Stacked Cabinets Give You Room to Cook and Create

Do you find yourself constantly rearranging your pots and pans to make room for the latest kitchen gadget? Are you tired of seasonal cookware and overflowing Tupperware spilling out of overstuffed cabinets? Stacked kitchen cabinets could be the small-space solution you need to reclaim order amidst cooking chaos.

Installed above your existing upper cabinets, stacked cabinets provide a functional second row of storage. Ideal for housing lesser used items like fine china and bulky appliances, they free up your everyday dishware cabinets considerably. Beyond just adding space, stacked cabinets lend kitchens a clean, elegant look with possibilities for interior lighting and glass-fronted displays. Read on to discover how these petite powerhouses offer full-sized storage possibilities.

What Are Stacked Kitchen Cabinets?

Stacked kitchen cabinets are a secondary set of smaller cabinets installed approximately halfway between your countertops and the ceiling, directly above your existing upper cabinets. Typically around half the height of standard cabinets, their compact size suits them perfectly for storing goods used less frequently.

Often framed with glass fronts, stacked cabinets create an attractive focal point for showing off collectibles and dishware. Their simple installation process won't disrupt your existing cabinetry or require a full remodel. For kitchens with adequate ceiling height, stacked cabinets deliver excellent extra storage with minimal hassle.

Difference from Regular Cabinets

Unlike wall-mounted cabinets, stacked cabinetry attaches directly to your existing set of upper cabinets instead of being secured to the wall itself. They utilize the same floor-to-ceiling support system as regular cabinetry. However, given their petite size and weight, some additional reinforcement brackets may be required during installation.

For a streamlined look, stacked cabinet fronts typically align flush with those below. However, for ease of access, some homeowners opt to have their stacked cabinets project forward slightly. This creates a tiered appearance but enables contents to be reached more comfortably from countertop height.

Ideal Height and Proportions

To maintain visual balance, most stacked cabinets range between 30" - 36" in height, or about half the size of lower cabinetry. This ensures adequate headroom remains between the top of your stacked cabinetry and the ceiling after installation. A minimum of 12" of clearance is recommended, with 18" being optimal.

A good rule of thumb for proportions is that stacked cabinets should never exceed 50% the height of existing cabinetry. Going too tall throws off aesthetic balance and wastes valuable space that likely won't get utilized. Carefully measure your kitchen and consult our height/width ratios before purchasing stacked cabinets.

Benefits of Added Storage

From hiding little-used appliances to neatly arranging fine china, stacked cabinets keep lesser-used kitchen items organized yet easily accessible. Let's explore some of the storage possibilities these petite powerhouses have in store.

Store Lesser Used Kitchen Items

Is your kitchen overrun with niche appliances and seasonal cookware? Are you constantly reorganizing to make room for bulkier kitchen tools? Stacked cabinets help solve small-kitchen storage woes by housing those second-string kitchen items you only use occasionally.

Free up precious space in your everyday dish and cookware cabinets by designating stacked cabinets as the go-to spot for oversized platters, holiday dinnerware, standing mixers, and other seasonal or specialty items. With a place to tuck them out of sight, you'll restore order to the rest of your kitchen.

Showcase Special Dishware and Valuables

Forego standard cabinet doors in favor of glass-fronted stacked cabinets to elegantly display heirloom china, commemorative glassware sets, or decorative plates. Accent with puck lighting or LED strips to attractively illuminate your treasures while protecting them from dust.

Transformed into a decorative display case, your stacked cabinets become part of the kitchen's overall design aesthetic. They attract the eye upward to previously overlooked space, lending height and a finished feeling to modest kitchens.

Transform Small Kitchens

In awkward layouts and tight spaces, extra storage always trumps more counters. Stacked cabinets enhance small kitchens tremendously by utilizing vertical real estate instead of already limited ground area. Their relatively simple installation leaves existing cabinetry and floors undisturbed.

Solution for Awkward Kitchen Layouts

Does your kitchen have an odd shape that makes cabinets tricky? Are there sloped ceilings, soffits, or other architectural details impeding storage space? Moving upper cabinets higher to accommodate stacked cabinetry underneath may be your best bet for increasing storage.

For galley and L-shaped spaces, a second row of cabinets on one wall also maintains a more open floor plan compared to cabinetry lining every possible inch. Strategically placed stacked cabinets keep walkways clear while still adding storage.

Modernize Cramped Spaces

Stacked cabinets introduce height and visual interest to dated, boring spaces. The streamlined quality of their smaller size lends itself well to contemporary design, while glass-fronted models have that sleek, built-in look characteristic of modern kitchens.

Use this opportunity to upgrade lighting and hardware to better reflect your current style. New knobs and under-cabinet puck lighting blend old with new seamlessly while showcasing your treasured belongings.

Add Storage without Expanding Footprint

For rental spaces and historic homes where altering footprint or fixtures isn't possible, stacked cabinets are a game changer. Taking advantage of unused vertical space above existing cabinetry, they respect architectural constraints while still allowing updated storage.

Consider open-backed stacked cabinets to prevent overwhelming a smaller kitchen visually. While not enclosed, they still provide space to neatly store lesser used items.

Enhance Overall Aesthetic

Besides being incredibly functional, stacked kitchen cabinets also provide the perfect finishing touch for kitchen designs. Visually lighter than wall-to-wall cabinetry, they create decorative focal points ideal for showing off glassware, collectibles, or accent lighting.

