Any downside to hanging upper cabinets lower than 18'?

14 years ago

I think I want to hang my upper cab:inets lower than the standard height. The KD I'm working with was hesitant at first, but he thinks it's ok if that's what I want. It seems a waste to have so much cab:inet up high, especially since I am only 5'2".

I'm thinking/planning that we'll have a 2 inch light rail, 42" upper cabs, and trim/molding up to the ceiling (8ft). Originally the KD had planned for 36 inch cabs and leaving the space above open. I read that Circuspeanut has lower cabs and loves them; I would like to hear more about how that is working out.

I'm not as concerned about space for countertop appliances as I am with the look and balance. I would love to hear what experience or opinions everyone has of lower cabs. My house and kitchen are fairly small with little natural light in the kitchen, I don't know if that makes a difference when considering cab height. My kitchen won't be a showpiece like some of the beauties I've seen on this web site, but I hope to end up with a user friendly, relaxing space.

Thanks for all the help and advice!

Featured Answer

Circus Peanut

14 years ago

What they said. ^ I'd also say that it all depends on how many uppers you have and whether they form a solid bank around the perimeter of the entire space.

If you're working with a kitchen designer, he can help ensure that your tops all work out the right way (staggered or even, depending on your planned look).

My caveats, to be responsible about bucking the norm and why I did it:
-- I have as much counter space without uppers as I do with, so I have plenty of room for freakishly tall appliances, should I ever need them.
-- I cook a lot with very varied ingredients and tools and want things close at hand.
-- My kitchen is fairly bright & sunny.

I'm 5'8" or so and have never had a kitchen where I felt so comfortable working; friends who cook here tell me this all the time too. I think it's got a lot to do with the ease of these lowered uppers -- one of those small unnoticeable things like the tilt of a chair that you don't realize you'd been missing until you adjust it.

I'll link a favorite article on kitchen ergonomics from Starcraft Builders, below:

Here is a link that might be useful: mise-en-place: what we can learn from commercial kitchen design

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

bostonpam
14 years ago
I'm barely 5'3" and we had the cabients installed at 17" plus 1.25" light rail (so 15.75" above the countertop). I'm not actually "in" my kitchen yet but cannot wait to use it. The only appliances living on my counters will be a small 2nd microwave and a toaster (we're not coffee drinkers). As long as you know some appliances may have trouble with the lower cabs I don't see any other downside. My 9 year old daughter can reach more of the cabinets (heck, I can reach the 3rd shelf if not too high!). If I need to use a large appliance I always have the island. How low are you thinking of going? We could have gone another inch. It makes the cabinets that much more useful. I've lived temporarily in kitchens where I could only reach the 1st shelf - what a waste!
0
techmom1
14 years ago
Hi - I'm not even 5' tall, so this is my 2nd kitchen with 16" between counter and cabinets. This time it's only on the sink wall, which is at standard height to accommodate the dishwasher, because I LOWERED the base cabinets to 34" on the other wall with the cooktop so I'd have a lower surface for cooking and to work at. The uppers are all the same, so there's a larger distance between the granite and uppers on that wall. I didn't have that in my other kitchen and never had any issues with the 16" space.
0
Related Professionals
Artondale Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Galena Park Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Glen Carbon Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Hanover Township Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Independence Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Mooresville Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Paducah Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Tuckahoe Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Waukegan Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Canton Cabinets & Cabinetry · Citrus Heights Cabinets & Cabinetry · Gaffney Cabinets & Cabinetry · Highland Village Cabinets & Cabinetry · Manville Cabinets & Cabinetry · White Center Cabinets & Cabinetry
joann23456
14 years ago
Besides making sure that your appliances fit in the space, the only downside I see is that if you have tall cabinets next to runs of cabinets with uppers and lowers, they won't line up. The tall cabinets are made so that their doors and drawer line up with the standard 36" base, 18" space, then the uppers.
0
plllog
14 years ago
Joann makes a good point--if you're using stock, you might need a filler crown to make them line up with tall pantries. Since people put different heights in their kitchens on purpose, for visual interest, it shouldn't be too hard to make a design that's pleasing.

A lot of small appliances nowadays assume 18". That's the main reason people stick to that number. In case they want to tuck a new coffee maker or mixer back under the cabinets. A good functional height for using them is probably more important.
0
techmom1
14 years ago
Good point vis-a-vis stock cabinetry. My previous kitchen was stock so I just had to adjust the crown as my tall pantry cabinets were on a different wall. I'm currently using custom, so they were able to account for this issue. Another thing to consider is that because of having less space, you probably don't want to use a 4" backsplash.
0
pinch_me
14 years ago
One of my kitchens had 13 inches between uppers and lowers. I wish I would have done it this time. Even the 2nd shelf is UP THERE! Bearing in mind the appliances under it, I'd go closer together if I could.
0
julie94062
14 years ago
circuspeanut...great website (mise-en-place)!

I'm 5'8" and my uppers are 19" above the 37" high counter(supposed to be 18"...didn't check it until the kitchen was done). Love the slightly higher counter (I asked for it), but wish I had thought ahead to how high the shelves in the uppers would be. Actually, with the 1.5" to hide the under cab lights, the first shelf is 20.5" above the counter. I really wish the uppers were lower, especially since the tallest appliance I keep out on the counter is my toaster :-)

My old uppers were about 17" and that's about right for me.

I ended up designating a spot for a step stool in the new kitchen, lol.
0
judydel
14 years ago
Our cabinets are 14" from the counter. Because they extend so low, we were able to have 4 shelves. I am 5'3" and I can reach the bottom three shelves easily. I love it!

Our 4 slice toaster fits under the cabinets, however, we pull it out to the edge of the counter when in use. Our knife block also fits underneath.

We have plenty of other counter areas without upper cabinets for prepping, baking, etc. If I didn't have other counter areas, it would be annoying to have the uppers extend down so far.
0
Buehl
14 years ago
Thread: Height of cabinets from countertop
0
reyesuela
14 years ago
Sight lines are the only other factor people haven't mentioned, as long as you have undercab lighting. I get visually claustrophobic starting at 14"
0
nansea
Original Author
14 years ago
Reyesuela,
not sure, but do you mean that if there is undercounter lighting you don't have that claustrophobic feeling?
0