Kitchen organization and design has come a long way since its humble beginnings. In the past, traditional kitchens consisted of base cabinets and wall cabinets with a separate walk-in pantry for storage. These pieces of furniture served as the backbone of kitchen design, providing essential storage and organization solutions. However, due to recent advancements in kitchen design and technology, homeowners have more options than ever before when it comes to outfitting their kitchens.
As homeowners increasingly look for ways to maximize storage space in their kitchen, one of the leading trends is installing kitchen cabinets that reach all the way up to the ceiling. This concept has gained significant traction in recent years, as homeowners are now opting for more efficient and effective designs that utilize available space. These tall cabinets are quickly becoming a favorite choice among interior designers and homeowners alike as they offer an abundance of storage options while helping to create a sense of openness in the kitchen.
Of course, there’s the benefit of additional storage (who doesn’t love that?), but why else should you design your new kitchen this way?
The Benefits of Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets
An entire wall in the kitchen with floor-to-ceiling cabinets can be a great way to fully maximize storage space, especially if you already have enough counter space. Ceiling height cabinetry is an incredibly functional way to maximize your kitchen space and it can also be integrated into both historical period designs and modern kitchen styles. If you are thinking about installing floor-to-ceiling cabinets in your new kitchen, here are a few things to consider:
Cabinet-Ready Appliances
Floor to celing cabinets are perfect for cabinet-ready appliances like the oven or the microwave. Add a double wall oven or a refrigerator into your cabinet wall. Depending on the appliances, you can add custom panels to add to the streamlined appeal of your kitchen.
Maximize Storage Space
Especially in small kitchens, it is vital to maximize and make the most of all the space available to you. Installing a wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry will allow you to maximize storage space no matter how big a footprint you have.
Up to the Ceiling Cabinets Design Tips
When designing floor-to-ceiling kitchen cabinetry, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:
- Design preferences
- Ceiling height
- Ceiling details
Chic tip: Before you make any decisions, measure your home’s ceiling first. Write the measurements down so you have them to reference as you make your design decisions. Always measure at least twice! Keep in mind that floor-to-ceiling cabinets will be more costly to install than traditional cabinetry. If you are on a budget, installing false custom cabinets nearest the ceiling can be cost-effective, and another option is to extend the ceiling down by installing soffits that drop the ceiling height to meet the tops of the cabinets.
What’s Your Cabinet Design Preference?
Begin by asking yourself a couple of simple questions:
Do you like the smooth continuous look of cabinets that run from the floor to the ceiling?
Will larger cabinetry appeal to you on a functional (storage) level?
Before assuming that the extra space would be a great feature for your kitchen, be aware that the storage shelves near the ceiling aren’t very accessible. Most people might use these highest shelves for seasonal items, or pieces that are rarely used. Incorporating glass front cabinets for the upper cabinets can be a beautiful way to display your most treasured items like your wedding china, glassware, or your art glass collection. Plus, if your kitchen has high ceilings, a library ladder can make accessing the top cabinets easier, and become a statement piece!
Ceiling Height
The height of most kitchen ceilings is between eight and nine feet. You can fill the entire space with cabinets by designing custom cabinets with the Cabinet Chic that will precisely fill the available space. If you have unusually high ceilings, our custom cabinetry specialists at C & C Cabinets can build cabinets to fit your space. With ceilings that are higher than 10-feet, it is best not to run cabinets all the way up, as they are impractical, and might detract from the overall design of the kitchen.
Chic tip: Crown moldings or decorative trim work can help fill in any gaps above the wall cabinets.
Ceiling Details
Depending on the style of your home, you might have beams or other architectural details to consider. If the ceiling beams offer structural support, it is best to keep the tops of the cabinets below the ceiling. Decorative beams could look awkward butted up to cabinets, so if the beams are merely decorative, you will need to make a decision: decorative beams or floor-to-ceiling cabinets? Other architectural features could further complicate things.
If your kitchen has a coffered ceiling, its symmetry might be disrupted by cabinets that extend to the ceiling. Standard cabinets also allow for indirect uplighting with lighting installed on the tops of the cabinets, which would be lost with the installation of floor-to-ceiling cabinets. You may also have to remove any ornate crown moldings on your ceiling as they might interfere with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. Before deciding to install full-length cabinets, ask yourself which features are most important to you—the storage capabilities of floor-to-ceiling cabinets, or the architectural features of your home.
Go Couture with Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinetry
Have an haute couture home with floor-to-ceiling custom cabinets. Taking your cabinets all the way up to the ceiling can suit many design styles, give you more storage, and even be a beautiful way to display some of your favorite heirlooms or China. Design completely custom cabinets to perfectly fit the size of your kitchen. Call the Cabinet Chic at (813) 876-6780 or contact a designer today! We can’t wait to design beautiful and functional floor-to-ceiling cabinets just for you. Plus, we can work around any unique architectural features like beams your home may have. Here, extraordinary begins with us and lives with you.
