It looks like 48 inch wouldnt go to the ceiling anyway, and a very large moulding would have to be put there which may not look so great. I would go with the 42 and leave the space up above. It appears that 42 would put it even with the top of door frame and the windows, which would look nicer.

The 48" cabinets leave a 6.5" gap for molding. Good point about 42" aligning with window and door opening - hadn't realized that.

You're going to be spending a lot of money and still end up with a kitchen that is not new looking. Look into a full gut - it probably won't cost much more. Those countertops should not dictate the entire project - tail wagging the dog.

Unfortunately the budget for a complete gut is just not there. I think it will look completely different with the change in cabinetry and flooring. Also replacing window above sink, changing paint and will do a backsplash

I realize you didn't ask this :) but I would consider the gut as well. It would be great if you could replace the lower cabinets with all drawers and also tweak the layout so that the island isn't blocking the refrigerator. It sounds like you're making aesthetic improvements--I don't think your kitchen looks that bad, and I would consider living with it and saving a bit longer to afford the functional improvements as well.

All that said, of course those trade-offs are very personal, where the face-lift may work best for your situation--just sharing another perspective.

Back to your question: I don't think the 48" stacked cabinets would look bad. I don't have an aesthetic preference for cabinets to the ceiling, though I do like that it prevents dust from accumulating. I would expect quite a large price difference for 48" stacked cabinets with glass compared to the 42" uppers, and would probably just go with the 42" uppers.

How tall are your ceilings? Did I miss that part? If you go with the 48" cabinets, assuming the ceilings are 9'0, you'd have 6" above which is the perfect amount for a riser and some crown molding. That would be my vote. 42" cabinets and you'll have to have a much larger riser or leave an open gap above.

I think it will look completely different with the change in cabinetry and flooring

It may make it look different but it won't improve the efficiency of the kitchen layout with the island being a barrier.

Don't waste your money on this. Either gut it or leave it alone.

Thank you mama goose! Great illustration. I understand what some of you are saying gut wise. I don’t know how to emphasize the budget for all new cabinets and countertops is just not there, also not likely to grow and save anytime soon. The amount we have is a one time gift. My layout is functional for me. We have lived in this home for almost 5 years and I have never even thought about a change in layout. Plus given the space in the kitchen there are not that many options. I really like and utilize our island a lot as prep space. Really just trying to see if the 42” would be good or pay a little extra for 48”. Thanks for all the responses.

I can understand your thought to the 48” cabinets, but in mama goose’s mock-up, I don’t think cabinets to the ceiling look right in your space.

Are you going to change the range vent?

Unsure if changing vent hood. Played around with a couple options. If we did the 48” little uppers would have glass in doors and lighted.

Speaking just from personal preference, I think the 48" cabinets would look a little too top-heavy, so I would go with the 42s. Also, I'd rather not have cabinets so high that I couldn't get to the stuff on the top shelves. We have 36" uppers and MrsPandy can barely reach them.

Just a thought on the floors, since it doesn’t sound like you’re removing the base cabinets before redoing the floors, make sure to get a bit of extra flooring material. Otherwise, it may be difficult to find matching to patch if you ever rearrange your kitchen. We had that dilemma when we redid our kitchen, thankfully it was just on an outside edge and not under the island.

I would raise the cabinets a bit higher off the counter to end up with a smaller piece of molding IMO 6 “ molding in that small space is way too much. If that is tile floor and installed before the cabinets you are looking at a gut job anyway. I think the glass doors witll brighten up the space , make sure there are lights in them., A counter depth fridge would be nice to make the space feel bigger. Just remember that whatever you put in the glass cabinets needs to be tidy . IMO you need more storage so hopefully the new cabinets will give you that.Change the handles and knobs to stainless too

Most manufacturers don’t offer 48” single door cabinets due to the risk of warping.

I think that you may be surprised at the cost of the changes that you want to make. There is always more labor in attempting to integrate or modify the old with the new.

Labor is the most expensive part. Your budget would not have to increase exponentially for much more to actually be replaced as a gut. You are already planning the most expensive route.

If this isn’t full DIY, you should explore the cost differences for the suggested gut.

Although the 36" uppers with 12" glass cabinets on top would be pretty, they're not really going to increase your storage space since you won't be able to put anything in the glass cabinets that isn't decorative. I would consider doing the 42" and using the money you save to add as many rollout shelves as possible to the lower cabinets to increase storage and to add ease of access. Good luck with your remodel!

If you're going white on the cabinets, go to the ceiling. Those who complain that the upper stacked cabinets are hard to reach and useless forget that the empty space above the cabinets is useless AND an invitation to clutter and a dust catcher. I agree with Patricia's idea to raise the uppers a bit to end up with a smaller crown.

You're talking about spending thousands of dollars on a kitchen that doesn't need any work and won't look much different after you write all the checks.

What's the point?

As momma goose's picture shows, it will be great. Keeping in your budget is the right thing to do. Go for it

The thing is, it is not a budget approach. Or even close to being fiscally responsible. Meshing new and old is the most labor intensive, most expensive, most regretted, approach there is.

Keep the existing uppers. Add a second set of 18" high cabinets above them in glass and add 6" crown with a fascia molding to the ceiling. This is a richer and more unique approach.

tklumann, have you decided what you're going to do?

Thank you everyone for all the feedback. We have not made any firm decisions but have rethought our plans. The flooring is still happening (flooring does not run under cabinetry in our home). We have decided to re-visit the idea of just painting out the cabinetry and maybe doing something to build up the upper cabinets. In the end we weren’t looking to gut and it was more meant to be a cosmetic upgrade as I don’t love the outdated tile and honey oak. I will make sure to post a pic once we make a final decision and complete the work.

A professional grade conversion varnish averages 7-9K for cabinets. It’s a lot of work. And that does not count a custom cabinet maker to create cabinets to place on top of those that actually manage to match the doors. Because you cannot do an entitely different door profile there. That’s another 4-6K. New counters, 5-7K. New lighting, including adding the new cans needed, 3-5K. New sink, faucet, and pulls, 1-3K.

Low 20K, high 30K. For a refresh. And that doesn’t include the flooring portion that you have in another budget, or new paint for the room.

In case people are curious about numbers- if I wanted to do the original plan (replace with 42” uppers, including replacing pantry cabinet around fridge & reface bottom) total was 16k. The build up I had seen on a different page was not for small cabinets (I will include pic) so no new doors needed. About 6k for varnish quality paint with new pulls/hinges. Not touching lighting, counters, sink.

Here is option 2 we are debating doing something similar

6K would be VERY low for that option. Better check past work in person, and check licenses and insurance. And the exact products chosen. That’s the price of an unlicensed guy slapping on housepaint over poorly done out of square boxes.