The decision is more complicated than you might think, though. A number of factors play into your decision, including:
Design preferencesCeiling heightBudgetCeiling details
Some people very much like the look of a full block of continuous wall cabinets without space above them. For others, the preference is more functional: continuous cabinets offer more storage space, and they eliminate the dead space that collects dust. Before you assume that this extra storage space is a great feature, be aware that the storage shelves up near the ceiling are not very accessible. For most people, the highest shelves are used for seasonal items or for dishes and accessories that are rarely used. One option is to equip your kitchen with a rolling library ladder, which can both improve access to high shelves and also serve as decorative design element all by itself. It is possible to fill the entire space with cabinets—either by buying cabinets that precisely fill the space, or by running two rows of wall cabinets that together occupy the entire vertical space. A general rule of thumb is for wall cabinets to be mounted so the bottom edge is 54 inches above the floor, which means that an 8-foot-tall ceiling creates 42 inches of available space for wall cabinets, while a 9-foot-tall ceiling has 54 available inches. Many manufacturers of stock cabinetry offer wall cabinets in heights of 12, 15, 18, 24, 30, 32, 36, and 42 inches. If you have 8-foot-tall ceilings and want cabinets that run to the ceiling, 42-inch-tall wall cabinets will fit perfectly. If you have 9-foot-tall ceilings, you can choose to fill the available 54 inches of wall space with one row of 36-inch-tall cabinets, with a row of 18-inch cabinets above them. Another option would be 12-inch cabinets atop a row of 42-inch cabinets. If there are small gaps above the wall cabinets, this can usually be easily filled with crown moldings or other decorative trim work. If you have unusual ceiling heights, a custom cabinetry specialist can build cabinets to fit any space—which may be the most practical solution if you have 10-foot-high ceilings. Alternately, you could fill the space above a single row of standard cabinets with false cabinet panels that give the appearance, but not the function (or cost), of cabinets running all the way to the ceiling. If you have the unusual circumstance of ceilings higher than 10 feet, as is sometimes the case in loft condos, it’s best not to attempt to run cabinets all the way up. It is neither practical nor attractive to install such a mass of cabinets. Other architectural features can also complicate things. A coffered ceiling, for example, depends on a symmetrical look that is badly disrupted as soon as you extend wall cabinets fully to the ceiling. Standard cabinets can also allow for indirect uplighting through light fixtures mounted on the tops of the cabinets; this capability is lost when you run the cabinets fully to the ceiling. And if your kitchen has ornate, built-up crown moldings, they will probably need to be removed to install full-rise wall cabinets, and it may be impossible to reattach them to the cabinets. Before taking this step, you should ask yourself what feature offers more visual appeal—the full-rise cabinets or the decorative moldings.
