I agree that it’ll get really dusty there with the transoms ... I like when cabinets are high or at least look high. Do as high as you feel comfortable with and then do a crown molding to finish it off...

I'd drop the kitchen ceiling to 9'. Maybe 10' max, but 9' ceiling in a kitchen is ideal. An 11' ceiling in a kitchen creates issues, not just the cabinetry heights you mentioned, but lighting as well. You need task lighting in a kitchen, and trying to get that with 11' ceiling heights is more challenging.

I agree, Miranda33, I originally had it at 10 feet, 11 feels excessive. It created issues with the upstairs, though, so ended up having to keep it at 11.

JuneKnow - interesting, I hadn’t considered soffits. I think this might be a good alternative. Thank you!

You can still drop it to 9' or 10'. My ceilings downstairs were all built to be 10' but I dropped the ceilings in my hallways and bathroom to 9'.

How tall are you and why do you want eleven feet tall ceilings?

We just did a reno-addition and raised our ceiling from 9' to 10' in the new kitchen and family room. We chose to do a tray ceiling (soffits) dropped down to 9' around the kitchen because I wanted cabinets to stop at that height. It works well for the perimeter lighting also. Since the kitchen is between a dining room with a vaulted ceiling and the family room, the tray gives the space a nice visual separation...and it made the ceiling height change from vault to 10' flat flow well. My husband is a GC and has incredible 3D vision...he saw all of this coming together...I needed framing and drywall to see it, ha!

I have 11 foot ceilings in my new home with one wall in the kitchen that has upper cabinets. The ceiling has a fur down and crown was added.

I hope this helps you at least visualize. I think it looks fine.

IMO 11’ ceilings are overkill and waste huge amounts of heating and cooling $$$ for no benefit. 10’ ceilings are IMO max and take the cabinets to the top the added storage is great and the look is awesome with 10’ ceilings.

Riverrat1 - Thank you! I think it looks really nice, too :)

I agree that 11 ft ceilings are unnecessary in the kitchen, but I really wanted that in the main living areas (it’s what I have now, and don’t want to go shorter since I’ve gotten used to it). The way it’s set up, I think it would be weird to drop just the kitchen portion, so I’d rather stay with 11ft for continuity. Probably overkill for sure, though!

Nooooo! Don't do soffits. They usually looked slapped on and are not aesthetically pleasing. The only reason to have a soffit is if there is absolutely no other way to hide HVAC or other mechanical equipment. But since you're building a home from scratch, this shouldn't be a problem.

I love high ceilings in kitchens and I think your clerestory window idea is a good one. Will be a great source of light. I'd have the bottom sill of that window at about 9 ft. You could then do a stacked cabinet arrangement where the top cabinets have glass panels and a lit from within for display. Your architect should be able to show you elevations of that cabinetry in a style that works with the rest of your home. But here are a couple of examples of stacked cabinets; the first photo also has clerestory windows:

Seneca Lifestyle Home · More Info

Hillsborough · More Info

Mountainside Oasis · More Info

Have the architect map out the wall. This is 11' with transom windows (another hidden by fixture) set low enough to clear the overhang soffit with cabinets at 8'.

2018-19 El Dorado Hills Ridgeview Village · More Info

Everything we do beyond basic shelter is "unnecessary."

Our kitchen ceiling is 8' (the rest of the downstairs is 9') and the lower ceiling in one room works well because the rooms are separated by cases openings.

Another option might be a cove, so the wall curves up above the cabinets to meet the ceiling.

If you do a soffit I'd only consider it if it looks like an extension of trim on top of the cabinets. See this photo: https://www.houzz.com/photos/mill-valley-classic-cottage-victorian-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~1357985

Here's another example: https://www.houzz.com/photos/our-projects-kitchens-contemporary-kitchen-phvw-vp~699566

I recently completed this kitchen with a tray ceiling in order for the cabinetry to be in better proportion.

Not all the cabinets need to be 11' high. Allude to the height but don't overwhelm the room. What style is the kitchen? See photos.