Kitchen Cabinet Height

Kitchen Cabinet Height: 80cm or 90cm? Get It Right Based on Your Height – Your Back Will Thank You

When renovating a kitchen, most people obsess over countertop colors and cabinet door materials – but overlook one detail that affects your daily experience: kitchen cabinet height.

Get the height wrong, and cooking becomes a chore: shorter people can't reach the upper cabinets, taller people strain their backs chopping vegetables, and after one meal you're left with an aching back.

One Formula to Find Your Ideal Height

Comfortable countertop height = Your height ÷ 2 + 5~10cm

For example:

Remember: This height is based on the person who cooks most often – not the family average. Whoever spends the most time in the kitchen sets the standard.

Even Better: Split-Level Countertops

Washing and cooking actually require different heights:

• Washing area: Higher – so you don't have to bend over

• Cooking area: Lower – so you don't have to hold your arms up

A height difference of 8~10cm between the two zones makes a huge difference – no more bending to wash or straining to cook.

Don't Forget the Upper Cabinets

The bottom of upper cabinets should sit 60~70cm above the countertop:

• Too low: You'll bump your head

• Too high: You can't reach – making them useless

If the main cook is shorter, consider pull-down baskets in the upper cabinets – just pull them down to reach everything.

In a Nutshell

There's no standard answer for cabinet height – only the answer that fits you. Set the countertop height based on the main cook's height, design split levels based on usage habits, and set upper cabinet heights within comfortable reach.

During our measurement visit, we'll ask who cooks most, how tall they are, and how they use the kitchen – then recommend the ideal cabinet heights so you don't have regrets after installation.

Planning a kitchen renovation? Contact us for a free on-site measurement and a solution tailored to you.