How Tall is Too Tall? Finding Your Ideal Kitchen Cabinet Height

After years of back and shoulder pain from working in my kitchen, I finally decided enough was enough. No matter how much I stretched or changed my stance, straining to reach into my 36-inch tall cabinets left me aching. But with so many cabinet options out there, how could I determine the perfect height to fit my needs?

We'll debunk the myth of a "one size fits all" standard, and explore customization options for your unique body and workflow. Let's start cooking in comfort!

What is the Standard Kitchen Cabinet Height?

If you look at any pre-fabricated cabinet, you'll likely see a height of 36 inches quoted. This includes:

• Typical interior cabinet height: 34.5 inches
• Standard countertop thickness: 1.5 inches

Combined, this creates a total standard height of 36 inches. But where did this number come from?

In the early 20th century, kitchen designers settled on 36 inches as an average level comfortable for most women working at countertops. However, with a wider range of heights today, more people are finding themselves outside this "standard" fit.

Factors That Determine Ideal Cabinet Height

Countertop Ergonomics

Consider the various motions you make at your kitchen countertops. Are your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle when chopping, mixing, or rolling out pie crusts? Can you wash dishes in the sink without hunching over?

The right cabinet height reduces strain on your wrists, shoulders, and back while working. Finding your "goldilocks" zone may take some tweaking based on common kitchen tasks.

Average User Height

Another factor impacting comfortable cabinet heights ties back to anthropometrics - the study of human body measurements. Men today average about 5 foot 9 inches tall, while women average 5 foot 4 inches . However, height ranges vary widely in any population.

With such diversity, a "one size fits most" cabinet height leaves many users out. Those who fall outside the typical range either need to stoop or stretch to reach cabinets built for average heights.

Kitchen Workflow

Consider how your kitchen gets used day-to-day. What tasks do you perform while standing vs. sitting? How does workflow differ between multiple cooks in the household?

Accessing appliances, the sink, and different prep zones may benefit from subtle height tweaks. You don't necessarily need the same cabinet height throughout your kitchen.

Problems With "One Size Fits All" Cabinet Heights

So what exactly happens when you're stuck with cabinets that don't fit your proportions?

• Back, neck, and shoulder pain from continual stooping, stretching, or slouching during kitchen tasks
• Increased fatigue and discomfort while working at countertops
• Awkward movements that reduce precision with cooking and meal prep
• An environment that feels uncomfortable rather than customized

Rather than living with ongoing strain or limitations, consider adjusting cabinet heights throughout your kitchen to meet your needs.

Finding Your Custom "Just Right" Cabinet Height

Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinetry makes it fairly simple to customize heights on your new or remodeled kitchen. Options include:

• Adjustable cabinet feet to raise pre-fab cabinets up from the standard
• Special order semi-custom cabinets modified to your exact height specifications
• Fully custom cabinets designed around specialized storage needs

Beyond the cabinet box itself, other elements like countertops, sinks, and backsplashes will also need proper measuring to fit your new heights.

Cost Considerations

Adding custom sizing does often increase budget, with more variance the further you stray from standard cabinet dimensions. However, this investment pays dividends through improved kitchen ergonomics and accessibility over the years.

Tips for Measuring Your Ideal Height

Finding cabinet heights tailored to your body takes some experimentation. Test a range of sizes using these approaches:

• Work at movable carts or make temporary countertops set at different levels
• Pay attention to motions used in common cooking or cleaning tasks
• Get feedback from others using your test workstations

Make plenty of notes about what feels comfortable long-term, not just in brief sessions. This will guide sizing decisions when installing new cabinets.

Extra Height Considerations

Accommodating Mobility Issues

In some cases, kitchen cabinets may need to be designed lower to the ground to accommodate those who use wheelchairs or walkers for mobility. Sink bases and prep zones require adequate clearances for knees and toes, which call for adjusted dimensions.

Impact on Resale Value

Straying too far from standard cabinet heights could impact resale value if potential buyers view spaces as less versatile. Slight height adjustments likely pose little difficulty, but major changes may limit your market unless customization needs match a new owner.

When selling, emphasize the ergonomic benefits and specialty features enabled by non-standard sizing.

Coordinating Cabinets and Counters

Mixing and matching cabinet box sizes, doors, hardware finishes, and countertop materials risks an uncoordinated aesthetic. Seek unified designs across any height-customized zones.

A kitchen designer can ensure customized cabinets complement the overall style rather than looking obviously out of place. This preserves harmony and flow.

Don't automatically accept the 36-inch standard as an immutable kitchen law. Optimizing cabinet height around your proportions and tasks performed reduces strain and fatigue over years of meal prep. Experiment, measure meticulously, and don't be afraid to special order sizes suited to you.

Now that I've customized my kitchen's cabinets and counters to my 5-foot-2 frame, I can truly say I'm living my best life. No more backaches, no more clumsy moments! Stirring, chopping, kneading and more all feel perfectly positioned thanks to cabinets tailored just for me. Don't wait any longer - start cooking comfortably today in your dream kitchen!