For over 5 decades, the vast majority of homes have had an average ceiling height that has not exceeded 8 feet (96 inches). But this is not really the standard anymore. Homes with higher ceilings are more common today. You can now find homes with ceiling heights exceeding 9 feet and reaching 10 feet. The presence of such heights has led to the creation of high ceiling kitchen cabinets. The main purpose of these modern additions is to make maximum use of the extra wall space that stretched up to the high ceiling.
If you have a high ceiling in your home and want to extend your kitchen cabinets, this article will shed some light on the details of installing these types of cabinets.
An Overview Of Tall Ceiling Cabinets
It is not a secret that houses in the olden days had high ceilings. Back then, this was necessary for ventilation purposes. But currently, this style is strongly returning to the interior design scene to create more beautiful interiors. For instance, higher ceilings make any room look bigger.
So, a kitchen with high-ceiling cabinets allows you to have better storage space. It can also give your kitchen a sense of Victorian beauty. In addition to the extra space, you can benefit from high cabinets by covering the empty walls. In the case of a high ceiling, standard cabinets will typically leave at least 4–6 feet of bare walls. Bare walls do not really look attractive. No need to mention that it will be an open invitation for dust build-up to accumulate over time, which leads to tarnishing the beautiful looks of your kitchen. Covering them with kitchen cabinets can make things more vibrant and appealing.
But there are many things to keep in mind if you want to fill the blank space between existing cabinets and your tall ceiling. For example, your personal design preferences and existing architectural details in your ceiling play a significant role in making this decision. Also, the cost is not something to underestimate.
Major Solutions For High Kitchen Ceilings
Modern cabinets for high-ceiling kitchens come in various designs and styles. This is why you find solutions for various tastes and budgets. Here are the most common types of kitchen cabinets for a tall ceiling:
Cabinets With Double-Stacked Designs
This type of kitchen cabinet is a pretty common solution for extending kitchen cabinets. Staked design is exactly what the name suggests. It is all about placing another row of kitchen cabinets right above the existing upper row. You can opt for this solution if you have a ceiling that is at least 9 feet tall. Otherwise, the extra row might not fit or might be of a really compact size that won’t do you any good.
The Bulkhead Design Above The Existing Cabinetry
This falls into the category of creative and less costly cabinetry solutions. Many people refer to bulkheads as interior soffits. This solution worked perfectly in older homes as a clever way to hide pipelines and ductwork. The concept of a kitchen bulkhead depends on using the lower part of the kitchen ceiling as a step that connects one part of the empty space to another. Currently, bulkhead designs have good-looking framing. Using bulkhead designs is not an exclusive thing in kitchens. In fact, you can find such framed work in bathrooms and living rooms. A bulkhead above your kitchen cabinets can spare you the hassle of dusting and tidying high areas above the last row of cabinets.
In addition to this high functionality, modern bulkheads add a beautiful touch to the overall appearance of your kitchen.
Unlike some designs of kitchen cabinets for high ceilings, which make a kitchen look less spacious, bulkheads can give an impression of a bigger and wider kitchen space. Also, modern bulkheads look like a built-in addition to the kitchen. You will appreciate the natural look offered by bulkheads. Another great perk of kitchen bulkheads is that you can use them to add any decorative elements you desire. For instance, you can use a bulkhead to hang artificial climbing plants. Also, you might add a different paint colour to this built-in addition to create a visual contrast.
Things To Consider Before Going For High-Ceiling Cabinets
With all the benefits that come with installing high ceiling kitchen cabinets, you should know that it is not really easy to achieve. It is important to consider the following factors thoroughly:
Cost And Long-Term Investment
You already know that kitchen cabinets are the priciest item in any kitchen. There are costs for glass parts, panels, and installation fees. Also, there is a cost for altering an existing cabinet box. All this can end up costing a huge sum, especially if you are remodelling the entire cabinets. But you can consider these costs an investment in the overall value of your home. Such a high-end investment will pay off when you resell your house. It will definitely increase the value of your unit when you put it back on the market.
Accessibility
Another important factor is that these cabinets are typically difficult to access and use easily. Their height is going to be a real challenge. But you can overcome this difficulty if you have a step stool on demand Also, you can use the additional cabinet row for storing seasonal items that won’t be needed constantly.
Ceiling Details
Beams and other decorative details can become permanent fixtures on your ceiling. Even the slimmest details will consume some of the ceiling space. So, if your ceiling is already occupied, it is better to measure the blank area to make an informed decision. Also, some ceiling details won’t look that great when you extend your cabinets all the way to the ceiling.
Final Thoughts
Installing kitchen cabinets for high ceilings seems like a reasonable choice for kitchen remodelling and making full use of any blank space between the last row of cabinets and a tall ceiling. This solution works best for any kitchen ceiling that is taller than 9 feet. If you are concerned about the cost, you can find other design options such as bulkheads. But if you want the ultimate appearance, you should go for double-stacked designs.
