Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Dec 14, 2008 7:49 am I am having a new kitchen installed mid Jan. Our house has standard height walls but the current (20 yr) kitchen reaches to the ceiling. New kitchen will not go as high, but installer says some people put in a bigger bulkhead, while others just leave the space open. Not sure what that would look like, but am hoping someone out there has opinions and photos of their kitchen bulkheads. Put bulkheads in or leave the space open - that is the question! Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 2Dec 14, 2008 8:21 am gersy1964 I am having a new kitchen installed mid Jan. Our house has standard height walls but the current (20 yr) kitchen reaches to the ceiling. New kitchen will not go as high, but installer says some people put in a bigger bulkhead, while others just leave the space open. Not sure what that would look like, but am hoping someone out there has opinions and photos of their kitchen bulkheads. Put bulkheads in or leave the space open - that is the question! If your house has a standard ceiling height (2400) , then bulkheads are NOT necessary. There is no excuse for any cabinetmaker not to go right up to the bottom of the cornices, if your ceiling is the standard 2400 high The colour board we use is 2400 long Best Price Wardrobes Sliding door robes | Walk in robes Deco panel | Mirror | Melamine 26 to 28 Cottage lane Hackham M: 0402 927 376 http://www.bestpricewardrobes.com.au Trade welcome Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 3Dec 14, 2008 9:42 am I agree with Kevin - your kitchen should be designed for maximum storage opportunities.
It doesn't matter if you can't reach the top shelves, that's what step ladders are for. Most people I have met have quite a few kitchenware items that they do not use very often but still need somewhere to live (or hibernate). If your kitchen only finishes at say, 2100, (which is more common than I would like it to be) then the justification for putting bulkheads up to the ceiling is that you will never need to clean the tops of your cupboards. If dirt and grease on top of your cabinets doesn't bother you then they are fine as they are and you can believe me that they will get dirty and greasy - I have a wonderful time measuring up kitchens for renovations and having to try and discretely wipe my hands afterwards. Some people like to use the tops of their cabinets as display spaces for any number of objects - but once again, be prepared to clean these on a regular basis if you do; I have to say I haven't met many people who do... Cheers, Earl Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 4Dec 14, 2008 11:25 am I agree 100% on the dust & filth issue. An open space up there is absolutely awful - looks terrible as well. But I also don't like cupboards that are too high to easily reach - it just encourages you to hoard useless junk. I'd much rather have a bulkhead. Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 5Dec 15, 2008 6:46 am Hey thanks everyone for the opinions (this is just the greatest site I have ever stumbled upon!). My previous home had cathedral ceilings and the tops of the cupboards were truly shocking when I did the big annual clean. I definitely must have cupboards either meeting the cornices or with the bulkhead. I guess there is no point in only half finishing the kitchen. