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.
The Standard Kitchen Cabinet Height
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is standard cabinet height? The height of a standard cabinet varies depending on the cabinets. Base cabinets – 34.5-inches or 36 inches with countertop. Tall cabinets – 84, 90, 96-inches.
Advantages of Kitchen Cabinets That Go All The Way Up to the Ceiling. It is vital to point out that most people prefer to use 42'' tall upper cabinets as they accord them much more space while also touching the ceiling thus making it appear visibly larger.
Most homes built in the last 50 years have kitchen cabinets that are 32 or 36 inches tall, installed so there is a gap of 1 to 2 feet between the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling.
The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular layouts because it's super functional and can be adapted for almost any sized space. As the name implies, an L-shaped layout features cabinetry and appliances along two adjacent walls, creating an obvious triangle path between work zones.
In general, a standard backsplash is installed to be four inches from the surface of the countertop. As of late, however, this height is being overshadowed by 15” installations. These can be made of any material, however, many times they are cut from the same slab as the countertop.
TLDR: There's really no “right” or “wrong” height at which you should hang your kitchen shelves. Honestly, as long as you like the look and you can reach your items, you're good to go! But the “standard” we'd recommend would be about 18 inches above your countertop surface and/or 54 inches from the floor.
Standard countertop overhang is 1 ½ inches.
Keep in mind that this is 1 ½ inches over the front edge of the base cabinet. While some countertops may have different overhang measurements, this is the number that is seen as standard for homes.
Go with Light Colors
Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
If you have a small kitchen, white and neutral paint colors can be a lifesaver. White paint reflects light, makes walls recede, and increases the sense of space.
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.
Ceiling-high kitchen cabinets reach the ceiling in your kitchen. Some kitchen cabinetry stops a foot or two before the ceiling. But when you install ceiling-height cabinets, you get no room at the top. The cabinets continue on a smooth line until they meet the ceiling.
In reality ceiling height is only one part of the package when it comes to buying a home. For instance, 10 ft ceilings sound like an asset, but if they're found in a home with a terrible layout, they might not command a premium at all. So just because they are there does not make them inherently valuable.
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.
It's only necessary to have the cabinets themselves level. With lots of shims, this can be done over an uneven floor or against a wall that is out of plumb.
As a general rule of thumb, you will want at least a 1/2" of clearance on both sides between the lip of the sink and the inside walls of the cabinet (1/4" is tight, but doable!).