Should cabinets go to ceiling for rental

Question

Hello BP,

I'm new to investing and just bought my 1st property in Queens NY. I'm doing my first renovation and having trouble picking cabinets. My ceiling is 8 foot high, should I buy 30 inch cabinets or cabinets that go to ceiling? I'm unsure.

Theresa Harris · Answer

Look at the price difference and amount of storage you have.  Also look to see how you use your kitchen-can you reach the higher shelves?

David Krulac · Answer

We just renovated a rental kitchen and installed 42" wall cabinets, it provides so much more storage age space and signals this is a new modern kitchen.

Stuart Udis · Answer

Depends on the market and price point of your rentals. I am generally a proponent on spending to maximize storage. I find the incremental cost to be a good ROI and doesn't require continued maintenance and upkeep the same way as an upgrade feature such as higher end appliances that will have a shorter life expectancy. Just make sure your ceilings are level. I have come across plenty of buildings with floor to ceiling heights that deviate by a few inches and it's not always noticeable to the eye. It becomes a problem when you have 42" upper cabinets and 8' ceilings.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Most people can't reach and don't use the full size 42" cabinets. They can also make a kitchen look crammed and tight.

I prefer the look of shorter 30" cabinets. But yes they will collect dust....

Doug Smith · Answer

Yes. Take them to the ceiling. Use a trim kit and inexpensive painted molding at the top so you don't have a gap to gather dust and filth. Don't just think of today...think of resale if you need to in the future. A home buyer is going to see the 30' cabinets and frown.

Colleen F. · Answer

@M Edouard  42 is good.  Most people can't reach beyond that. However check the space above the current cabinets before you decide to ensure that there are no obstructions preventing the taller cabinets. Sometimes people boxed in above the cabinets for a reason.

Jules Aton · Answer

Personally I don’t like the look and dust etc that can collect over cabinets so if it’s not too much more I would definitely do it.

James Mc Ree · Answer

Imagine how your tenants will use the space. A kitchen with limited storage will benefit from an extra shelf. It might not make much of a difference for a kitchen with lots of storage.

Can you use the space above the cabinets for anything if it were a soffit, such as an air duct, plumbing or electrical? That might be a way to provide more features. For example, you might be able to duct a range hood to the outside instead of recirculating the air in the kitchen.

I prefer to renovate almost to the ceiling. The renovation I am working on now has 93" ceilings. I went to 90" and am using the remaining 3" for electrical.

M Edouard · Answer

Its for a rental I wont be using the space

Should cabinets go to ceiling for rental

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