Kitchen Cabinets to the Ceiling: Are They Worth It?
Welcome! If you're planning a kitchen remodel, you've probably noticed how beautiful cabinets look when they extend all the way to the ceiling. But are they really worth the extra money? What about those upper cabinets you'll need a ladder to reach? And what if you have an ugly soffit you can't remove?
After more than 20 years of designing kitchens, I have a pretty strong opinion about this.
I'm a big fan of taking kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Here's why:
Why I Prefer Ceiling-Height
For me, the biggest benefit isn't necessarily the extra storage. It's how finished the kitchen looks.
Kitchen cabinets are essentially boxes, and when they stop short of the ceiling, you're often left with an awkward gap that doesn't serve much purpose. Taking cabinets all the way up makes them feel like part of the architecture rather than separate boxes hanging on the wall.
In kitchens with 8, 9, or even 10-foot ceilings, I almost always recommend going all the way to the top. Yes, it's more expensive, but the added height, storage, and finished appearance are usually worth the investment. I've even had shorter clients who knew they'd rarely use those uppermost cabinets but still wanted them for the look.
And there's another bonus: no awkward space collecting dust—and no temptation to decorate the tops of your cabinets with fake ivy :)
Crown Molding Tips
Here's where I have another strong opinion. If you're taking cabinets to the ceiling, don't skip the crown molding. Crown adds architectural detail and softens the transition between those boxy cabinets and the ceiling. Some people eliminate crown molding to squeeze in a few extra inches of storage, but personally, I'd rather have that beautiful finishing detail.
The exception? A very modern or contemporary kitchen where clean lines and minimal molding are part of the design throughout the home... otherwise, give me the crown!
One important detail: ceilings aren't always perfectly level. A skilled cabinet installer can carefully fit the crown molding to accommodate those imperfections. What you don't want is an obvious half-inch gap between the molding and ceiling. That dark shadow line can make the entire installation look unfinished.
Stacked Upper Cabinets
With 9 and 10-foot ceilings, I frequently use stacked upper cabinets—an additional row of smaller cabinets above the main wall cabinets. But here's a rule I follow - aim for at least 12 inches of usable height in that upper stacked row, not including the crown molding. Anything smaller becomes pretty limited in terms of storage and can look disproportionate.
And don't overlook the finishing details... adding a small piece of decorative trim between the two cabinet rows can disguise the seam and make everything look more custom. I also recommend a finished end panel on the outside of a cabinet run. It's the little details that make a big difference.
One of my favorite treatments is adding glass doors and interior lighting to the upper cabinets.
They're beautiful for displaying dishes, vases, or seasonal decorations, and the lighting adds a lovely glow to the kitchen.
What If You Can't Remove Your Kitchen Soffits?
Now here's a little design trick you might not know. Sometimes older kitchens have soffits above the cabinets that contain plumbing or ductwork. In my luxury kitchen renovations, we're typically removing those soffits altogether. But if relocating everything inside would blow your budget, there may be another solution.
You can sometimes make the soffit look like cabinetry.
If the soffit can be reduced to approximately 12 inches deep to align with your upper cabinets, matching cabinet panels or decorative doors can be installed over it. It looks like an additional row of cabinets, even though there's no storage behind it. Another option is modifying stacked upper cabinets to accommodate pipes or ductwork while still preserving some usable storage.
Of course, your contractor and cabinet professional need to determine what's feasible.
But the takeaway is this: You don't always have to remove a soffit to make it visually disappear.
When I Wouldn't Take Cabinets to the Ceiling
Yes, there are exceptions! I've designed many coffee bars, butler pantries and sculleries with 10-ft ceilings. And when they include beautiful wallpaper, we want to see it! In these cases, we often stop cabinets at 8-ft plus crown so there is enough space to see enough of the pattern.
The other practical point is cutting cost in secondary spaces by saving money on cabinetry height.
But in the main kitchen? I'm probably taking those cabinets all the way up.
So, Are Ceiling-Height Cabinets Worth It?
In most cases, my answer is yes. They cost more, and you may need a step stool to reach the uppermost shelves, but the combination of extra storage, architectural detail, and a beautifully finished appearance makes them one of my favorite kitchen design choices.
Just remember that proportions matter, crown molding matters, and those small finishing details can make all the difference. The goal isn't simply to make your cabinets taller... it's to make your kitchen look beautifully finished.
Planning a Kitchen Remodel?
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