Where to end upper cabinets--with countertop overhang or with low

9 years ago

I've seen a lot of this question in reverse (e.g. "Do I end my tile backsplash at the countertop or upper cabinets", and the consensus there is the upper cabinets).

I'm getting upper cabinets all above my counters. Originally I wasn't going to the right of the vent hood, but I've decided I think cabinets there would look better. So, regarding these cabinets to the right of the hood:

What I'm asking is--do I line up my upper cabinets with my lower cabinets, or should I add an inch to my uppers so that the end panel lines up with the counters below them? (The counters overhand the base of the cabinets by ~2", and the end panel by ~1+".

I'm planning on adding white subway tile in the future. I'm wondering if it would look less awkward to have the cabinets end at the counter for this reason. I don't think it's a place you would really notice that difference too well except the distance between the cabinets and the entry.

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Comments (6)

blfenton
9 years ago
I have a space about the same size as yours to the right of your hood and it also ends at a doorway.

My upper and lower cabinets line up together with the counter slightly overhanging and the backsplash lines up with the counter and so does go beyond the uppers by about 1 1/4" or the length of the counter overhang.
catbuilder
9 years ago
No question about it, line up the cabinet with the counter overhang.
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kiko_gw
9 years ago
Honestly, I like it without any uppers. Is that an option?
adam211
Original Author
9 years ago
It's been a bit of an agonizing decision what to do with the cabinets. I could be swayed against uppers--but this is all a very big, long process for us. It's taken us a couple of years to even get this far with the cabinets. It's hard for me to visualize, and I need some design help. I was thinking white cabinets to the ceiling would look cleaner... often when I see no uppers it's on an entire wall, and I have a corner.

If I would do no uppers, I'd do subway tile all the way to the ceiling and a floating shelf like the inspired room, and would need a lot of encouragement from the garden web. Otherwise, my default is uppers.
User
9 years ago
I like the clean, modern aesthetic of your kitchen. I think using white subway tile will turn it into an ordinary kitchen. You do need dish and glass storage, and they could go on a shelf next to the window. But you also need prep space, so I'd try to fit a small island in with drawers for dish and glass storage opposite the sink and DW.

Would you remove the granite splash if you get the white subways? Tile on top of a short splash typically looks like an ill-planned, two stage remodel.
adam211
Original Author
9 years ago
I have a peninsula already.

With subway tile, I'd certainly remove the 4" backsplash. Part of the reason for putting in subway tile is because I like that traditional look, and I really dislike 4" backsplashes. Our home is 106 years old. Clean, but craftsman trim.