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Upper cabinet distance from window?

8 years ago

Is there a recommended minimum distance between an upper cabinet and a window? I have upper cabinets on the east wall of my kitchen. The only window is on the south wall. Right now, the front edge of the cabinet closest to the window is about 3" from the outside edge of the window trim. The cabinet is 12" deep.

I'm considering cabinets with inset doors, which will mean that the cabinet depth should be 13" or more. Is it going to look cramped (or otherwise bad) if the cabinet edge is closer to the window than 3"? I'm not worried about the cabinet door clearing the window; the fact that the door is inset should mean that the cabinet frame creates enough of an offset.

I'm thinking about enlarging the window by widening it toward the west side of the house, leaving the east wall cabinets where they are. (Storage is too limited in my tiny house to do without the upper cabinets). I'm considering whether, if I'm going to do that, I should move the east edge of the window over a few inches to avoid it looking crowded against the cabinets. Alternatively, if the cost of enlarging the window is too much, I'm wondering how bad a slightly deeper cabinet is going to look if it's 2" or closer to the window.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Jillius

8 years ago

You know, there are some people who are fine with the uppers right against the window trim. I am not one of them, and given your concerns, I don't think you're one of them either.

I see 3" of space and 4" of space between the uppers and windows thrown out a lot as standard, but I prefer more space than that. It's just nice when the window can really breathe and the light isn't being blocked at all by cabinets. Then the kitchen looks as if it fits well and easily in its space, making the space feel plenty big as opposed to inadequate.

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Comments (11)

Carrie B
8 years ago
I WISH I had more space, but how much, I can't tell you. I pretty much have no space. I didn't want to give up window size, and I didn't want to give up storage, so I ended up with a cramped up window. If I'd have known, I would have made my upper cabinets smaller.
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numbersjunkie
8 years ago
Interesting discussion. I have been pondering the same issue. My upper cabinets will be 15 deep, and now I have about 3 inches in the plan. But I'm not liking the idea of having such a thin strip of wall or tile going up the side between the trim and cabinet. I've been thinking about using really wide window trim to close the gap.
Wendy
8 years ago
I have the same issue, but with a hood. 3 inches is between window trim and hood. I could reduce the hood size and get 3 more inches. But, everything I've read here.....
catbuilder
8 years ago
I think the OP's situation is different that all of yours. The cabinets are on a different wall than the window. If you are standing in front of the cabinets, facing them, the window would be on the wall to your right, not in front of you.
flamingfish thanked catbuilder
Wendy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Oh....so, it's 3 inches between the front of the cabinet and the window? Something like this corner.....

Traditional Kitchen · More Info
Wendy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I went through my saved pics and found a few with a cabinet cornered with a window. The thing they all had in common....glass doors. It becomes almost a continuation of the window, rather than a crowded corner.

Park Slope Brownstone · More Info

Rooms Viewer | HGTV · More Info

Seaside Cottage · More Info

Crisp Architects · More Info
flamingfish thanked Wendy
flamingfish
Original Author
8 years ago
Wendy, you're right. The glass really does help make the corner look less cramped. I'd have to find someplace else to keep my extensive collection of mismatched plastic lids, though. Hmmmmm...
practigal
8 years ago
I would prefer a distance equal to half the depth of the upper...so if the upper is 12" at least 6" from the trim edge to the cabinet. Note that this is a preference, often times there is not space for this. I have also seen people put in small square cabinets with glass on two sides next to the window and it looks good but only offers functionality if you like to collect little things to display in the glass cabinet...
Wendy
8 years ago
I think that is a personal preference thing. I've never been one that thought that glass kitchen cabinets had to filled with collections or other pretty things. I've always thought that glass cabinets filled with kitchen stuff is pretty, since it is a kitchen. As long as it is neat, it's good.
Russ Barnard
8 years ago
I plan to have at least 12" between the window and the cabs. May end up with open shelves after 12" for a bit too, depends on how much room we end up with and storage. We want to hang a large wooden spoon and fork set, one on each side of the sink, that my grandmother left me;)

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