What is the correct distance from the lower cabinet to the upper cabinets when installed in a kitchen?
Answers:
The minimum space between your countertop and the bottom of the wall mounted cabinets is 18". And over a range, you usually add 12".
In ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) code requirements, "at least one shelf of all cabinets mounted above work counters should be no more than 48" above the floor". If your typical counter height is 36", that would then place your cabinets at only 12" above the counter.
In placing your cabinets at lower than the 18" standard, just be sure you consider any and all items that you will storing or using on your counter tops... as most appliances are made with a heighth that assumes the 18" minimum standard is being observed (i.e. - make sure your coffee pot wouldn't be too tall to fit up against the wall under the new cabinets).
I agree with the gentleman that commented about cabinets being set too high for those who are short or in wheelchairs. Although the design world HAS made lengths in considering universal design, we still have a long way to go in coming up with usable space that is suitable for all.
Good luck.
Other answers:
As a disabled person and wheelchair user I just have to say it SHOULD be whatever is most convenient for the individual - I simply can't reach upper cabinets now! I have a sneaking suspicion though that the building trade does have a standard height but am afraid I can't tell you what that is.
Incidentally, it's not just disabled folk who have problems, my ex-wife was only 5ft tall and I'm 6ft, so she couldn't ever reach the top shelves without a stool and more or less depended on me to do so (when I was fit!).
If you're installing them for a builder or in a new property then you'll have to wait for a better, more technical, answer. If you're fixing them for yourself, or a friend, then I suggest working to the height that is most convenient for them (and still allows access to the worksurfaces!)
As a disabled person and wheelchair user I just have to say it SHOULD be whatever is most convenient for the individual - I simply can't reach upper cabinets now! I have a sneaking suspicion though that the building trade does have a standard height but am afraid I can't tell you what that is.
Incidentally, it's not just disabled folk who have problems, my ex-wife was only 5ft tall and I'm 6ft, so she couldn't ever reach the top shelves without a stool and more or less depended on me to do so (when I was fit!).
If you're installing them for a builder or in a new property then you'll have to wait for a better, more technical, answer. If you're fixing them for yourself, or a friend, then I suggest working to the height that is most convenient for them (and still allows access to the worksurfaces!)
For normal height use 24 inches from the bottom of the cabinet down to the counter top. If you have a back splash use the back of your base cabinet as reference.
Do consider lowering a cabinet if someone is short and needs to reach everyday items, raise for a taller person.
If you have a disabled person in your home really do your homework because different people need different things according to their disability. Same thing apples to counter tops and positioning of appliances. You want the kitchen to be functional. And you can mix and match lower and higher cabinets and counters!
The worktop height tends to be about 35 inches or 900mm above floor level.The height for the cabinets above depends very much on the height of the people using them and also the height of the ceiling.I would tend to use 18inches 450mm for somebody short and 24 inches 600mm for somebody taller.
no correct distance. make it custom for you and your family. it'll be worth alot more to you then.
but if you really wanna know, mine are about 18" from the countertop.
The usual distance is about 18 inches but if you are installing a tall cabinet, it is essential that the tops of the upper cabinets are level with the top of this so that when you put the cornice on top everything lines up.
Therefore fix the tall cabinet first. Floorstanding units have adjustable legs so if the floor slopes, start on the higher side if possible and use the legs to raise the level on the lower side.