question about upper kitchen cabinet storage?

Question

1. why are the top half of the upper kitchen cabinet place at a unreachable height for the less tall people?

2. why is there a gap between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling?

Answer 1

Standard ceiling height is 8' in homes built since WWII in the USA. The standard height of the top of overhead cabinets is 7' which leaves the 12" space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. Extra tall overhead cabinets are available to fill this space, but most builders do not use them because of the added cost.

This 7' standard height was determined by home designers and architects to be the optimum height to accomodate the largest number of potential of home buyers. It is not unusual for people of a shorter stature to have problems reaching the top shelves. I am 6'-0" tall and I have a problem reaching the back of the top shelf inside the cabinets. Most people use a sturdy three step stool to reach these shelves.

I hope this information sheds some light on the subject.

Good luck with your kitchen cabinet accessibility problems.

Answer 2

Just say it. Short people. Thats just the way it is and also why step stools are made. As far as the gap is concerned. the cabinets are hung slightly low to insure they can be hung level. Normally, a piece of trim fills in the extra space. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Meyer May house for shortness as the family that had it comissioned was short.

Answer 3

1. To keep the step stool and ladder industry in business? Only put stuff you rarely use up in the higher elevations .

2. Most ceilings are not totally level and the gap is there to assure your cabinets will be level. You'll notice the gap is thinner on one side than the other.