No, kitchen cabinets are not necessarily supposed to go to the ceiling. This is a matter of personal preference and design, and will largely depend on the available space, the look you want to achieve, and the style of cabinetry you plan to use.
A full-height design, where the cabinets extend all the way to the ceiling, is a common choice for a sleek, modern look, as it maximizes storage space and provides a cleaner, more seamless look. On the other hand, many people prefer to choose cabinets that leave some space between the cabinets and the ceiling, as this can provide a timeless visual appeal, as well as a place to add a decorative touch, such as molding or a cornice.
Ultimately, it depends on your individual style and design needs, so it’s important to take the time to consider these factors before making a decision.
What are the cabinets above the upper cabinets called?
The cabinets that are above the upper cabinets are often referred to as a wall cabinet, pantry cabinet, or high cabinet. These cabinets can be used for a variety of purposes, from storing food to pantry items and extra kitchen supplies to providing additional storage near the ceiling for items such as seasonal dishes.
Depending on the type of cabinet and how it is used, these cabinets can also be referred to as corner cabinets, spice cabinets, pot-and-pan cabinets, or broom cabinets. Furthermore, if the wall cabinet is specially designed for storing extra stemware or other large items, it may be referred to as a stemware rack, stemware cabinet, or stemware cubby.
What is the space between kitchen cabinets and ceiling called?
The space between kitchen cabinets and the ceiling is often referred to as the soffit. A soffit is an enclosed space, typically made of drywall, that is created where two indoor walls, in this case the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, meet.
A soffit can be both decorative and practical; it is often used to hide ductwork, plumbing, and electrical wiring while also lending visual interest to a room. Soffits can have open sides, allowing easy access to the pipes and wires they hide, or they can be fitted with veneers, shutters, or cabinets to provide additional storage space.
What do you do with empty space above kitchen cabinets?
When it comes to the empty space above kitchen cabinets, there are a variety of creative options for what you can do with it. First of all, you could opt to use the space to store extra kitchen items, such as seldom-used dinnerware, dinner party accessories, and cookbooks.
Or, if you’re tight on storage space, you could use above-cabinet storage baskets to store pots, pans, and utensils. Additionally, if you prefer to have a more decorative or stylish look in the kitchen, consider adding accent pieces, such as a wall clock, framed artwork, or a potted plant.
Painting the space a contrasting color of the kitchen walls can also give the kitchen a vibrant, updated look. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what to do with your empty space above kitchen cabinets.
How much space should be between the upper and lower cabinets?
Typically, when installing upper and lower cabinets, you should leave at least 18 inches of space between them. This will allow enough room for the countertop to fit properly on the lower cabinet and ensure that the the upper cabinet is not too close to the countertop.
If the upper and lower cabinets are being installed back to back, you should still leave a minimum of 18 inches of space between them so that appliances and other items can fit in the space between them.
Should cabinet crown molding touch the ceiling?
When installing crown molding, it is generally accepted that the top of the molding should come in contact with the ceiling. This provides a smooth transition between the ceiling and the wall and helps give a finished, polished look to your room.
It’s also important to make sure that the molding is perfectly flush against the ceiling so there are no visible gaps or uneven lines. Depending on the type of molding you have and the angle of the wall, you may have to make some adjustments along the way to make sure that the crown molding does, in fact, touch the ceiling.
When installing wood crown molding, for instance, a level will be especially helpful for ensuring that the molding is even and properly aligned against the ceiling.
Do kitchen cabinets need crown molding?
Whether or not kitchen cabinets need crown molding is largely based on personal preference. Crown molding can be used for visual appeal and added elegance, but it is not always essential for aesthetics.
Crown molding may also add added structural support, depending on the type of material used; solid wood or engineered wood, for example. Additionally, it can provide extra protection from dust and offer a better seal against moisture.
In many kitchen cabinet designs, crown molding is used as a finishing touch, but in modern kitchen designs, it may not be necessary. If your kitchen cabinets already have other intricate details or accents, such as detailed edges or raised panels, crown molding may not be necessary.
