I am installing new wall cabinets and all Australian sites say they should be 60cm above the 90cm kitchen bench. My current ones are this but my wife cannot reach the top shelf and I wanted to know if they can be lower.
Most US sites suggest 18" ie 45.7cm or less for that country's kitchens and I have to agree that this seems adequate, even taking into consideration any appliances to be stored or used (generating heat) underneath. Another advantage of starting 15cm lower is that the cabinet can be this much taller and the shelves can be arranged to store bigger items.
The difference cannot be due to the risk of banging your head on an open door - for a 60cm wide cabinet, the door will not overhang the benchtop. Even where an 80cm cabinet door may occasionally overhang the benchtop, are eye injuries less likely to happen at 150cm compared to 135cm?
Am I missing anything?
PS Does anyone know the standards elsewhere eg UK, Canada, Europe etc?