Place setting collectors and kitchen gadget connoisseurs are eager to take advantage of every possible inch or storage space, and are often tempted to take their kitchen cabinets right to the ceiling in order to maximize storage. There are tradeoffs and disadvantages to sky high cabinets, though. Normandy Designer Ashley Noetheexplains several reasons why.
The first reason is practicality. “At a certain point, there’s no benefit to going higher because you’ll need more than just a stepladder to reach anything you store there. 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.”
“Your designer will work with the lines of your kitchen to make the cabinet line look natural,” she adds. “If your ceiling is vaulted or otherwise extremely tall, stopping your cabinets at 10’ or a little lower will help define the space.”
Next, consider the weather fluctuations of the region. “The Midwest weather is volatile, with high and low temperatures, humid summers and dry winters. Wood expands and contracts through all of this.
Whether your house is one year old or 100 years old, it’s really a question of when the caulk line at your moldings will crack and separate from the ceiling, not if it will,” Ashley says.
Hold down higher cabinets very slightly to create a shadow line, called a reveal line. This approach allows you to maximize your storage potential without the frustrations that you’ll otherwise encounter with seasonal variations. It looks intentional and has the effect of a refined finishing touch.”
Finally, consider the style of the kitchen and where kitchen design is trending. “We’re seeing sleeker kitchens with single crown molding or no crown molding and simplified cabinets,” Ashley says.
Ashley offers this way to think of kitchen style as it relates to reveal line. “We use this reveal in traditional kitchens with a detailed, or ornate, crown molding. The idea is in a sleek, modern kitchen to do no crown at all, and in a traditional kitchen to use crown, but keep that reveal at the ceiling.”
Whether you’re dreaming of a modern, traditional or transitional kitchen, cabinets are one of your biggest investments. Set up a time to talk with a Designer like Ashley to work through all the options for a kitchen that works well and weathers well. The Normandy Remodeling photo galleries are great for finding inspiration. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for ideas, before and after stories and more.
FAQs
Ceiling-height cabinets can create a claustrophobic feeling in a small kitchen. Cabinets that run all the way to the ceiling can turn an otherwise large room into a cramped feeling space. That is why it is important to understand your design preferences before making a decision.
Why don't kitchen cabinets go all the way to the ceiling? ›
Some people think that too many cabinets can make a space look overly crowded or cluttered. Leaving a space between the ceiling and the top of the cabinets can make a kitchen feel more clean and airy. They also say that if you have a sloped ceiling, cabinets most likely won't be able to extend up to the ceiling.
Should kitchen cabinets go up to the ceiling? ›
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.”
Can you get kitchen cabinets that go to the ceiling? ›
If your kitchen falls within this category, there are a few options for you to choose from if you prefer the look of to-the–ceiling cabinetry. You can fill the entire space by installing cabinets. Either buy cabinets that fill the space precisely or run two rows of wall cabinets that occupy the entire vertical space.
What is it called when kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling? ›
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.
Do kitchen cabinets to the ceiling make the room look bigger? ›
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.
What can I do with space between top of cabinets and ceiling? ›
How to decorate the space above kitchen cabinets: 15 creative...
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- Store Books in the space. ...
- Create an above-cupboard wine store. ...
- Add rustic Storage baskets. ...
- Use fairy lights to create an ambience. ...
- Wire Storage baskets.
Hanging cabinets from the ceiling requires some modification for proper support. Learn how to add a wooden hanging rail or brace to the top of the cabinet.
Can I move my kitchen cabinets to the ceiling? ›
You can move your cabinets up, but it is a bit of work. You will have to empty the cabinets, remove the screws holding them into the wall and to each other, and then remount them higher... making sure you hit the studs again when you screw them back in.
Do 42 cabinets go to the ceiling? ›
If you have 8-foot-tall ceilings and want cabinets that run to the ceiling, 42-inch-tall wall cabinets will fit perfectly. If you have 9-foot-tall ceilings, you can choose to fill the available 54 inches of wall space with one row of 36-inch-tall cabinets, with a row of 18-inch cabinets above them.
Kitchen soffits are usually installed above your cabinets, closing the gaps between the cabinets and ceiling. While kitchen soffits were very popular in older homes, the style has fallen out of favor for many homeowners and interior designers. The lower ceilings create a cramped atmosphere that can feel restrictive.
How far from the ceiling should you hang kitchen cabinets? ›
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.
Should kitchen cabinet crown molding touch the ceiling? ›
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.
Why don't my kitchen cabinets close all the way? ›
The most common issues involve malfunctioning, worn-out cabinet hinges, or discrepancies in the alignment between the cabinet door and its box. Knowing to look out for these issues and how to fix cabinet hinges will help you keep your cabinets in pristine condition for years.
How high do kitchen cabinets go? ›
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.
Whether you’re dreaming of a modern, traditional or transitional kitchen, cabinets are one of your biggest investments. Set up a time to talk with a Designer like Ashley to work through all the options for a kitchen that works well and weathers well. The Normandy Remodeling photo galleries are great for finding inspiration. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for ideas, before and after stories and more.
