Raising Standard Cabinets

16 years ago

Currently, we have standard size cabinets and 8 foot ceilings. We originally planned to just add crown to the cabinets, but I really love the look of cabinets that go to the ceiling (without the price tag of buying new cabinets!). I was thinking that we may be able to bulk up the molding (as seen posted recently by another user here, love it!) and then add the crown. In which case, I think there will only be a couple inches left between the top of the crown and the ceiling (I think that there is 12 inches between the ceiling and top of the cabinets with no crown now). I know that one problem would be seeing the bottom of the cabinets, but we plan to add under cabinet lighting and hiding that anyway. But would it look 'funny' to have another 3 or so inches between the bottom of the cabinets and the counter tops? Or do you think building it up on top and then adding a trim piece at the bottom to hide the lights will help with the difference? If we built the molding up and did not raise them, I worry that the 3 or so inches on top would look 'silly' or unfinished. We're just trying to make the most of what we have (we'll be painting the cabinets).

Phew. Any thoughts/opinions appreciated!

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Comments (9)

stuktu
16 years ago
The downside of raising the cabinets up higher than the standard 18" above the countertop (54" off the floor) is that it may be a little high for some users to use the cabinets, especially the second shelf. If you can comfortably reach things on the floor of the cabinet and on the next shelf up then it should be no problem.

At the top of the cabinets (with or without raising them) you can build a false soffit with wood and then use a large crown. Because you would have so much space between the doors and the ceiling you will need a very large crown to keep a sense of proportion.

All in all I think that what you are proposing will look very nice.
blackcats13
16 years ago
I recently was told that our cabinets are higher then usual (I hadn't really realized it before). I'm 5'5 and have to reach to place mugs on the top shelf, but I love the extra height on the counter and will be placing my new-to-me cabinets at the same height. I can measure when I'm home if you need to know the numbers.
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kitchen_monster
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much for the responses :o)

I had a contractor come today to give us a quote for a few things that we want to do in the kitchen. It turns out that our cabinets are already 18 3/4 inches above the counter tops... and if we did what I was talking about with bulking up the molding and then putting crown on top, it would still leave 4 inches between the crown and ceiling. Ack.

So at this point, I'm not sure what we'll end up doing. I really like the idea of adding more height to the standard cabinets, even if it's just visual perception.. so I think we'll still bulk them up a bit and do crown. I am not a fan of having a big open space above the cabinets or displaying dishes, greenery, etc. there. But perhaps we can do some above the cabinet lights at some point or something... or maybe it won't end up bothering me so much in the end. We'll see, I suppose! I just feel like 4 inches of dead space would look a little awkward, but it may turn out okay.

My rationale for raising them was that I can only reach the third row on tippy toes (I prefer to knock things down with a wooden spoon, my husband loves this.. ha!) anyway, so what's the difference? (I'm 5'5")

blackcats13, I would love to know your cabinet height! I think that 2-3 inches would be totally fine, but 4 may be a bit much. My other idea was adding a trim piece at the bottom of the cabinets to eat up another inch or so of space, but I'm not sure if that would just throw off the proportions of the whole thing or not.

So much to consider!
blackcats13
16 years ago
Sure thing! Floor to counter surface is about 35.5, counter to underside of cabs (not counting the little overhang on the front of the cab which is a half inch) is 22.5, the cab itself (including that half inch now) is 30.25. The top of the cab is against the (hopefully soon to be gone) sofit (soffit? soffitt? whatever). Here's a pic from before we bought the house for reference. Haha, it looks so much nicer in the pic then it did in real life! Hm, there is an awful lot of space above those cabs huh? I'll have to think about that...
Circus Peanut
16 years ago
Can you add a flat board (stained to match the cabs) to extend the height between trim? Mine have a 6" space between top of cab and ceiling, but my molding is very minimal and having 10" or so might not look bad at all with larger crown.
doraville
16 years ago
Could you put 12" cabinets (maybe with glass doors) on top of your existing cabinets?
daveinorlado
16 years ago
your cabinets should be 30" high making a 12" gap between your cabinets and the ceiling if you have 96" ceiling height.

This is what you do.

Use a 3.25" - 3.5" crown molding
put a .75" x 6" filler on the top of your cabinets
Move the cabinets up 3" to 87" from the floor to the top. Install 2.5" traditional light rail on the bottom of your cabinets
3+6+30+2.5 = 41.5" you should be between 18.5"-19.5" from your counter. It will look very similar to the white kitchen you are referring to that was posted a few days ago.

Some contractors are not cheap but worth their price for the service and quality you will get. Keep in mind that you cross over the cost of new cabints and installation when spend more than $250 per lineal foot of the kitchen.
daveinorlado
16 years ago
your cabinets should be 30" high making a 12" gap between your cabinets and the ceiling if you have 96" ceiling height.

This is what you do.

Use a 3.25" - 3.5" crown molding
put a .75" x 6" filler on the top of your cabinets
Move the cabinets up 3" to 87" from the floor to the top. Install 2.5" traditional light rail on the bottom of your cabinets
3+6+30+2.5 = 41.5" you should be between 18.5"-19.5" from your counter. It will look very similar to the white kitchen you are referring to that was posted a few days ago.

Some contractors are not cheap but worth their price for the service and quality you will get. Keep in mind that you cross over the cost of new cabints and installation when spend more than $250 per lineal foot of the kitchen.
arlosmom
16 years ago
What if you move your cabinets up and add an open shelf below? Check out the kitchen in the link -- that's what she did and I think it looks wonderful.

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen cabinet reno