And yes, we are bringing the other cabinets to the height of the range hood...

So the bottom of the cabinets will be 24" above the countertops?? Am I understanding this correctly?

Just so you know, the standard distance between counter tops and the bottom of upper cabinets is 16-18". And, you mentioned that you're 5'1" tall. You realize that that the bottom of the cabinet will be only 1" below the top of your head?

Yes, I realize. This is a galley kitchen, so this only applies for the cabinets on that side (there are only two cabinets; the order on the wall from left to right is: stacking washer/dryer; 24" cabinets, 30" range/range hood, dishwasher, sink -- no cabinets above dishwasher or sink since there's a window there). On the other side we are doing the standard height. So we're really only talking about one cabinet that is at that height. Since there's only space for two total cabinets on that wall, one above the range hood and one next to it, we thought it would be awkward to have them be at different heights. I think it only makes sense if cabinets are to either side of the hood, framing it.

I am 5'2" and I have a hood that is 22 1/2" above the top of the stove (so just under 24" above the height of the counter). It is 19.5" deep. Yes, it's low, and sticks out a fair distance, but you aren't going to bump your head on it, and you are short enough that it won't be in your way when cooking. How much does your DH cook? It looks like it might be too low for him, but if he is rarely at the stove, it may not be a concern.

I'd also be more concerned about having the cabinets raised to the higher level than having the hood at 24". What are you going to do if you raise your hood to 30"? If you raise your cabinets accordingly, you'll need a step stool to reach the bottom shelf!

Yes, good point! DH does cook sometimes--not very often, though, and getting to the back burners won't be as much of an issue (he's less likely to have multiple pots going at the same time than I am). Also, he doesn't want to have to change anything from the layout we have now, so he will be invested in NOT complaining about the height, even if it's not ideal :)

I like more space under the hood but I've had less. I think you will be fine. I'm about your height--one thing that would concern me is having the cabinets that height if anyone in the family isn't good about closing doors...

Yes, it's really just one single cabinet that will be at that height (there's only one cabinet on that wall in addition to the one above the hood) and we actually did it with a vertically-opening door, which I think will be nice. On the other side, the cabinets are all at the standard height, although the go up very high (40" tall!) and I have no idea how I'll ever reach the things at the top of those.

Check the specs for the hood - see what the minimum distance b/w the hood and the cooking surface is. You need to meet the minimum spelled out by the manufacturer. If the minimum is 24", then I think you'll be fine.

Our hood is mounted 30" off the cooking surface and is 24" deep, so it sticks out a bit - but not past the base cabinets/counters. We're a tall family (I'm the shortest at 5'10", my DH the tallest at 6'7"), so the distances are comparable. I don't bump my head on the hood. I think most people develop a "sense" for knowing the hood is there and don't bump their heads.

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"...We purchased a Bosch under-cabinet range, which sticks out fairly far...."

Hmmm... when you say "range", do you mean range hood? "Range" is another word for a stove.

Why not skip the cabinet and just use a hood over the range and put the rest of the cabinets at the best height for you to use them? I don't understand where the vent hole is that is causing this height issue...you did not show it in the pictures. You should both follow the mftr instructions and local code requirements and I'd be surprised if that is 24"...

@buehl -- yes, I meant range hood, thanks for catching that.

@practigal -- the vent hole is directly behind where the hood will be mounted, so in order to use it with the vent (rear discharge), we have to mount it at that exact height. even if we skip using a cabinet, mounting the hood itself higher would mean it would be above the height of the hole in the wall, so we would only be able to use it as recirculating.

so far everyone is reassuring me that the height won't be much of an issue, which i'm pleased to hear, because moving the hood higher or buying a new hood would be a lot of work either way. thanks everyone!

Oh, and I did check the specs given by Bosch. On a lot of documents it says 30", but in the actual manual it says 24" - 30" so I think it is fine.

Thanks @funkycamper...that's what I was thinking. Before we realized there was an outside vent behind the preexisting hood, we had actually purchased one of those integrated hood vents from Ikea (basically just a flat, almost invisible panel underneath the cabinet, with no footprint whatsoever). I so much preferred that look to the giant hood sticking out, but unfortunately those only vent UP since the whole body is hidden inside the cabinet, and can't be vented to the rear. But it was worth sacrificing what probably would have looked better for having a real vented hood. I never thought I would have one in NYC! We're probably the only ones in the whole building who have it (also the only ones with a vent for a dryer, so we can have a real washer/dryer in our unit).

And yes, regarding the cabinet height I think it'll look much better being even with the hood. I tend to not like when there is too much height variation -- I've seen some kitchens where the cabinets are standard height, raised for the range, lowered again, then raised again for the sink. I hate that jumbled look.

I agree. I don't like that jumbled look either. Oh, how lucky you are to have a vented hood AND W/D!!

OK, so now that height has been resolved, next issue! So, most under-cabinet range hoods are made for 12" deep cabinets, but Ikea's cabinets are 15" deep. So Ikea sells these small filler pieces that mount behind the range hood, which we did buy, but when our contractor initially mounted it he didn't put the filler piece in. So the hood is all the way back. We're torn about whether we should have him move it forward and put in the filler piece: on the one hand, I kind of like that it's further back in space, which addresses my issue the hood being low and hitting our heads on it while cooking (and just generally gives the thing a smaller, more discreet footprint). On the other hand, because the hood is meant to be mounted to a 12" deep cabinet, it means that when mounted all the way back, the top of it starts to slope down before the end of the cabinet, instead of remaining flush and starting to slope down at the end of the cabinet, which I think looks a little awkward.

What would you do? Move the hood forward so it fits as its supposed to (and install filler panel? Or take advantage of the opportunity to move it back in space? Pictures attached (how it looks now). FTR -- We will likely be installing cover panels on the sides of the cabinets, so the side of the range will actually be covered. Only the front might look a little weird because of the gap.

I would move it forward. You will get better venting with more capture area.

Could you wait til you get the doors on and see how it looks with it all the way back?

Hmm...not sure...we can't do it before we install the cover panels, I don't think. I'm leaning towards moving it forward, too. Husband likes it further back. He is all for a smaller footprint.

I would have to move it forward. I think that gap would drive me nuts.

Move it forward!

Another vote to move it forward. That gap makes it look like it's falling down.

Agree with the above. Move it forward.

Also I wanted to point out that depending on your height, the head bumping problem may not be that much of a problem. I have a tall husband, and according to him, the things he'll hit his head on are things he "almost" clears, if you know what I mean. If the hood is in your field of view, it can actually be better. Well, as long as you can see under it, that is!

I have my hood mounted so that the top of it is 28" above the counter (the bottom would be ~24" then). I am 5'11", and it does not get in my way at all. I followed the instructions that came with my hood in determining mounting height. I also have ikea cabinets and have the hood pulled forward 3" to match the front of the cabinets, though my lower cabinets are pulled forward 6" for deeper counters, so I guess that's a wash :-).

OK everyone -- thanks in part to your overwhelming support, we had them move it forward. Here's what it looks like now. SO much better. Thanks for all the advice!

Yay! Looking great!