Deciding on the amount of space between your kitchen cabinet and ceiling can be a tricky decision. There are many factors to consider before deciding on a measurement.
Cabinets that Reach the Ceiling
There are several advantages of having your upper cabinets reach all the way up to the ceiling:
Space
By building all the way to the ceiling, you gain valuable cabinet storage space. Many people question why anyone would want storage space that is out of easy access without a chair or ladder. There are many small appliances or dishware items that you would like to use on occasion but don’t need immediately at hand. Why store these items far away in a basement or garage? You can keep these items on the top shelves of your cabinets for relatively easy access when you need them.
Cleaning
Whenever you have a level surface in your kitchen, you also have place to collect dust and grime. When the top of your upper cupboards reaches the ceiling, you’ll never have to clean up there again!
Aesthetics
You need to take into account the entire setup of your kitchen. Contemporary kitchens benefit from the uncluttered look that ceiling high cabinets offer. If you have a tiny kitchen, tall cabinets may seem overpowering to the room. However, the gained storage space in a small kitchen might outweigh aesthetics in some cases.
Advantages of Leaving Space between the Ceiling and Cabinets
If you enjoy plants, the space in between the cabinets and ceiling are ideal for wide types of plants or trailing plants. Accent decorations can also be placed on the top of the cabinets for effect. Some cabinet designs have tiered upper cabinets where a few are slightly lower than the rest. Accent vases, baskets or other decorative items are perfect for these spots.
Your kitchen layout might just not be suitable for to-the-ceiling cupboards. Slanted ceilings one situation where they are definitely not suitable.
When it comes down to it, personal preference is a factor in your decision. You might simply prefer one look over the other. Consider the above factors and have a look at examples of many kitchens with ceiling high cabinets and examples with a space between kitchen cabinet and ceiling to see which you visually prefer.