufacturers like DIY Kitchens don’t supply any base unit wall fixing hardware at all. DIY Kitchens state on their website - "Please note that we do not supply fittings for connecting worktops. Also, base units do not require wall brackets, just the connecting bolts, which are supplied. With regards to tall larder units, no fittings for these are supplied, you will just need to use a few l-shaped brackets, if the unit needs securing to the wall." DIY Kitchens leave it up to the installer to decide the best method - which offers flexibility but can leave some DIY fitters scratching their heads if they’re not prepared.

However we recommend that you DO fix your base units to the wall. We work with some of the best kitchen installers in the UK and they use our fixings to do just that.

Tom Easter, 'On The Tools Kitchen fitter of the year' 2022 & 2024', says -

"I used to absolutely hate fixing base units to the wall. Those L brackets were always in the wrong place, awkward to screw in, and half the time the wall didn’t even play ball. But honestly, fixing your units to the wall is important - it stops movement, keeps everything in line, and makes the whole kitchen feel solid. Then I tried Space-Plug. Total game-changer. Now I just pop them where I want, adjust to the gap, and job done. Solid as a rock - and way quicker too. Honestly, I’m never going back."

A New Way To Create Service Voids

The extended side panels that make up the service void will need to be scribed around any visible pipework before attempting to fix the unit. If you don’t cut out a section of the gable to allow space for pipework against the wall, the cabinet won’t sit flush and will clearly cause alignment issues with adjacent units and plinths! Sorry to point out the obvious! 

We have invented a new way to manufacturer kitchen base units, so that kitchen units never have to be scribed again! You can read more about Space-Plug Evolution "Create The Void" here - BUT until all kitchen manufacturers change, for now, you will need to keep hacking into your expensive units to make them fit around pipes, and fingers crossed now that you have damaged the edge banding no moisture ingress happens!

Knowing how to work with the service void, whether you’re using brackets, battens, or something smarter like a Space-Plug Adjustable Spacer Fixing is key to a clean and professional fit. The more flexible and installer-friendly the solution, the quicker and more consistent your install will be.

A little bit about Space-Plug's

In response to these challenges, more manufacturers and installers are turning to smarter solutions like Space-Plug Adjustable Spacer Fixings, a patented system that replaces traditional L brackets. Wren Kitchens and Magnet Kitchens both forward thinking manufacturers already provide Space-Plug's as their main wall fixing for kitchen base units with their units. 

Space-Plug adjustable spacer fixings are screwed into position behind the cabinet and bridge the gap between the unit and the wall, allowing for a secure fixing that’s accurate, consistent, and fast to install. They adjust, so that whatever size service void your kitchen unit has, they can adapt. For example, if you are installing a DIY Kitchen, you will need a Space-Plug Regular - and we recommend either one or two plugs per unit. One is usually enough if there is a long run of units, but standalone two is preferable. 

Why This Matters

A well-executed service void and solid fixing to the wall isn’t just a technical detail, it will impact the quality of the final fit, the efficiency of the installation, and even the long-term durability of the kitchen. Consistency behind the scenes means better alignment, cleaner finishes, and less stress when installing your kitchen.

Whether you're a manufacturer, a fitter, or a DIY enthusiast, it’s worth exploring modern alternatives to traditional angle brackets, especially if you're looking for faster less frustrating install!

Final Thoughts

If you're ready to ditch L brackets and fix your units cleanly and securely into the service void your kitchen manufacturer has already created, check out our full range of Adjustable Spacer Fixings. They're designed to bridge that gap - giving you a strong, adjustable fixing point exactly where you need it. No more fiddly L brackets, awkward workarounds, or struggling to get a solid fixing. Just quick, clean, consistent installs - every time.

Buy online at www.space-plug.com

Adjustable spacing. Faster installs. Professional results.