How To Choose Cabinet Height From Counter Height

Cabinet height from counter is a very important aspect of any kitchen design. Having the right distance between cabinets can make or break your kitchen's design and function. Not having the right distance between your cabinets can be very annoying, and take up precious counter space.

The first thing you have to decide when choosing cabinet height from counter is how far back your cabinets should be from the counter. If you like to cook on the stove, then your counter will be high enough that you can reach over the top of it without bending over. If you like to read and/or cook on the stove, then you'll need a counter that is a little higher. You may not be able to fit a lot of gadgets, but having them in the kitchen makes it look better.

The next thing you need to consider is where the middle of your counter should be. If you want to put a deli in your kitchen, then you'll need to ensure that your counter is higher than the cabinet you're placing it on. If you put something with high shelves in the middle of your counter, the cabinets you place next to the counter could obscure some of the display, making it harder to find things you need. Having a clean, well-lit counter at the top of your counter helps as well.

A tip for kitchen design is to not use a cabinet that would stick out and block what you are trying to get across. For example, if you have a bookcase sitting in the middle of your counter, and you don't have anything that the books are resting on, the bookcase might just sit in the way and block everything else. This would be very bad for the space.

Your cabinets may also be too high if you plan on putting a paper shredder, or anything else for that matter, on the counter. Many times they are left up high because they can't reach the blades. Then you run into the problem of messing up the view of what you are doing while not being able to see your paper shredder.

Your cabinets should also be tall enough so that you can easily reach around the top of the counter for more items. Some people just cut their food and smooth the surface down with a marble dusting broom. Others use a potato masher to smooth out the top of the counter.

If you don't want your cabinets to be very high, you can cut them down with an undermount laminate drawer. They are made to be mounted to the lower back of the cabinet. The downside to this is that the lower back of the cabinet is exposed, and the whole cabinet can be damaged if the finish of the wood is damaged. Laminate drawer pulls are not expensive and can make the area underneath the cabinet a lot safer and convenient to work in.

Today's cabinets are also very flexible. You can have a pop-up or curtain or glass doors and have them custom made to fit any space you want. Inexpensive plastic hinges are also available to add a little extra security, and to keep the door closed without fingerprints.

Something else to think about when choosing cabinet height from counter is whether or not you want a pull out refrigerator. If you have a high top counter with a tall cabinet, then a pull out refrigerator is a nice addition to your kitchen.

Another option you have is drawer slides. Drawer slides are simply set of rails that slide out and in so that you can put and take out dishes quickly and easily. Often they are made of wood and attached to the sides of the cabinets on one or both sides.

When you install drawer slides, you can choose between sliding in, or sliding out. This can be a very handy feature. The drawers on the other hand might be placed lower, or higher, so you can set the drawers according to your needs.

No matter which route you take, you'll want to consider exactly how high or low your counter is. You can probably cut them down just a few inches to suit, but it will definitely look better if you're comfortable there.