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Pros and Cons of Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling
The pros and cons of kitchen cabinets to the ceiling come down to this: cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling give you more storage, a finished, built-in look and no dusty gap on top, and the main thing to plan for is reaching the top shelves. On a standard 8-foot ceiling, 42-inch wall cabinets reach the ceiling on their own. On 9- and 10-foot ceilings, you get there by stacking a short wall cabinet on top of the main run or by adding crown molding.
If you’ve ever wondered why your kitchen cabinets have an extra space between them and the ceiling, the chances are that you’ve also wondered what your other options are. The simple answer is that there are many options at your disposal!
In the early 2000s, many kitchen designers installed soffits, also known as furr downs, in kitchens to remove this ceiling gap. These are sections of drywall or plaster that lower the ceiling down to the tops of cabinets. Soffits once had a true purpose (hiding ducts, electrical wiring, and plumbing), but in recent years, they’ve been empty and served only as decoration. That being said, the trends in kitchen design are changing, and soffits are on their way out the door.
Nowadays, the most popular option for getting rid of that ceiling gap is one of the simplest: having one’s cabinets extended to the ceiling, in one way or another. In this blog, we’ll explain the different ways you can extend your cabinets and the pros and cons of kitchen cabinets to the ceiling.
Which Wall Cabinets Reach Your Ceiling
Whether your kitchen cabinets should go to the ceiling or not often comes down to simple math. Base cabinets are 34 1/2 inches tall, and a countertop about 1 1/2 inches thick brings the work surface to 36 inches. With the standard 18-inch backsplash, wall cabinets (or kitchen cupboards) start 54 inches off the floor. Whatever is left between 54 inches and your ceiling is the space your wall cabinets, stacked cabinets and molding fill.
| Ceiling height | Space above 54″ | Cabinets to the ceiling | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft (96″) | 42″ | 42-inch wall cabinets | 36-inch wall cabinets plus crown molding |
| 9 ft (108″) | 54″ | 42-inch wall cabinets plus 12-inch stacked cabinets | 36-inch wall cabinets plus 15-inch stacked cabinets and crown molding |
| 10 ft (120″) | 66″ | 42-inch wall cabinets plus 24-inch stacked cabinets | 42-inch wall cabinets plus 18-inch stacked cabinets and crown molding |
Ceilings are rarely perfectly level, so measure the height at several points along the wall and plan for the lowest one. A scribe or crown molding covers the small, uneven gap that is left at the top. For every standard cabinet height and depth, see our kitchen cabinet sizes guide, and for the base-and-counter side of the math, our guide to standard counter height.
Why is There a Gap Between My Cabinets and the Ceiling?
As you’re embarking on your kitchen remodel for the sake of that cabinet-to-ceiling gap, you’re likely wondering why the gap even exists in the first place if no one likes them. Truthfully, there are numerous reasons why the standard kitchen will include a gap beneath the ceiling.
The primary reason for this ceiling gap is that the standard height of ceilings has changed more rapidly than the standard size of kitchen cabinets. In the Victorian era, affluent homes had an average of 13-foot ceilings, but the rise in mass housing developments following World War II led to the standard ceiling height of eight feet tall. This standard was based on an eight-foot-long stud used for framing the home. This lasted until the 1980s when open living plans became more popular and became standard again at the end of the 20th century. Currently, the standard ceiling height for a home’s first floor is nine or ten feet tall, and the second-floor standard is the traditional eight feet.
Despite the variations in ceiling heights over the years, standard cabinet sizes have not changed nearly as much. Stock cabinets do not naturally reach the ceiling of a nine or ten-foot tall kitchen, leaving a gap of either one or two feet. Rather than creating custom cabinets for every new home, many builders opt to install cabinets that don’t fit the kitchen perfectly.
Furthermore, there are aesthetic reasons for ceiling gaps. In homes with ten to twelve-foot ceilings, cabinets all the way up to the ceiling can make a kitchen seem cluttered or overwhelming. While this isn’t an issue for some homeowners, homebuilders tend to avoid this practice so that a home can appeal to a larger audience.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling and With a Gap
Now that you know more about the history of kitchen ceilings and cabinets, we’ll explain some of the pros and cons of kitchen cabinets to the ceiling and cabinets with a gap above them.
Ceiling-Height Cabinets
Pros
Extra Storage
Adding small upper cabinets to your existing cabinets or installing tall cabinets that reach the ceiling will give you more space to store any kitchen items that you don’t use as frequently, which will eliminate clutter in your more commonly used cabinets.
Easier to Clean
By getting rid of the extra space above your cabinets, you’ll never have to clean any dust off of the top of the cabinets again.
Visually Appealing
Ceiling-height cabinets tend to make a kitchen look finished and high-end. If you decide to install cabinets with a glass door, you have a great opportunity to put your prettiest, least-used pots, pans, and kitchen tools on display at the top of your kitchen.
