I know you were talking topless at some point. Have you checked at IKEAfans and all to see if there was a way to squeeze that extra six inches in? Maybe use cabinets that are meant for a different location? Maybe just giving up full extension? Because then you could just capture that wasted space on the lowers. I think you're going to have a reaching problem unless you're happy with a stepstool.

Your aisles will still be okay, right?

One reason I went for the island instead of a table is to have a deeper work counter somewhere. I wouldn't want to not have it.

We did the deeper cabinets with 15 inch uppers. I am 5' 2" and have no regrets. I love the extra space. I am able to put everything I use the most within easy reach, I use a step stool for the rest.

We did locally built custom cabinets, so our drawers are deeper also. I would still do it if the drawers couldn't be deeper. That extra counter space is so nice.

Ditto the 15'' uppers with 30'' lowers. Like them very much because I keep things out on the counterops and this way I have room for my canisters in the baking area and still enough room to roll out a piecrust.

There was just a thread on this same subject... my concern with the 30'' countertops (and being shorter, 5'3'') is reaching the light switches against the far wall. It's a stretch.

Plllog, I've quite mastered how the IKEAFANS but being that I'm purchasing their cabinets, you would be wise of me to do. The aisles will be OK still or I wouldn't even consider it. I don't think it would be worth the trade off to have to pull out the step stool every time I want something on the second shelf in the upper back. We'll have 2 casement windows that could also be quite the reach. Sounds like I should get some boxes out and see how these seemingly simple things are to do.

WhiteRiver, I don't doubt that they would be nice, but being these aren't custom cabinets, I wouldn't have the added luxury of really deep drawer and deeper uppers to go along with it. I could be "wasting space" while adding countertops.

Oldbat, was the thread regarding deeper cabinets w/o the drawers being fully utilized and a 12"ish upper. If so I wasn't able to find it but would appreciate the link. TIA.

I also want to have deeper countertops. My question is this: Do you actually make the cabinets 30" deep or just pull them away from the wall 6"? I would think it would up the cost of cabinetry significantly to have them made 30" deep. What do most people do? Right now I am using a 27" deep counter and that works for me being short and all. If you have uppers that come down to the counter, 30" would be nice.

Aloha- Since you have the island, I don't think you'll need the deep countertops elsewhere...especially if it's going to make it more difficult for you to reach the uppers. Just my two cents :)

Lavendar, necessity isn't so much the question as want and possibly better utilization of the space.

Quiltgirl, you got me to thinking that with the extra depth, I wouldn't be so opposed to bringing the upper cabinets down to the countertops. With the deeper bases, I would still have about 18" of counter in front of the cabinets. I would then have really easy access and additional upper cabinets since I would then stack them. Hmmm you've really opened up an option that I had laid to rest. Also yes to the answer regarding pulling out the base cabinets 6".

Another question was if I were to use a range instead of a cooktop, would I be able to further recess the range by 2" since I would have plenty of room for the additional space needed behind a slide in range. I would think then I'd only have the depth of the door and handle sticking out. The reason I opted out of the range was because of how far it was sticking out. I'd prefer the range opposed to a cooktop and wall ovens. I could even pull out the uppers another inch or two and have space for the MW inside of the cabinets. I'm liking this idea more and more.

QGirl, I like that idea! Except I always have too much junk on the counter and wouldn't be able to ever open my uppers if they were on the counter.

But Aloha, what about putting your 12" uppers just a few inches lower than standard? As long as you're not trying to shove a stand mixer under them, I betcha it won't be noticed by anyone. As far as ranges go, check the specs on the particular range. You can't stuff them back too far, but if you just want to get it so that only the oven door is out, that should be fine.

>With the deeper bases, I would still have about 18" of counter in front of the cabinets. I would then have really easy access

But would you? With the coffee maker, toaster and so on out there in that space? And what about opening the cabinet doors when there's work going on there?

The base cabinets on each side of my fridge are pulled out to 27" deep--countertop is 28.5". They're attached to two 'sistered(?)' 2x4s on the back wall, and 2x4 cleats on the floor. The 21" and 18" deep upper cabinets go to the counter--drawers on one side, and a microwave box on the other side, so I wanted some extra counter for landing space.

On the other side of the kitchen is a run of vintage cabinets that are more shallow than standard--22.5" deep with 24" counter. I traded space on one side for countertop on the other side.

I have a (low-end) range that is pulled out a couple of inches to be flush with the 28.5" countertop. I built a frame behind the stove top to fill in the gap--it makes a nice little shelf for S&P shakers.

We'll only have two 24" cabinets on either side (topLESS not top free).

We hardly put anything on our countertops. All small appliances are tucked away. I do realize that that we wouldn't be able to place anything in front of the cabinet but to me that would be a good thing. I'm concerned though if I'll feel like it's more closed in though with the cabinets going to the countertops. We like open, open, open.

Great thread! Aloha, why not consider lift-up, tambor or other garage-style doors at counter level? We don't want it all the way around the room, but we're thinking of doing the same thing in two corners: 30"-deep bases, 15"-deep uppers from counter to ceiling but with the first 18" (vertical) of uppers having lift-up doors to hide appliances, canisters, etc.. (We want more than the standard 12" between counter and upper to accommodate taller items.) To fori and writersblock's concerns: The lift-ups won't have the swing-out issues of regular doors (nor the same issues of shallow drawers between base and uppers, which I often see in "inspiration" magazines, but don't understand for the same reasons fori and weritersblock mention). When the lift-up is closed, 15" of counter in front. Open, it's 30" deep of counter space!

Link to thread with deeper upper cabinets :) -- includes pictures.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0212534925674.html?21