Kitchen Cabinets That Reach The Ceiling

Kitchens that have been built or remodeled in recent years are seeing a consistent trend toward cabinets that reach to the ceiling. For many years it was common to have a gap between the top of the upper kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. Often this was used as a space to display or store items that were not frequently used. Cabinets, including crown molding, will go all the way to the ceiling with one wall cabinet. The kitchen cabinets and molding do not go to the ceiling and the wall cabinets and trim will be just below the ceiling. Any crown molding or trim will continue around the room, above the cabinetry. 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. And there is good reason for this, as wall cabinets with these proportions are fairly accessible to most people standing on the floor or using a short stepladder.

The Height of Your Ceiling Ceilings higher than ten feet are usually too high to accommodate cabinets that extend all the way up. Not only will you never be able to reach the top shelf, cabinets that high can start to look bulky and overwhelming. Ceiling Details (Such as Beams and Soffits) For YEARS I've been planning to build our cabinets up to the ceiling. We picked them out more than 11 years ago and went with the shorter versions rather than taller. I knew that tallest shelf would be too high to reach and I was trying not to spend any more money building this house. Have you ever noticed that weird space between the tops of your cabinets and the ceiling in your kitchen? If not, that's completely understandable. You either lucked out with cupboards that stretch all the way to the ceiling, have open shelving, or this blank spot just hasn't come to your attention yet. Most especially in contemporary designs, there are features that will either allow or disallow ceiling-height cabinets in your kitchen. For example, there are some ceiling details that won't allow the cabinets to reach the ceiling. Details like beams and ceiling decorations will definitely impact how high your kitchen cabinets can go.

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) how I filled the space above cabinets in my own home. FYI: I avoided cabinets to the ceiling in all rooms to keep my cost down! Factor in the height of ceilings and trim when determining cabinet size and position. Cabinets are sold in standard heights of 30, 36, or 42 inches. With an upper cabinet mounting height of 54... Have you ever noticed that weird space between the tops of your cabinets and the ceiling in your kitchen? If not, that's completely understandable. You either lucked out with cupboards that stretch all the way to the ceiling, have open shelving, or this blank spot just hasn't come to your attention yet.

Extending Kitchen Cabinets Up to the Ceiling by Reality Daydream- Y'all, my friend Bethany is amazing! She walks you through exactly how she and her husband extended their kitchen cabinets all the way to their ceiling by building cabinet extensions. And how gorgeous are the details on the doors that they made?! Take Your Kitchen Cabinets To The Ceiling. October 12, 2016 in Kitchen, Remodeling, Designing. I'm working on a kitchen remodel right now that is going to be such a great improvement for this homeowner. They will love the major things we've specified as well as the little things (that still cost money) but make the job worth it. Standard cabinets could go all the way to the ceiling by adding crown molding and trim in the gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. Alternatively, cabinets would extend to a dropdown, drywall soffit within the kitchen.

Generally, cabinets that reach the ceiling are up to 42″ in height. This provides plenty of shelf space to store food and/or kitchen supplies, which is important in making the most of the limited space in your kitchen. I like the balance of having the kitchen cabinets lower. They look good in our space. It's a personal decision. I will say that I have to use a step stool to access the top shelf in the 42" upper cabinets. And I have to get a taller stool to reach the upper hutch ceiling cabinet that's above the 42'ers. Place the boards vertically as you want them to go over your cabinets. Use a nail gun to nail through the boards into the cabinets and ceiling. Drill a flat bracket or L bracket into each board and use it to connect to the top of the cabinets. Run crown molding across the top and nail into the vertical boards.

Why don't kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling? Because most people can't reach the upper levels of kitchen cabinets that extend to the ceiling. That said, more and more kitchens do have cabinets that extend to the ceiling, even with 9 or 10 foot ceilings. If you need to access the upper levels, you need a small step ladder. Tall, artful vases and ceramic art can visually reach upward toward the ceiling, filling up the bareness above the cabinets and making for a modern feel. High Ceilings: A Blessing and a Curse Continue to 7 of 9 below. 07 of 09 If the kitchen has a 9 foot ceiling, the largest standard size wall cabinets, 42 inches high, are used. When using 42 inch cabinets in an 8 foot ceiling there will be no room left for a crown molding. Instead, you can use a small height crown molding and drop the cabinets 1 1/2-2 inches, but you'll sacrifice the backsplash height.