7’ High kitchen ceiling

8 years ago

I have a 1980’s kitchen that needs to be remodeled. At the bare minimum, it needs new cabinets, countertops, appliances and floor as things are falling apart. The ceiling is at 7’. It was dropped to accommodate the plumbing from the upstairs bathrooms.

It’s been recommended that we raise it to 8’ for resale value. Personally the 7’ height doesn’t bother me except it makes finding light fixtures that people won’t walk into a challenge. The floor joists in the ceiling are 2x8. They really should be 2x10, so it’s not just a matter of raising the ceiling...it’s sistering 2x10’s onto the 2x8’s and running a band around the perimeter of the room for the new joists to rest on.

Is it really worth the trouble & expense to raise the ceiling? I’m leaning to not raising it but would appreciate other opinions.

Featured Answer

shepcarlin
Original Author

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Sure thing. We ended up not raising the ceiling. We talked with a real estate agent who said we wouldn't get our moneys worth out of it. Attached a picture. We did recessed LED lighting and it's been great. Since I'm short anyway I would have never taken advantage of the extra height, haha. The contractor we spoke with said he'd only be able to give us an extra 10" in height due to the dropped plumbing and that we have 2 x 6 joists instead of 2 x 8. Can't run holes for plumbing through the 2 x 6 joists...ruins the stability. So it would have been a lot of money for not a lot of height. I

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Comments (20)

PRO
Cindy Sherman, CKBD
8 years ago
What’s the estimated bump in value for raising the ceilings & renovating the space? What do the comps in the area have (84” or 96” ceilings)? How long until you plan on selling? .. many other questions to ask yourself and weigh the answers vs your budget.
dan1888
8 years ago
One possible option if you don't raise the ceiling- - - recessed lighting should be easier in your redesign. An exhaust line for a hood should be easier too.
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shepcarlin
Original Author
8 years ago
I don’t really know what the estimated value is for bumping the ceiling up. We don’t plan to sell anytime soon. I had one contractor swear up & down that there are many 7’ high ceilings in this area. He gave off bad vibes and his quote was $10,000 more than other quotes I received that included raising the ceiling.

It’s an option that maybe later we come back and raise it. Right now my main concern is making the space functional and aesthetically pleasing while not spending an arm & a leg.
Anna S
8 years ago
What is the building code for your area? You want to ensure that 7’ meets code, which is a much bigger issue for resale than visuals.
writersblock (9b/10a)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Where is 7' against code, A? Just curious because I've never heard of that.

I wouldn't sweat the 7' unless it's somehow bizarre in your area, shepcarlin, which seems unlikely. I myself have 7' ceilings in the bathrooms because of the A/C ducting, and I've been in very expensive bayfront condos in Miami which had the ceilings lowered to 7-1/2 ft, just so the developer could squeeze in an extra floor when he converted a former rental with 8' ceilings. They sold anyway.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
8 years ago
I have no idea how you would raise the ceiling in this space without it affecting the whole space above it , you will still have to have room for the upstairs plumbing , I would get some more info and IMO will not be cheap. That kitchen needs a redo for sure and tons of people in the world live with 84” ceilings with no problem.I guess if you bought the house and the inspector did not flag the ceiling height as an issue it might not be one in your area.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
Recessing lighting is imperative. I would not have anything that visually makes the ceiling appear lower. Is there any way to raise part of the ceiling to create a tray ceiling detail. We see lots of those here in Florida in kitchens.
felizlady
8 years ago
Where would the plumbing be moved to and how much would that cost? What space would be gained for headroom? Those are the questions to ask a qualified professional licensed plumbing contractor.
deegw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
My husband is 6'4" and no matter how nice your kitchen is, we could never buy your house. Is it worth $XX to raise the ceilings and not alienate a certain percentage of the buying population? Only you can answer that question.
shepcarlin
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks to everyone so far who has posted. It’s funny...the ceiling doesn’t really bother me (I’m 5’4”) nor my husband (he’s 6’4”). I just know it’s not really the norm to have such a short ceiling. I’m just having a hard time justifying the cost of raising it just to attract a future owner. We really don’t plan to move anytime soon. But if the consensus is it really should be raised because it is that much of an oddity, well, I guess I need to take a hard look at our budget.
writersblock (9b/10a)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Wait. You say you're fine with it the way it is, you have no plans to sell, but you're going to look into spending tens of thousands of dollars because a few people on an internet forum told you to? How many of the people here live in your house to be affected by the ceiling height?

Maybe you should read this:

https://www.curbed.com/2018/3/7/17087588/home-renovation-unnecessary-mcmansion-hell-wagner
shepcarlin
Original Author
8 years ago
@writersblock-that’s a great article, I actually read it over the weekend. No, I wouldn’t just spend extra $$$ because an Internet forum told me too. I’m talking to others also and will take everything in account before doing anything. If it’s a good investment, it is a possibility. It’s also a real easy budget cut not to raise the ceiling. I’m just gathering opinions but in the end it’s what we think is best.
writersblock (9b/10a)
8 years ago
Good, shepcarlin. Whew.
wjm1973
4 years ago
Shepcarlin - Would you mind letting us know what you decided? We're having the exact same process and would love to understand your perspective now you're (presumably) done with your renovation. Thank you!
bmorepanic
4 years ago
If you sister 2x8s with 2x8s, the resulting 2 ply structure exceeds the allowable floor loading of a 2x10 by more than 30%. Stop thinking about 2x10s.
cheri127
4 years ago
I think you made the right choice. We recently moved and looked at many houses built in the 50s that had 7'3" ceilings (Philadephia suburbs) so it wouldn't be so unusual around here. Not everyone will want a home with low ceilings but there are many who wouldn't mind. Your kitchen looks very nice.
shepcarlin thanked cheri127
Yvonne Martin
4 years ago
My kitchen ceilings are 7' and no one has commented. When we bought the house there was a ceiling fan that was a total mistake. Once it was removed the height is fine.
wjm1973
4 years ago
Looks great - Congratulations and thank you!!
dollhouse0
last year
Question for original poster and others who have 7 ft ceiling in kitchen- did your kitchen get very hot while cooking and if yes, anyway you alleviated that?