Extending kitchen cabinets is taking modern homes by storm. Gone are the days of wasted space—this design choice creates a sleek and cohesive look, maximizes storage space, and makes your kitchen feel more open.
Want to upgrade your space with extended kitchen cabinets? Let American Wood Reface guide you. This blog will cover key advantages and potential considerations.
Why Extend Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling?
If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy showcasing items above your cabinets, you might find that space often goes to waste. Extending your cabinets to the ceiling helps eliminate dead space and provides more space for storing rarely used kitchen items. Plus, it pulls the entire kitchen together, giving it a polished and luxurious feel.
However, while extending cabinets to the ceiling can be advantageous for most kitchens, it might not be the best fit for those with very high or coffered ceilings, beams, or other distinctive architectural elements.
Key Factors to Consider Before Updating Your Existing Cabinets
Ceiling Height
Before extending kitchen cabinets to the ceiling, consider the current height of your ceiling. If it is 10 feet tall or higher, stacking new cabinets to your existing ones can look bulky and make access difficult.
The method of extending your cabinets varies depending on ceiling height:
- For 8-foot-high ceilings, a single new, taller door will cover both the existing cabinet and the extension.
- For 9-foot high ceilings, typically, two doors (stacked cabinets) are used to cover the existing cabinet and extension. Two doors (a short door on top and a taller one below) look better proportionally.
With either method, once the structure is extended, cabinet refacing is an option to hide any seams and structural changes, making them essentially brand new.
Kitchen Style
Extended kitchen cabinets enhance the clean lines and minimalist design typical of modern kitchens and can also complement rustic styles with crown molding. However, they may not suit industrial kitchens, as they can obscure the raw, utilitarian elements that define that aesthetic.
Storage Needs
In addition to the aesthetic value of taller cabinets, the extensions can also provide extra storage space. If you’re short on storage for rarely used items like holiday dishes or those quirky kitchen gadgets, extending cabinets to the ceiling can be a lifesaver.
Budget
Extending your cabinetry to the ceiling can be a wise investment. However, if you love the look of extended-height cabinets but find the cost stretches your budget too thin, there is another option.
Instead of adding functional cabinet space above your existing cabinets, you can close off the space above your existing cabinets and make new taller doors to cover the existing cabinets plus the space above. This method does not give you more storage space but achieves the look and is a more budget-friendly option.
Extending Kitchen Cabinets to Ceiling: Before and After
To inspire your upgrade, here are samples of our work.
8-Foot-High Ceilings with 1 Door Covering the Extensions
9-Foot-High Ceilings with 2 Doors (Stacked Cabinets)
9-Foot-High Ceilings with 2 Doors and Glass/In-Cabinet Lighting on Top
Design Enhancements and Finishing Touches
Choosing Crown Molding
Before choosing a crown molding for your upper cabinets, consider your kitchen’s overall aesthetics to get that polished look. Here are some options.
- Traditional: This style is timeless for classic or traditional kitchens. It helps draw the eye upward, making your space look polished and stately.
- Victorian: A luxurious style that uses a diverse combination of shapes and profiles, creating a unique blend. Pair it with a soffit filler to achieve a more regal look.
- Craftsman/Mid-century: An ideal crown molding for a kitchen with contemporary or transitional closed cabinet door styles. It emphasizes simple angles and straight lines, making the short ceiling look taller, and finishes the cabinetry without being too flashy.
Lighting Considerations
Extending your kitchen cabinets to the ceiling can impact the lighting in your kitchen. Maintain a balanced look by adding under-cabinet lighting to brighten work areas or add in-cabinet lighting for glass door upper cabinets to accentuate decorative items. With no dark corners or shadows, you can highlight the beauty of your new cabinetry, ensuring your kitchen remains bright and welcoming.
Takeaway
Do your kitchen layout, storage needs, and personal style call for a practical upgrade? Extended kitchen cabinets are a fantastic solution, providing enhanced storage and a stunning aesthetic that transforms your space.
At American Wood Reface, we specialize in refacing kitchen cabinets using premium 1/4″ solid wood, giving you a beautiful, modern kitchen without the hassle and expense of a full remodel. If you’re looking to maximize your space, we can also extend your cabinets to the ceiling, providing even more storage and a seamless, sophisticated appearance.
Contact us today for a free in-home consultation!