Visually Appealing, Contained Look

The smaller proportions of stacked cabinets make them ideal display cases for treasured items you'd like to spotlight. Glass fronts offer full visibility while containing contents neatly--important in open concept spaces where kitchens blend with living areas.

Frame your best dinnerware sets between shelves and lighting. Or opt for enclosed stacked cabinetry with internal glass shelving to feature colorful mixer or appliance collections. Either way, contents are kept tidy instead of seeming cluttered.

Interior Lighting Possibilities

Show off display collections even when cabinet doors are closed by installing interior lighting. LED strips and puck lights illuminate interiors brightly without producing heat, making them safe choices for enclosed spaces.

Assign separate switches to control stacked cabinet lighting independently from main kitchen fixtures. Highlight your latest thrifted glassware find or freshly polished silver without keeping ceilings bright.

Preparation Is Key

Successfully installing stacked cabinets requires careful planning and expert execution. But don't let that intimidate you! Advance preparation sets the stage for smooth installation and years of optimized storage. Let's explore best practices.

Ensure Adequate Ceiling Height

Existing kitchens should have at least 12" of clearance between upper cabinets and ceilings to accommodate stacked cabinetry. For new construction or full remodels, 18" of space allows using taller cabinets while maintaining ideal height ratios.

Check clearance at both ends of your desired installation area, as ceilings often slope. Accounting for non-level heights during planning prevents finishing issues down the road. Our handy height calculator simplifies measurements.

Hire a Professional Installer

While ambitious DIYers may install their own standard cabinets, stacked cabinetry often benefits from professional expertise. The quirky angles and weight distribution inherent to upper cabinetry make Precision measurements and reinforcement essential.

Employ an experienced kitchen designer or contractor to handle installations for you instead. They have the insider knowledge to foresee potential issues and make recommendations for specialized brackets or supports if needed.

Cost Breakdown and Considerations

Stacked kitchen cabinets range widely in price, but expect to invest around half of what you'd spend on traditional cabinets. Actual costs depend on size, materials, and style preferences. Let's break down the numbers.

Factor in Installation Fees

While the cabinets themselves may cost only 50% compared to standard sizes, installation fees remain fixed. Remember to budget for the flat project rate your kitchen pro will charge for the work time, tools, and various fasteners needed to hang and secure your new additions.

Some specialty brackets or reinforcements could increase project expenses slightly. Discuss whether these items are typically included in quote versus added later upon inspection. Understanding the full scope prevents budget shortfalls.

Measure Carefully for Accurate Quotes

To receive the most accurate price quotes for materials, measure carefully! Even small discrepancies can bump cabinets into larger sizing with accompanying price jumps. Check widths, heights, and depths multiple times.

Photograph and sketch your space indicating potential problem spots like large ceiling beams or protruding vents. Save TIME and money by alerting installers to quirks upfront instead of running into issues mid-project.

Shopping Tips and Recommendations

From big box stores to custom designers, numerous outlets provide stacked kitchen cabinets. Let's explore where to shop and what to look for during your buying journey! Knowledge is power when making major purchase decisions.

Where to Shop for Stacked Cabinets

If you used a kitchen designer or independent contractor for your original cabinetry, check there first. Custom workshops that fabricated them initially have plans and measurements on file already for reference.

Big box home improvement stores also stock readymade stacked cabinet options in a variety of sizes and configurations. Expect to pay less but have fewer modification possibilities.

Material and Style Suggestions

Choose cabinet materials that either match your existing set or align with your intended kitchen aesthetic. Neutral painted wood blends well in traditional spaces while sleek laminates and metal-edged melamines shine in contemporary contexts.

Narrow glass fronts spotight dishware beautifully without overwhelming petite cabinets visually. But enclosed solid cabinetry containing adjustable shelving offers flexible storage for an array of items. Weigh options against your needs.

Simple Ideas to Maximize Use

Stacked cabinets simplify storage for oversized and specialty kitchen items. But just because they're secondary cabinets doesn't mean organizing principles go out the window! Incorporate these tips for user-friendly, accessible storage that makes the most of available space.

Creative Ways to Store Kitchen Items

Designate entire stacked cabinets for housing appliances, or partition interiors to separate dishware from serving platters using adjustable shelves. Install vertical dividers across cabinet floors for upright drinkware storage.

Slide heavy appliances forward on shelves for easy access, keeping lightweight glassware further back. Place everyday items within the front third of shelves and reserve rear space for rare-use pieces.

Tips for Easy Access to Top Shelves

Can't comfortably view cabinet contents? Stepping stools help shorter household members. For a built-in solution, have cabinets lowered slightly during installation. Or opt for open shelving instead of fully enclosed designs.

Maximize visibility by framing interiors and doors with glass rather than solid panels. Then accent with puck lights or strips at top and undersides of shelves to illuminate contents.

With their brilliant blend of form and function, stacked cabinets belong in any dream kitchen. Attractive, deceptively spacious, and simple to incorporate, they provide an easy avenue to much-needed storage without significant remodeling hassles.

By now you should have a thorough understanding of stacked kitchen cabinet particulars, from ideal proportions to creative storage solutions. Measure carefully, shop smartly, and reap the rewards through decades of optimized organization convenience.