Cons
Less Easy to Access
Ceiling-height cabinets are harder to reach, especially in kitchens with ceilings ten feet tall or higher. If you decide to extend your cabinets to the ceiling, keep a step stool or even a ladder handy when you need to reach something from the top shelves.
More Cabinets = More Cost
Because these cabinets are considered additional to the standard kitchen cabinet set, they add to the cost of your order. Standard wall cabinet heights from 12 to 42 inches fit most gaps, so you rarely need custom cabinetry, and our RTA cabinets cost up to 40% less than big-box pricing.
Can be Overwhelming
While ceiling-height cabinets can make a large kitchen feel regal and finished, a smaller kitchen looks best with a light color or glass doors on the top row of ceiling cabinets, which keeps the wall bright and open.
Gap Cabinets
Pros
Display Space
The space on top of your cabinets is perfect for plants, themed trinkets, and decorative pots and pans. Without being limited by cabinet doors, these items can truly stand out.
Easy Access
Because none of your cabinets reach above eight feet, almost everything stored within them will be easily accessible.
Multiple Options
You can take up this space without adding extra cabinets. If the gap between the ceiling and your cabinets is small, you can install crown molding on the tops of the cabinets to make them feel more cohesive. You can also add a soffit, which can still be made to be trendy.
Cons
Accumulates Dust
The top of the cabinets is the perfect space to gather all the dust and grime from your kitchen. Luckily, it’s hard to see any of this dirt, but it’s still essential to keep it clean every once in a while.
Wasted Space
The gap above your cabinets could be used to hold various pots, pans, and china. If it’s not being utilized properly, it’s less overall space in your kitchen that can be used for storage.
Ways to Take Your Cabinets to the Ceiling
There are three common ways to close the gap, and you can combine them.
1. Taller Wall Cabinets
On an 8-foot ceiling, the simplest option is to choose 42-inch wall cabinets instead of 30- or 36-inch ones. They run from the 54-inch line straight to the ceiling, with no extra pieces.
2. Stacked Cabinets
On 9- and 10-foot ceilings, a row of short wall cabinets, usually 12 to 24 inches tall, sits on top of the main wall cabinets. Stacked cabinets are a popular place for glass doors, which add a display shelf and keep a tall wall from looking heavy. Our White Shaker wall cabinets, for example, come in heights from 12 to 42 inches, including glass-door options, so you can build the full height from one line. Browse every style in our wall cabinets collection.
3. Crown Molding
Crown molding finishes the top of the cabinets and closes a smaller gap, usually a few inches. It is also the classic way to make a run of 36-inch cabinets look taller on an 8-foot ceiling. Our White Shaker moulding range includes standard, cove, angle and inset crown profiles.
Tall pantry and oven cabinets can join a ceiling-height wall too. See our pantry cabinets for floor-to-ceiling storage options.
Standard and Ceiling-Height Cabinets at Buy Wholesale Cabinets
Whether you’ve decided that you want to extend your cabinets to the ceiling, leave the gap between your cabinets and the ceiling, or install a soffit or some form of decoration, Buy Wholesale Cabinets has something for you. With affordable prices and outstanding customer service for everyone, we can’t wait to help you with your next adventure in cabinetry.
White Shaker, one of our most popular lines, works well for a full-height wall, because white keeps a tall run of cabinets light and bright. Before you order a full wall, order a sample door to see the finish in your kitchen. Sample doors are the exception to our $2,000 minimum, and they ship free. For more layout and style ideas, browse Design Ideas & Inspiration.
Check out our catalog to see what we can offer you, and, if you see something you like, contact us with any questions. Our RTA cabinets ship flat in 7–10 business days nationwide, at up to 40% less than big-box pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling or not?
Kitchen cabinets that go to the ceiling are worth it if you want more storage, a finished, built-in look and no dust on top of the cabinets. A gap can make sense if you want display space above the cabinets or you prefer every shelf within easy reach. On an 8-foot ceiling, 42-inch wall cabinets reach the ceiling with no extra pieces.
What size wall cabinets go to an 8-foot ceiling?
On an 8-foot (96-inch) ceiling, 42-inch wall cabinets reach the ceiling. Wall cabinets start about 54 inches off the floor: a 36-inch counter height plus an 18-inch backsplash. The remaining 42 inches matches a 42-inch wall cabinet. With 36-inch cabinets, crown molding fills the space above.
How do you take cabinets to the ceiling on a 9-foot ceiling?
On a 9-foot (108-inch) ceiling, combine 42-inch wall cabinets with a 12-inch stacked cabinet on top, or use 36-inch wall cabinets with a 15-inch stacked cabinet and crown molding. Measure the ceiling at several points and plan for the lowest one.
What do you do with the space above kitchen cabinets?
You can fill it with stacked cabinets, close it with crown molding or a soffit, or leave it open as display space for plants and decorative pieces. Filling it with cabinets adds storage and removes the ledge that collects dust.
