Kitchen Cabinet Heights / Bulkhead Above Cabinets

**Basilius** · 15th August 2011, 02:52 PM

Hi,

I am new to this forum and not certain if I have posted in the most appropriate forum regarding kitchens - if not, please excuse my incorrect posting.

I am in a slight dillema and I am trying to work out if I should or should not have bulkhead above my kitchen cabinets which will finalise the overhall height of the kitchen cabinet.

My kitchen cabinets, appliances etc will all be new, but fitting into the existing kitchen area.

The kitchen area is 3.3 m wide, 3.5 m long and ceiling height of 2.7 m.

The kitchen shape is a U shape with a return breakfast bar bench (refer to attachment).

My two options are as follows:

Option 1

Final height of wall cabinets / pantry to be 2.4 metres with a bulkhead for the remaining 300 mm (2.7 m ceiling). Cornice at top of bulkhead;

Option 2

Final height of wall cabinet / pantry to be 2.25 m with no bulkheads.

The pros and cons I see are:

Option 1

Pros: No dust to gather on top of cabinets / fridge / pantry etc, more storage space (top shelf for long term storage items), duct for canopy (under mounted extraction unit) is concealed within bulkhead.

Cons: Room would shrink down in size .. true width of room from 3.3 m becomes 2.1 m (3.3 m less 600 mm for pantry / fridge depth and 300 mm less for wall cabinet on opposite side of pantry).

Option 2

Pros: Perimter of room visible (ie retain 3.3 m width) / room looks bigger and not squashed in.

Cons: Dust gathering on top of cabinets / pantry / fridge, less storage space, visible bulkhead / box to conceal ductwork for canopy.

Option 1 seems to have more pros, but I am concerned whether the room will appear as though it's shrunk down in size if I go with Option 1.

Any suggestions on which way to go ahead ?

Cheers,

Bill.

**chambezio** · 15th August 2011, 05:05 PM

Speaking from half of my working life in the kitchen manufacturing industry I would go with Option 1. The "no dust" problem overtime far outweighs the "canyon"you may think you are building. To make the room look "bigger" again, bring your ceiling colour down to the top of your cupboards and you will have a well finished job you will be happy with for years

**woodtryer** · 15th August 2011, 07:46 PM

Option 1 for sure. I too am a cabinet maker and the first option is the best way to go.

Peter.

**Basilius** · 16th August 2011, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by chambezio

Speaking from half of my working life in the kitchen manufacturing industry I would go with Option 1. The "no dust" problem overtime far outweighs the "canyon"you may think you are building. To make the room look "bigger" again, bring your ceiling colour down to the top of your cupboards and you will have a well finished job you will be happy with for years

Chambezio,

Thanks for your reply and advice - much appreciated.

Cheers,

Bill.

*Kev · 16th August 2011, 12:30 AM

Yeah I agree with going for option 1.

I had a new kitchen put in not long ago and I think the bulkhead finishes off the cabinets nicely. My kitchen is fairly small and I don't think it looks any smaller because of the bulkheads.

Concerning the ducting for the rangehood - venting out the wall is a much safer option than venting into the roof cavity. Bulkheads conceal the ducting perfectly.

Kev

**Basilius** · 16th August 2011, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by woodtryer

Option 1 for sure. I too am a cabinet maker and the first option is the best way to go.

Peter.

Hi Woodtryer,

Thanks for the advice. Excellent forum btw.

Best,

Bill.

**Basilius** · 16th August 2011, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by *Kev

Yeah I agree with going for option 1.

I had a new kitchen put in not long ago and I think the bulkhead finishes off the cabinets nicely. My kitchen is fairly small and I don't think it looks any smaller because of the bulkheads.

Concerning the ducting for the rangehood - venting out the wall is a much safer option than venting into the roof cavity. Bulkheads conceal the ducting perfectly.

Kev

Hi Kev,

Thanks for the advice - I will have duct go through ceiling and continue past roof line of house to avoid potential fire hazard (ie not vent into celing).

Cheers,

Bill.

**Oldneweng** · 18th August 2011, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by *Kev

Concerning the ducting for the rangehood - venting out the wall is a much safer option than venting into the roof cavity.

Kev

What? Into the bedroom?

Dean

*Kev · 18th August 2011, 05:02 PM

What bedroom?

**Oldneweng** · 19th August 2011, 10:03 PM

Take ya pick.

Dean

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