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.
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.
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.
Eighteen inches off the counter is a good starting point and you will want your cabinets that high at the very least. That height will allow you to fit small appliances on the counter, beneath the cabinets, but it's not a be-all and end-all height. You can raise the cabinets higher and there are many reasons to do so.
In a typical family home, wall-hung kitchen cabinets measure between 32 and 36 inches tall, leaving a space of around one or two feet above. There is a valid reason for the gap between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling; this is the height that most people can reach by standing on the floor or by using a ladder.
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.
Cabinets come in standard sizes, and to reach the ceiling, you will need to figure out what size works best. Most kitchen ceilings are 8 to 9 feet high. You can likely use 42-inch tall wall cabinets, with 12-inch additions on top if needed, to achieve the height you want. You can fill any gaps with crown moulding.
Fill in the space with trim.
If the gap between your upper cabinets and the ceiling isn't particularly large, you can fill it in with trim running along the top of your upper cabinets. This makes for a cohesive, built-in look, and a lot less potential for collecting dust.
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.”
Mainly it is a matter of cost and ease of installation. Most kitchen cabinets are built in standard sizes and, when mounted on the wall, they leave space up above which gives the installer some wiggle room when leveling the cabinets.
Raising the cabinets to the ceiling gives an almost immediate sense of openness to a kitchen, while also providing for extra storage space below the cabinets. It's a budget-conscious (read: pretty much free) win-win that's DIY-friendly.
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)
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.
Is decorating above kitchen cabinets outdated? The short answer is no. There are so many beautiful ways to decorative above kitchen cabinets that will inject modernity, textural interest and decorative style to your kitchen. There are many interesting kitchen styling techniques and designs to chose from.
The recommended space between upper and lower cabinets is typically 18 inches. This measurement allows for sufficient workspace on the countertop while providing enough clearance for appliances and tasks.
Avoiding Damage: The floor is often prone to moisture, spills, and cleaning activities. By leaving a small gap between the cabinet doors and the floor, it helps to prevent the doors from coming into direct contact with these potentially damaging elements.
Often times, when a cabinet door won't close, and there is no damage to the door itself, the culprit is a worn-out or damaged hinge. Hinge adjustments on cabinets are not difficult with some patience.
The kitchen typically serves more of a practical purpose than an aesthetic one. High shelves are impractical and the large fluctuation in heating and cooling the space given the activities being performed there warrant as low a ceiling as possible.
1) Never leave crown moldings closer than 9 inches from a ceiling. Once you get within a foot of the ceiling you should have the cabinetry and molding meet the ceiling. Don't create spaces that look odd and that can't be cleaned. Molding too close to ceiling without reaching it.
Crown moldings are installed on walls and bottom of walls, and when they're used on kitchen cabinets, it's just another supposed way of taking them from boring to extraordinary. But nowadays, you can easily find cabinets without crown moldings that look absolutely beautiful.
8 Ft Ceilings – use a 39″ or 42″ upper cabinet
It is generally recommended that wall cabinets be mounted 54 inches up from the floor, which means that for 8 foot ceilings, a 39 or 42 inch upper cabinet will reach the ceiling, depending on the height of the crown molding used at the top of the cabinet.
Cabinet upgrade: decorate your cabinets with molding. You may not notice it at first, but molding is the unsung decor hero in every room. Simple pieces of crown molding, whether stacked, stepped, or the traditional variety, can be added to the tops of your cabinets for an upgrade that looks custom and expensive.
Benefits of High End Kitchen Cabinet
Here are some advantages of high-end kitchen cabinets. Durability. High-end kitchen cabinets are made to last. With the help of design experts, choose premium materials that will withstand the test of time when building your bespoke cabinets.