Kitchen cabinets too high

[Anonymous]

We recently bought a house, with a beautiful kitchen, tall ceilings an$ all. The kitchen cabinets, though are too high for everyday reach. I can’t reach 75 percent of the shelf space, without a ladder. What are my options?

[Anonymous]

Step ladder. Shoe lifts. Employing Clifford to give you a boost.

[Anonymous]

There is a building code for counter and cabinet height

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a building code for counter and cabinet height

This. If they are hung at standard height but you are short, just get a stepladder. But if they are built above standard upper height (perhaps a previous owner was very tall?) consider having them rehung at the standard height.

[Anonymous]

I just did this too. Alas, my kitchen is also small, so I really can't give up the cabinet space. I arranged the cabinets so the stuff I use the least is up there and we have an ultra-lightweight stepladder in the kitchen.

[Anonymous]

I can reach the lower 2 shelves in my ceiling height upper cabinets, but not the shelves above. The items I use most are on the lower 2 shelves. When I need something from one of the upper shelves, I ask my husband, or one of my sons to get it for me if they are nearby. If not, I pull over a chair or grab the step stool. I have also been known to hop up on the counter if no one is around!

[Anonymous]

buy a ladder

[Anonymous]

I have a step stool that I use. Mostly, though, I don't keep things I use very often on the top shelf.

[Anonymous]

You're just short. I'm short too (5'1). I can only easily reach the first shelf and I have a step stool to reach the others.

The trend now is mostly bottom cabinets. We only have one upper cabinet for glasses. The rest is taken up by 4 windows and the range hood and fridge, wall oven, etc. We have huge bottom drawers with pegs that hold dishes.

[Anonymous]

I vote for rehanging so they are lower.

[Anonymous]

What is the distance between the upper cabinets and countertop? The standard is 18inches, you can't drop it any lower.

[Anonymous]

I thought 18" is just for over and around the range, however, perhaps it varies by jurisdiction.

[Anonymous]

there are codes for clearances around cook tops, stoves, and such,

but there is no code for general cabinet height over top of the counters.

[Anonymous]

For a nominal fee, I can be your "reacher."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a building code for counter and cabinet height

For function yes , you can have cabinets that are architectural/design feature that are higher.