If your ceiling height is over 9 ft you can still go to the ceiling but it may not be practical and can look overhelming. In kitchen with tall ceilings it might be best to create a soffit at the 9 ft mark to run cabients to or vary the cabinet height to add interest and break up the wall space.
Generally, upper cabinets are mounted with the bottom edge being 54-inches above the floor. That means if you have 8-foot ceilings, your upper cabinets would be 42-inches tall, while a 9-foot ceiling has 54 inches available.
Most homes have kitchen cabinets that are 32 or 36 inches tall, with an interval of 1 to 2 feet between the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling.
In a traditional home, upper-level wall-hung cabinets typically measure between 32 and 36 inches tall, leaving a space of around one or two feet above. However, in modern kitchens – particularly in urban locations where space is at a premium – running cabinets to the ceiling is a smart way to incorporate extra storage.
There are no building codes that establish a standard upper cabinet height. The prevailing “standard” among kitchen remodelers is 54 inches from the floor to the cabinet's bottom edge. That leaves an 18-inch space between the countertops and the upper cabinets.
An alternative solution in kitchens with taller ceilings is to simply stop the cabinets short of the ceiling and top them with a thick crown molding. The range chimney stretches to the ceiling for functional reasons, but also to contrast the height of the upper cabinets.
Also, you could use 12” cabinets above the 42” ones and then fill the gaps with crown moldings or other decorative work. → For 10-foot-tall ceilings, the best option would be to have cabinetry makers build the custom cabinets to fit the space perfectly.
You can build the cabinets to the ceiling (most expensive option), keep the area open (no cost!), build a soffit to match the cabinets, or add a drywall soffit. Below I'll share photo examples (and the why behind)
Some people are completely focused on having as much storage as possible in the kitchen and selecting 42" upper cabinets will definitely give you more space. It also helps make the ceiling appear larger by having the cabinets touch the ceiling. But, be warned, the extra space does come with a few caveats.
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.
Today's standard ceiling height is nine feet.
Put your desired ceiling height measurements in the construction contract you and your contractor sign. Many high-end builders don't charge extra for nine-foot ceilings, but be sure to discuss any additional costs up front.
Sometime between 1995 and 2004, nine-foot ceilings replaced eight-foot ceilings as the most common ceiling height in single family homes.
It is absolutely more desirable to haveif you 9' ceilings, and will more than pay for itself in value added to the home. Consider choosing more economical finishes like counters and bathroom floors that can be upgraded down the road, ceiling height is forever.
If you think they look too crowded or you like the way cabinets look when they have some space above, then ceiling-height cabinets may not be the right choice. Some homes also have non-standard ceiling sizes. You might, for instance, have a soaring ceiling on one side that slopes down throughout the kitchen.
Is decorating above kitchen cabinets outdated? The short answer is no.
Leaving soffits on top of your cabinets
Soffits are completely out of style and so almost all sensible kitchen renovations will require removing the soffits, sometimes called “bulkheads” by homeowners.
Are staggered cabinets out of style? Staggered cabinets are no longer in style, and we are seeing more and more kitchen designers phase out this once-popular kitchen trend in favor of more luxurious and tailored designs. The new du rigor is to embrace a well-planned combination of cabinets and open shelving.
It's better to keep things more accessible,” Ashley says. Always work with your designer to determine what height will look best in your space. “Leave a foot or more between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling. This looks intentional and gives your kitchen the polished, elevated look you're seeking.”
The two primary upper cabinet choices are 36 inch and 42-inch cabinets. If you are dealing with a ceiling height of 36 inches it is quite a safe bet to go for the 36-inch ones. They will not touch the roof of the ceiling so the option of adding a crown molding can be left for later on.
Add Crown Molding
By installing crown molding on top of your upper cabinets, you'll achieve the illusion of height. Adding this carpentry work will make your kitchen cabinets look new and give them a custom feel. This strategy works particularly well in more formal, traditional homes, like Georgians and Colonials.
One of the benefits of 9 ft ceilings is that it won't let your voice echo in the room. Whereas, high ceilings can cause unnecessary echo and if your child likes to scream and yell, as most children do, then you should not have high ceilings at home.
By the Victorian age, ceilings were shorter than they were the years leading up to it. But then by the time that the 1900s rolled around, ceilings shrunk once again, leaving us with eight-foot ceilings. Since then, ceiling heights have changed, going from 8-feet to 10-feet to 9-feet where they still stand today.