DIY Kitchens - raised base units

[NamedyChangedy]

Does anyone here have base units that are higher than standard? I've ordered a DIY Kitchens kitchen and am having second thoughts about the height, especially of the island. We're all quite tall in my family (bar DCs, but expect they will be eventually) and I think it might be more comfortable to have higher surfaces to work on.

DIY Kitchens only have 15cm plinths so I can't see how I'd get the worktop any higher. And they have some higher units but not the ones I need. Is there an easy way for the fitter to adapt the height without it looking rubbish?

[FrogFairy]

How much extra height do you want?

You could go for extra thick work tops. Your fitter could easily raise the height of the units, you could use end panels cut down although you would have the cut ends to deal with. Or you could use a different material for the plinths like stainless steel effect which might cost more but would give you what you want. If you are having tall plinths you could also consider having plinth drawers for extra storage.

[NotMeNoNo]

How about packing the worktop higher and trimming the gap with some wall unit pelmet (rather than the legs). If you look on extras in your chosen design, you can see what trims are available and could be customised. For example in Clayton there is a 50mm pelmet available in long lengths.

That would make it easier for someone to lower it in the future if you limit it to the island.

[NamedyChangedy]

Thanks both, I hadn't considered those options.

I've chosen the Luca Matt white, and dove grey for the island. So it could just be a case of ordering an extra tall end panel (2320x600) in each colour, and the fitter would make them into plinths of 30cm high each?

There's also a 50mm high Luca pelmet which could be an option?

I'm happy to order a few extra pieces within reason, if there's less chance of getting it wrong.

I don't know much about the actual fitting process so it's hard to know what's possible. I've asked the builder if I can discuss my plans with whoever is going to fit it but it hasn't been possible so far.

[PigletJohn]

you can fit bigger plinths. They're just strips of laminated chipboard. It's available in several sizes, or a timber merchant or some DIY shed will cut it to the width and length you want. If you want a fancy colour or woodgrain there arte merchants who carry a larger selection and will cut and despatch it to you at extra cost. Don't buy it until after you have fitted and adjusted your cabs and you can take the final measurement.

The legs are somewhat adjustable. I don't know the max and min height of yours, the supplier should know. The two parts of the legs telescope in and out of each other by screwing.

[JoJoSM2]

We had the same problem. Ended up with a DIY kitchen that's standard in height but too low for us. I think it isn't just the plinths - also the legs the side cover panels etc that come in a standard height only. Also, if you have any tall units, your base units come up higher and wall units are set in line with the tall ones, you end up with too little a gap.

We had a better solution in our last house. We got an Ikea kitchen with tall decorative legs (no kickboard needed). The legs were 3 or 5 cm longer than standard (I think). The range cooker looked a bit comical as we needed to place it on some bits of stuff for it to align with the work surface. We didn't have the wall and tall cabinet problem as we had open shelving instead of cabinets.

[user1469117700]

you would be better off ordering 900 high cabs and lowering the plinth to 120/100. 300 high plinth will look not too great and you will also not waste so much storage space
or you get made to measure doors and have what height you want

[ReviewTime]

I have family members who have this. They just made the legs and kickboards bigger.

It's totally worth it! No more sore back when washing up, no one else even notices.

[ReviewTime]

PS think theirs are 3 inches higher

[NamedyChangedy]

Big thank you to everyone that posted on this thread, your advice has been incredibly helpful - have spoken to the builder about making up custom plinths, to raise everything by just 70mm. I'll try to remember to post an update when it's all done and dusted (hopefully by end of Oct, if all goes to plan).