Open Up Your Kitchen Space with Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets
Have you ever wished you could utilize all that vacant space between your existing kitchen cabinets and ceiling? Installing cabinets that reach your ceiling is a dramatic way to open up and maximize your kitchen's storage potential.
Floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinets can transform the look and functionality of your cooking space. But is this trend right for your home? Here we'll walk through the key pros and cons to help you decide.
When Ceiling Height Cabinets Work Best
While stunning, super tall cabinets won't work in every kitchen. Here are a few factors to consider:
Kitchens with High Ceilings
To accommodate cabinets that scrape the ceiling, you'll need ceilings that are at least 9 feet tall. Standard ceiling height is typically 8 feet. Open concept kitchens in modern homes often have higher ceilings, making them ideal candidates.
Kitchen Storage Needs
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets shine in kitchens needing serious storage. The extra vertical space allows you to fit more shelves, drawers, and organizing solutions. This approach helps maximize every inch.
Kitchen Aesthetic Goals
In addition to adding storage, ceiling height cabinets make a dramatic style statement. The wall of cabinetry draws the eyes up, creating a modern, sleek look. Visually, it can make small kitchens appear larger.
Benefits of Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets
From a functionality and visual standpoint, installing your cabinets high as they can go offers several advantages:
More Storage Space
The prime benefit is gaining extra cubic feet of storage space. Depending on cabinet dimensions, you may gain 1-2 feet of vertical storage per unit. For example, adding 10 floor-to-ceiling cabinets can equal 20+ cubic feet of additional capacity.
This provides needed room to store and organize all your kitchen items without feeling cramped. You maximize every bit of available vertical space.
Easier Access to Items
The downside of upper cabinets is that items on top shelves get buried. Counter-depth, floor-to-ceiling cabinets combined with pull-out shelves bring even your highest stuff within easy reach.
Greater Visual Impact
In addition to storage, ceiling height cabinetry becomes an eye-catching focal point. Drawing your gaze upwards makes kitchens feel open and airy. It also creates a modern, sleek aesthetic.
Especially in small kitchens, the wall of tall cabinets gives the illusion of more space. This approach can make an outdated galley kitchen look bright and fresh.
Drawbacks of Ceiling Height Cabinets
While stunning, super tall cabinets also come with a few potential downsides to factor in:
Require High Ceilings
Again, to install cabinets reaching your ceiling, you need adequate room. Ceilings at least 9 feet high are best to accommodate the cabinets without major renovations.
Those with standard 8-foot ceiling heights won't have enough space without raising the ceiling. This may limit options in older homes.
Higher Costs
More cabinets mean higher costs for materials and professional installation. You may also need to modify ceiling heights, walls, plumbing, or electrical wiring. All these factors drive up your kitchen renovation budget.
Difficult to Reach Items
A potential downside of super tall cabinets is struggling to reach items stored on top shelves. Without modifications, keeping everything organized can be tricky.
Solutions like pull-out shelves, cabinet depth, and step stools or ladders help ensure items stay accessible.
Tips for Integrating Tall Cabinets
If maximizing vertical storage appeals to you, here are tips for successfully working floor-to-ceiling cabinets into your kitchen:
- Proper installation is crucial to support the weight distribution
- Include extra lighting fixtures to keep the space bright
- Glass cabinet doors add visibility and prevent a closed-in feeling
- Pull-out shelves and ladders improve access to top shelves
Alternatives to Gaining Storage
If your kitchen won't accommodate ceilings at least 9 feet high, all hope for more space isn't lost. Consider these more accessible options:
- Wall-mounted cabinets can go higher than base cabinets
- Pantry cabinetry adds storage without ceiling limitations
- Angled cabinets offer a middle ground to reach higher
Floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinets clearly maximize storage potential while making a dramatic style statement. For kitchens with adequate ceiling height, it can be an effective approach to gain function and form.
But drawbacks like cost and needing a step stool for top shelves should also be factored in. Ultimately, deciding if installing your cabinets sky-high makes sense depends on your space, lifestyle needs, and budget.