How does the height of your kitchen cabinets affect your kitchen design?

Author: Reid Kozey  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Taller cabinets can make a kitchen feel more grand, while shorter cabinets may create a more open, airy feel. Customization Options: If needed, adjust the standard heights. Customizations like adding a countertop underlay or opting for thicker countertops can make your kitchen more comfortable to use.

What is the best height for kitchen cabinets?

The upper kitchen cabinet should be installed at least 54 inches from the floor to allow for a conventional backsplash. Keep the upper kitchen cabinets within comfortable reach by keeping the base cabinets between 32 and 36 inches high.

Do taller cabinets make kitchen look bigger?

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Installing tall cabinets or open shelving draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller and more expansive. Floor-to-ceiling storage maximizes every inch of space while keeping countertops clear and uncluttered.

Are 42 inch cabinets too tall?

42” upper cabinets are a very common selection for 9' ceilings. You will have 12” of space above 42” cabinets; if you want them to meet the ceiling you will have to install 12” of crown molding.

What is the code for kitchen cabinet height?

The standard height for upper cabinets from the counter is 18 inches, or 1 foot and 6 inches. They shouldn't be less than 15 inches away or more than 20 inches away. This also means the height to where the bottom of your upper cabinets starts.

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What is handicap height for kitchen cabinets?

32 ½” of overall cabinet height: Cabinets need to be an overall height of 32 ½” in order to be compliant with the ADA. 9” deep/high toe kick: The toe kick of your kitchen cabinets needs to be at least 9”. The toe kick is the space under the bottom cabinets that the cabinet hangs over.

What is the height code for a backsplash?

Generally, a kitchen backsplash is no higher than four inches. However, many homeowners consider that to be a little bit too low, as four inches of backsplash still exposes a lot of the unprotected wall surface.

What is the best height for kitchen countertops for tall people?

This, of course, can vary and be adjusted according to your personal preferences,” Liz adds. “For taller individuals, we recommend nothing higher than 38 inches.”

Why do kitchen cabinets not go to the ceiling?

It's important for homeowners to easily reach items in their kitchen cabinets, regardless of their height. The average folk's height plays a role in the standard height of kitchen cabinets. If the cabinets were to touch the ceiling, most people would need a step stool or ladder to access top-shelf items.

Should upper and lower cabinets be the same color?

A frequent iteration of the look includes a darker color for the lower cabinets and a lighter shade for higher shelves. Think white cabinets above the sink paired with shades of blue, black, or brown below. However, there are no set rules for which color combinations or design elements work best.

What color makes a kitchen look bigger?

Lighter kitchen colors can make it look bigger. A palette of lighter, low-contrast colors—such as pale yellows, grays and greens—will have a similar feel of openness. Strategically placing pops of contrast can help guide the eye to different areas of the space while infusing the room with your own personality.

How tall should kitchen cabinets be with 8 foot ceilings?

In summary, with 8' ceilings, a 90" cabinet is almost mandatory to ensure proper fit, and the ability to install the cabinet. Even if you have sacrificed the decorative molding for more space, this one cabinet needs to be taken into consideration.

What backsplash makes a kitchen look bigger?

Try a long horizontal backsplash tile or subway tile to draw the eye across the room. You can achieve the same effect with horizontal tiled or herringbone flooring while enhancing the kitchen design. As you can see, there are endless ways to trick the eye and make any room appear bigger.

What height should cabinets be above stove?

The general standard is 66" off the floor to the bottom of the cabinet or microwave. That is if you are using a standard 36" countertop height. This means you have 30" of space between the stovetop and the underside of the cabinet above it.

What brands of kitchen cabinets does Lowes carry?

Lowe's offers a variety of custom cabinets and semi-custom cabinets from several different manufacturers to meet your style and construction preferences and exceed your every expectation. Shop KraftMaid cabinets, Shenandoah cabinets, Diamond cabinets and Schuler Cabinetry cabinets.

Why do kitchens not have ceiling fans?

Space Limitations. In smaller kitchens with limited ceiling space, installing a ceiling fan can be challenging. You need to ensure that there's sufficient clearance and space for the fan to operate optimally without interfering with other fixtures.

Is crown molding on kitchen cabinets outdated?

'While we don't think the crown molding will ever go out of style, we do think that modern kitchens tend to call for crownless caps,' they tell me. 'It's our suggestion to tailor your crown to your kitchen.

What size kitchen cabinets for a 10 foot ceiling?

30 inch or 36 inch wall cabinets are ideal for kitchens with 8 foot ceilings. The height you decide on may be based on the presence of crown molding or soffits in your kitchen design. 42 inch wall cabinets work well in kitchens with ceilings that are 9 feet or taller.

Is 37 inches too high for a kitchen countertop?

The standard height should be between 38”-39” for people above-average height. 32” is good for below-average height people. In case of disabled people and wheelchair users, the height of countertop should be 31”-34”.

What is the code for kitchen counter height?

Let's Recap. The standard counter height is 36 inches for kitchens and 32 inches for bathrooms. People frequently deviate from these norms, however, to create a custom design that works for their needs or desires.

What is the height of a standard kitchen cabinet?

The standard size of a base cabinet is 34.5 inches tall without the countertop and 36 inches with the countertop. The toekick portion, which is the bottom part of the cabinet that sits on the floor, measures 4.5 inches.

Where should you not put backsplash?

Run your kitchen backsplash between upper and lower cabinets. The backsplash connects the two sets of cabinets, which helps the room feel bigger and more cohesive. Do not put a backsplash behind your fridge unless you can clearly see that wall.

How tall is modern backsplash?

The standard kitchen backsplash height is 15 inches, but you can go higher or lower. When deciding what the right backsplash height would be for your kitchen, there are many considerations. The first step is measuring the space you're working with and looking at the cabinets surrounding the area.

What is the standard height between counter and upper cabinets?

Past cabinets show that it is standard to install cabinets about 18 inches off the countertop, but it's becoming more popular to hang cabinets a bit higher for more space, such as 20 inches or more.

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