How much space between your upper and lower cabinets ?
vivianii
16 years ago
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inmydreams
16 years agoUser
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Help!! Spacing between upper-lower cabints, etc.
Comments (17)18" is standard and you should try to not go much less than that..for both your sake and for resale (if you plan to sell in the next 2 or 3 years). To determine what is the minimum spacing you need: (1) Measure the tallest appliance you will be using on your counter. Note I said using, not storing. (2) Then, add 1/4". This is the minimum spacing you should have b/w your countertop and the bottom of the light rail on your upper cabinets. Why "using" and not "storing"? When you are working on your counters, you want to have the entire depth available to you, not just for the deliberate placing of an appliance but also to be able to move it around to get it out of your way, to better place it, etc. If you think about it, you only have about 12" or 13" of clear space on your counter (in front of the uppers)--if you have standard 12" uppers. If you have deeper, say 15", uppers then you further reduce that clear space to 9" or 10". Can't reach past the 1st shelf in your uppers? Invest in a small step stool. Many here have them. They can be stored in a variety of ways. People here have been very creative about finding places for one. Toekick drawer, build a narrow cabinet to put it in (e.g., if you have 4" or 5" filler anywhere, like b/w the refrigerator & wall, put in a narrow cabinet instead and store the stool there), in a pantry, etc. If you plan to sell in less than 5 years, then you probably should consider resale as well. Anything much less than 18" would cause me to reconsider...it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker if there was somewhere I could use, for example, my mixer, but it would definitely be a big negative....See MoreHelp! How much space is between your upper cabinets and counter?
Comments (29)Mine are only 11.5! We re-used our 80 year old cabinets (all new insides and refinished) and in 1927 when they built houses, that's what they did. The downside -- very few appliances will fit under, but that's alright with me because I want them put away off the counter. The toaster and the Breville convection oven both fit (the Breville, just barely). The upside -- the plates and dishes inside are very easy to reach. I'm 5'3". Now 11 would be way too low for most people but going lower than the standard 18 can have its benefits....See Moredistance between upper and lower cabinets
Comments (13)Most of mine are 18 - one is 16 1/2 I think. The shorter one is related to the microwave being on a shelf - so it could be lower - the lower cabinetry was lowered a bit too but the space in between is still a bit shy of the 18. The shorter space is where I keep my coffee maker, grinder, paper towel. Otherwise I don't have much on my counters though I do have a small TV in a different area. The shorter space is working fine for me but I think you do have to carefully consider what you're going to want on your counters. I've been looking at new coffee makers and some of those babies are quite tall - probably too tall for my shorter space. On a side note, I have 42" tall upper cabinets so lots of space I can't reach even at 5'5". I keep a little turtle stool under my sink (folded takes very little space) so I have something within easy reach when I need to get to the top shelves....See Morelimited space between counter and upper cabinet
Comments (12)Shannon_WI I'm not worried about appliance usage or storage as I don't own a coffee maker and the mixer is always stored away. I have a huge counter top with no uppers that will be used for most prep. The current ceiling is very dropped and the contractor has already looked at what we can do to raise it - that is where I get the 2-3 inch drop for electrical work and lighting. There is no other way to run an electrical line through the concrete ceiling. I am, however, afraid you may be right that the 15 1/2 inches is too low but I really don't want to spend a fortune on cabinets I don't really like just over a couple of inches. I hope someone can help me think way outside the box to make something work. I find the 18 inch rule to actually have the cabinets hung too high (currently mine are at 17 inches and I think they are a bit high) What is the lowest you recommend I go?...See Moregizmonike
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