Ultimately, the decision to include crown molding with kitchen cabinets is up to the homeowner who can pick the style and design they feel best suits the kitchen space.
How do you add height to kitchen cabinets?
The most common way is to use cabinet risers, which are risers of varying heights and widths that are used to raise cabinets off the ground. Cabinet risers can be purchased in a variety of materials, such as plastic, wood, metal, or particle board.
You may also want to look into purchasing a cabinet elevator, which is an installation that uses a mechanical lift to raise the height of your cabinets. This option can be more expensive, but it is a great way to add the desired height without having to make any structural changes to your cabinet itself.
Additionally, you could also opt to add shims to the base of your cabinets in order to raise them up. Shimming can be done at the base of the cabinet or at one or two sides depending on the look you want to achieve.
It is also important to remember that when you are adding extra height to kitchen cabinets, it can affect the overall wiring and plumbing of the cabinet, so it is important to consult with a professional for proper installation.
How high should kitchen cabinets be above the counter?
The standard height for kitchen cabinets above a countertop is 18 inches, although this can vary based on the cabinet type and the needs of the kitchen. Wall cabinets are generally mounted 18-20 inches above the countertop, while base cabinets can be mounted anywhere from 34-36 inches from the floor.
To ensure the kitchen is comfortable, it’s best to measure from the kitchen floor to the top of the countertop to check the height of your cabinets. Customising the height of the cabinets to suit your needs is also a good option.
This might mean raising them higher to store taller items, or reducing the height by a few inches for easier access. Whatever height you decide on, it’s important to take into consideration the ergonomics and safety of the kitchen, as well as how convenient the cabinets are to use on a daily basis.
How far should cabinets be from the ceiling?
The distance that cabinets should be from the ceiling depends on the size of the room, the proportions of the cabinets, and personal preference. Generally, kitchen cabinets can be installed any where from just a few inches off of the ceiling all the way up to leaving about a foot of space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling for a room with a standard 8-foot ceiling.
If the ceiling is taller, the cabinets may protrude from the ceiling slightly and if the ceiling is lower, the cabinets may need to be a bit shorter. If the room has a vaulted ceiling, the cabinets should follow the shape of the ceiling so they can fit the contours of the walls.
Ultimately, the distance between the cabinets and the ceiling should be based on the amount of usable wall space and the preferences of the homeowner.
How do you fill the gap between top of cabinet and ceiling?
When you have a gap between the top of a cabinet and the ceiling, there are several ways to fill it. One option is to install trim molding around the top of the cabinet, which is often made from wood and can be painted to blend in with the rest of your kitchen.
Another option is to build up the space with a filler strips, which are generally made of wood and can also be painted to match the color scheme of the kitchen. You can also use panel molding to fill the gap, which is made from boards with mitered edges that fit around the top of the cabinet and the top of the ceiling.
Depending on how large the gap is, you may need to use two pieces of molding, with a filler strip to bridge the gap in between. Caulk can be used to fill in any remaining gaps and provide a seamless look.
What causes gap between wall and ceiling?
One of the main causes of a gap between the wall and the ceiling is due to thermal expansion and contraction of materials. As temperatures rise and fall, the materials used in both the wall and the ceiling expand and contract, which can create a gap between both.
A larger gap may be caused if the wall and ceiling are made of different materials, as each material may respond differently to temperature changes, leading to a difference in their expansion and contraction.
In addition, gaps can also be caused by poor construction, age, and changes in the house’s foundation. Changes in the predominant forces acting on the house, such as renovations or an earthquake, can have an effect on the walls and ceilings, resulting in a gap between them.
It is important to have a structural engineer inspect the house to determine if the gap is due to such external forces, or if it is simply due to thermal contraction and expansion. In some cases, it may be possible to seal the gap with caulk, or by changing the expansion gap size by changing the gap spacing.