8' ceilings: 36' or 30' top cabinets?

14 years ago

Alright, so I have to make a decision on this TONIGHT. I'm buying a new house and having the cabinets upgraded. It was one thing I just didn't like about the house and figured I might as well spend the money now vs. later, especially as it's going to be a lot cheaper to do it through the builder.

So, here are the current 30" cabinets:

The new ones will be shaker style, dark cherry-like finish on maple.

I have 30" cabinets now in my old place, and I just feel like they don't hold enough. Also, I don't think the big gap looks right in that kitchen. Also, I would NEVER put things on top of the cabinets, it's just not my style; I like things to be clean and simple.

With 36", the gap would surely be small. I can't drop the cabinets at all because of the 72" fridge that will under the cabinets. The kitchen installer suggested I not do 36" as I wouldn't have much space between the molding and the ceiling. I could always fill that gap in the future if it looked weird?

What do you all think? I'm leaning towards the 36" just because I don't think the 30" is very pleasing aesthetically nor spacious enough. But I don't want to make a big mistake either! I also thought about staggering - maybe the cabinets to the left of the sink, above the stove, and above the fridge are taller but the rest are 30"?

Advice would be greatly appreciated!

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mkiv808
Original Author

14 years ago

That should read 36" or 30" in the subject line, not feet!

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mkiv808
Original Author
14 years ago
Also, might be inconsequential, but the new cabinets will also have a piece above the fridge that will be counter-depth vs. the recessed one in the pic.
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I think you'll get opinions all over the place. It really depends on your kitchen-- the size, the layout, the style, the light. We have a quite small kitchen and did the 39" cabinets with minimal molding. Since space is at a premium for us, we needed to get every inch of storage possible, so 36" cabinets with extra crown molding would certainly not accomplish that. We have cherry cabinets and a dark floor. We absolutely do not find our 39" cabinets cave-like or too towering. If anything, the taller cabinets make the room look bigger, the ceiling higher, than our previous 30" cabinets. I am not clear if Stacieann63's not liking her cabinets would be any different with 36" cabinets and a bigger crown - her dislike could be more to do with the cherry color, or that she is comparing it to her previous 10' ceiling kitchen. For us, aesthetically, a thick built-up 6" crown would weigh everything down in our small kitchen, and also would not go with our simple Shaker cabinet style and mid-century clean-lined home. We did choose Alaska White granite countertops which are quite light to balance the dark cherry. Regarding the comment about the space between the counter and the upper cabinets - the standard distance is 18"; undercabinet lighting typically takes up 2" of that 18". Though the newer LED strips are so small that the 2" allowance for lighting should probably be more like 1" for LED light strips (if you are thinking about undercabinet lighting at this point!). You could also have some of the cabinets with glass fronts if you are worried about taller cabinets looking heavy. A friend of mine did that with just three cabinets in her cherry kitchen, and it really makes everything look lighter. We considered doing that too, but DH didn't want that, and ours still looks great with all cherry doors. I would never choose shorter cabinets with bigger crown molding, but that's my taste, our home's storage needs, and our home's decor. Your decision should be based on those factors too.
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palimpsest
14 years ago
I did a couple of kitchens lately and went with 36" cabinets and then filled in the top 6" with a plain soffit in one instance and with a soffit and crown moulding in the other one.
doraville
14 years ago
I put in 36" cabs with filler and molding with an 8' ceiling. No regrets, but it can be hard to reach that last shelf. Not being in construction I can't tell you how you could handle those short shelves above the frig. Good luck
Buehl
14 years ago
8' ceilings with 36" cabinets + molding all the way to the ceiling for all but two cabinets...
idrive65
14 years ago
I'd get 36" if those were my only two choices. If you can get 39" even better. Mine are 42" but that's difficult with stock cabinets because there's little room for crown molding.
petepie1
14 years ago
I have 39" with simple molding & crown to the ceiling. I like the extra storage of the taller cabinets, so would also go with the 36" (if you can't get 39") and fill the 6" with molding.
rufinorox
14 years ago
here are my 36" cabinets with 8' ceiling.
lizziebethtx
14 years ago
I'm with everyone else...go with the 36" cabinets. I have 8 foot ceilings and I just installed 42" cabinets. I live in a contemporary house with lots of angles & straight lines and no crown moulding anywhere so I opted not to do it as I thought it would look out of place. It's the first time I've had cabinets in a kitchen with no crown but I love it in this space. I have shaker cabinets too. I think you will regret it if you go with the 30" cabinets.
dcfixerupper
14 years ago
Just had this conversation today regarding my kitchen. Definitely a waste to go with 30". I would do 36" or 39". We're doing 39/40 with the cabinets to the ceiling. If you have the option - you can always have the frame/doors lowered to allow room for fascia/soffit and crown while maximizing the storage -- e.g. put in a 42" or 39" cabinet with filler and crown to the ceiling.
mkiv808
Original Author
14 years ago
OK, I'm going with the 36" with a standard molding. I figure if I don't like the gap - I can always fix it with some different molding/trim. If I don't like the 30", I'm stuck with it.

Thanks for all the help!
eks6426
14 years ago
36" and then stack the molding to get you all the way to the ceiling. 39" might work too. I'd make sure you do molding so you can eliminate the gap.

8' ceilings: 36' or 30' top cabinets?

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8' ceilings: 36' or 30' top cabinets?

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