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How To Build Your Own Kitchen Or Bathroom Cabinets On A Limited Budget - Wall Cabinets Part 1

Wall Cabinets:

The wall or upper cabinets are mounted above the countertop, and major appliances such as refrigerators and ranges.

The first step is to sketch the cabinet layout on a piece of paper.

In most homes, the upper cabinets do not go all the way to the ceiling. In some cases a partial ceiling is constructed above the cabinets and in other cases the area is left open.

The primary reason that cabinets generally do not go to the ceiling is the problem of reaching items that would be on the top shelf of the cabinet. However, if you need storage space and do not mind using a step stool now and then to reach some items, there is no technical reason that the cabinets can not go all the way to the ceiling.

Figure 15 shows the three alternative wall cabinet mountings.

Methods of positioning wall cabinets relative to the ceiling
Figure 15 - Methods of positioning wall cabinets relative to the ceiling

Although for aesthetic reasons, the tops of the cabinets should all line-up on any specific wall, the bottoms are generally staggered or not installed at all to allow room for the height of major appliances, windows, sinks and range vent hoods as shown in Figure 16.

Height of wall cabinets relative to countertop and major appliances
Figure 16 - Height of wall cabinets relative to countertop and major appliances

The normal depth of the wall cabinets is 12″, however as you are constructing them to suit your needs and requirements, you can customize the depth. Remember that the deeper you make the wall cabinets the more countertop that is shadowed.

The normal height from the top of the countertop to the bottom of the wall cabinets varies from 18″ to 24″. In other words the wall cabinet dimensions are completely up to you.

Grouping wall cabinets base on height
Figure 17 - Grouping wall cabinets base on height

As with the base cabinets, planning is required before construction of the wall cabinets. Cabinet groups that will require side walls, because the side is visible are constructed slightly differently than the wall cabinets.

Wall Cabinet Construction:

For the purposes of explanation we will not use actual measurements. You will have to take the construction basics and apply your dimensions to each of the assemblies.

Continued - Wall Cabinets...

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