Is 12” enough space above kitchen cabinets to build open shelving?
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Debra
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Hi Debra, this is Peggy. The article I found says 18". You could try and see if you like it. Good luck. The standard distance between the top of a kitchen counter and the bottom of the wall cabinets above it is 18 inches. For the average person, this distance is the ideal balance between plenty of space to work on the countertop and the ability to reach all of the shelves in the cabinet.
Yes, but just top off the top of the cabinets, otherwise you will have 2 shelves less than 6 inches high.
Usually there is a space of about 16-17 inches between the lower cabinets and the next layer. You need this space in order to place your appliances such as a blender, microwave, toaster oven, etc. Measure out your highest appliance and go that way.
It all depends on what you want to put up there. Or if that's all the room you have , then find things that will fit ! You can never have too much storage !!!!
Hi, Debra: My neighbor uses the space above her kitchen cabinets as a "show place". She puts pretty serving pieces, etc. there. Lo0ks great. Her cabinets' "ceiling" is inset so that there is a little stand-up edge so platters, etc. don't slide off. I use a 12 inch space at the top of a screened-in porch for a shelf, too.