Lower Kitchen Cabinets: Custom design will provide improved function and comfort

[mai_avatar size="40" margin_right="-4px"][post_author_posts_link before=" by "][post_date before=" — "][mai_icon icon="comment-alt-lines" style="light" display="inline-block" size="1em" margin_left="12px" margin_right="-8px" margin_bottom="-4px"][post_comments][post_sponsor][shared_counts]

I’ve just moved into an 81-year-old house with 10-foot ceilings. The previous owners upgraded the kitchen, but to get to the top shelf of the cabinets, I need to stand on the top step of a three-step stool. At times I wonder if they serve oxygen at that height! Also, because the floor wasn’t plumb, it appears that they mounted the lower cabinets on a platform to get them to mount properly. Consequently, the countertops are at the bottom of my rib cage. In 15 years when I reach the ripe old age of 70, I can’t see myself stepping on that ladder to get to things! I want to remodel, but everything I see in magazines shows these humongously tall upper cabinets, and I have no idea what to do about the bottom cabinets. 5’2″ is not unusual for women. Do they make cabinets for people my size?

Our Answer

You might want to think about having custom-made lower cabinets that work for someone of your height. This way, the counter can be at any height you need and not under your armpits. The lower cabinets do not need to have doors–they can be open shelving so you can easily access and display your belongings. To save on costs, you can have the same upper cabinets installed much lower to help you save on oxygen costs.