Are you planning to remodel your kitchen to give it a modern or fancy touch? While remodeling your kitchen you also have to manage proper kitchen cabinet height from the floor that people usually take for granted.
Make sure the height of the cabinets from the floor is appropriate enough that you can easily reach there without the need for any stool or chair. So what is the standard height in this regard?
We will discuss this topic in detail below along with some other changes that you need to do to properly remodel your kitchen. Stay tuned.
The Standard Kitchen Cabinet Height from Floor
Have you ever thought that what should be the standard cabinet height? Yes, it does depend on different factors but as per estimation, the standard height is 54 inches.
It simply means that the maximum height difference between your cabinets and floors must be approximately 4 feet and 6 inches. You might be wondering how did we calculate this estimated height?
This standard height of kitchen cabinets comes when we calculated the cabinet base which is 34 and a half inches and then we added the height of the countertop base which is one and a half inches which is the standard counter height.
Moreover, we included the backsplash inches which is 18. After combining all these, we got the standard height i.e 54 inches from the floor to the cabinet’s bottom edge. However, you can do variations in this figure as per the requirement and your need.
The thickness of the countertop and the base of the cabinet varies so you do not need to blindly follow this estimation figure.
So, in general, the most followed practice for the installation of wall cabinets is:
- 54-inches above the floor
- 18-inches above the countertops
- 24-inches above the stove
Factors that Change the Kitchen Cabinet’s Height
There are some factors that play a key role in making the difference in the cabinet’s height. Let’s have a look at those factors below to let you understand why the height differs.
1. Base Height
The base of cabinets is not the same in every kitchen that’s why there comes the height difference. The higher the base, the more distance should be between the floor and the upper cabinets.
With the proper distance, your kitchen will look neat, tidy, open, and of course worth appreciating. Hence, the main factor that defines the height difference is the height of the base cabinets.
For 9-foot ceilings, it is quite typical to opt for 42-inch upper cabinets. This provides a space of 12 inches between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling.
To achieve a seamless appearance between the cabinets and the ceiling, installing 12 inches of crown molding is necessary.
2- Thickness of Countertop
Now let’s talk about the thickness of the countertop which also varies. There should be enough space between the bottom of the upper cabinet and the countertop.
Do not ignore the distance of a half inch otherwise, it will cost you later. It is another factor that makes the height difference.
3. Cooking Range Distance
It is the most important factor that you should never avoid because if your cabinets catch fire then you will be at a big loss. Hence, maintain a proper distance between cabinets and stove to eliminate the chances of this unhealthy accident.
4. Backsplash Height
If we talk about its standard height then it is 18 inches but it can vary as per the requirement. Hence, it usually comes between 15 to 20 inches so you can set any distance that falls between these figures.
5. Requirement of Family
The height should be adjusted while keeping in mind the need of the family. If the people residing in the house are shorter then they won’t be able to reach the cabinets that are set a little higher.
For such people, 48 inches would be a normal height. However, for taller people, you can adjust the height.
Types of Cabinets in Kitchen
We have a lot more to discuss in this guide so that you can do the right estimation of the height. There are different types of cabinets installed in the kitchens. Let’s point out a few most common types that will be found in different houses. They include:
1. Kitchen Base Cabinets
Starting with the most common one, it is the foundation of the other cabinets. These cabinets are only 1 inch higher than the ground and the countertop is installed above them so that you can easily work there.
Usually, the height of such cabinets is pretty same approximately 34.5-inches tall. However, the inches can boost to 36 as well. You do not need to do a lot of effort into finding the exact height difference when it comes to the base cabinet.
2. Kitchen Pantry Cabinets
Here is the second type which is Pantry cabinets and with time they are getting a lot of acknowledgment. Normally, you keep food items in such cabinets.
However, they can be installed only if you have enough space in the kitchen because they demand huge depth and size. The average height of these cabinets is approximately 84- to 94 inches.
3. Kitchen Wall Cabinets
Here is the last cabinet type that is attached to the walls. The height distance of wall cabinets differs the most because it likely depends on the interior of the kitchen.
These types of cabinets are also common because they come in a wide range and you can choose from a wide range of traditional cabinets to modern ones.
You can keep a lot of stuff in these tall kitchen cabinets. The height of the wall cabinet depends on the height of the countertop, stove placement in the kitchen, and floor height.
If we check the standard height distance, then the countertops should be at least 18 inches above the cabinets and the floor height should be 54 inches. As far as stove height is concerned, the cabinets should be placed at least 24 inches above it.
If you want that your cabinets must be touching the ceiling then you can go for the estimated height of 12, 36, and 42 inches. You can choose any option as per the requirement.
Do Kitchen Cabinets Go to the Ceiling?
Yes, you might have commonly seen some cabinets that are known as wall cabinets that are touching the ceiling. It is a useful way to store all the kitchen items in this huge cabinet.
However, it will be not easy for you to reach that height whether you are tall or small. You have to stand on the stool every time to pick anything from the upper side.
Hence, it is better not to keep important items on the upper side so that you do not have to face inconvenience daily. Sometimes too much large cabinets look strange especially when the base cabinets are standard.
In this regard, the material and color play a huge role so ensure you have used quality material and have chosen the right paint.
Should Your Cabinets Touch the Floor?
Base cabinets are quite popular for a long time and they are only one step above the floor but should you install such cabinets? Usually, the cabinets in the kitchen are attached to the subfloor after which the flooring is installed.
On base cabinets, countertops are placed and it makes your work easy and simple. So yes, you can always go for this option.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Still, confused about the standard kitchen counter depth or want to know the actual height of the top kitchen cabinets? Do not worry because here we are going to define the answers to a few questions that people always ask.
How High are Kitchen Cabinets Off the Floor?
There is no fixed number that you can blindly follow because you have to keep in mind a few factors before deciding on the actual height. However, the standard kitchen cabinet height is 54 inches. Tall kitchen cabinets are generally 84 or 96 inches tall.
How Tall are Floor Cabinets?
If we talk about the height including the countertop, it must be 35 or 36 inches and the depth must be 25 or 26 inches with the countertop. If you do not want to add a countertop in depth then it might be 24 inches.
However, the standard width height is 12, 24, 18, 36, 33, or 48 inches. You can choose as per the requirement.
What is the Standard Height of a Kitchen Cabinet?
The standard size is usually 30 or 36 inches. The height of the cabinet depends on different factors as already discussed above. You can not blindly go for any measurement.
What is the Smallest Kitchen Cabinet Height?
The smallest height of the kitchen cabinets starts from 9 inches and exceeds 40 inches depending on the need and requirement. These small cabinets are usually installed in kitchens with less space where you keep important stuff.
Final Thoughts
The kitchen cabinet is the most important part because you have to store a lot of kitchen stuff there. It is also important to keep the size accurate to avoid any future inconvenience.
Other than that, the most vital part is to keep the perfect distance of the kitchen cabinet height from the floor. It revolves around various factors so if you are not sure about it, do not hesitate to ask for guidance.
We have tried to gather as much information as possible so that it saves a lot of your time and you get all the desired details about this topic from a single place. I hope it will fully aid you in the future and you will manage to keep the proper height distance.
Leave a Reply