Kitchen wall units all same height?

[shem26]

First post so not sure what I’m doing or where this will appear so sorry if in wrong place. I am currently having a kitchen fitted and have a bit of a dilemma. On one wall, I have the tall oven units and the fitter has put the wall units so the tops are level, which I understand. These wall units are above reduced depth base unit, so fairly easy for me to reach bottom and middle shelves (I’m just over 5 foot). However, the other two walls will have a 600mm worktop and an 800 worktop (cut down breakfast bar) as I wanted extra work space. Obviously the 800 makes wall units v difficult for me but decided to have a couple as wanted the storage and will store things we don’t use much in them (can use step). Units above 600 will be used often. So my dilemma is, do I get builder to place wall units lower on these two walls. I know it’s my kitchen, so I can do what I like but would be interested to know if anyone else has placed wall units with different gaps between them and worktop in their kitchen and how it looks. It’s hard for me to imagine it before it’s done . I could ask him to lower the two beside the oven housing but would that look more odd??? Fitter is back on Monday to finish. Any experience of this please? Can’t decide what to do?

All the same height for me because it looks neater. I just put crap I rarely need to access on the high shelves - back stock of kitchen roll, sandwich toaster etc.

All same height
I have a fold flat foot stool that gives me an extra 6- 8 inches if needed.

When I had my kitchen fitted about 10 years ago I remember discussing the height of the wall cupboards (I'm also vertically challenged)! I seem to remember that there was a minimum gap needed between worktop and wall units so this may need to be considered. I went with all mine in line and just had steps to access top shelves. I think it would have annoyed me if they were at different heights. I did have the worktop slightly lower than standard which brought everything down. They just altered the little black feet. But not sure if this would work for you if your worktops are different heights.

All the same height here, we put mostly light stuff in baskets on the top shelves so they are easy to lift down or rarely used stuff and use a stool when needed. You want a decent gap above the work surface if you are going to be using any sort of appliances there.

Same height without doubt.

All the same height definitely.

We have tall kitchen units so I can’t reach the top shelf but we have a fold up step ladder in the pantry which works perfectly for when I do need to reach. The extra storage is worth it.

Does visual asymmetry bother you? Some people absolutely itch to get up and straighten a crooked picture, rearrange ornaments etc.

Other people can have visual clutter and not even see it.

When I was designing my kitchen, I spoke with a designer who kept pushing me to separate my ovens to either side of my kitchen so it would look right. I value function much more, and wanted a cooking zone.

At the end of the day, you’re the person who has to live in the kitchen so prioritise your preferences.

Can you get additional cupboards above so the go to the ceiling? I don't think anyone ever regrets extra cupboard space for all the rarely used shit.

When our kitchen was re-done we had additional units on op so up to the ceiling. All our 'hardly used' stuff is stored up there but easy to get to. All wall units should be at the same level. Not easy/convenient to reposition if you later decide it's wrong.

Can never have too much storage and a small hop up/pair of steps can be used.

Alll level and if get my next kitchen to the ceiling as the top of kitchen cabinet the worse place even to clean and that extra shelf for cases and the turkey tray etc

My kitchen units are split across opposite walls of the room. The wall units on the side with the tall oven unit are higher than the units on the other side. It really doesn't bother me, and no on ever notices anyway, but it suited me to have it this way.
Do whatever you want, it's your kitchen!

Yes I’ll def need a step of some sort and partner is over 6 foot so realise his vision to worktop would be different. Get the idea of things looking symmetrical but having said that; wall 1 400mm worktop, wall 2 600mm, wall 3 800 and then turns for breakfast bar 940mm so all very different. Wall 1 is the only one with larder/oven units -these don’t meet any other wall due to door so worktops are all different. Just wondering about worktop 3 which is soooo wide. Thought maybe as long as I didn’t go below minimum worktop to wall unit gap I might get away with it. However everybody has replied as there is at the same height so maybe I should stick tonight 🤷‍♀️. Thank you!

Same height and an ikea step stool!

It’s interesting you said no one notices. Mine wouldn’t be beside each other. Thanks for your input. Great to get an alternative view

My colleague just had this, she went with lower wall units on the run separate to the tall units.

Can you put up some cardboard and see if it looks okay visually?

Yes that makes sense. I’m putting my ovens above each other as that seem sensible in out layout.

Thank you. We will prop a spare wall unit at different heights and see what we think.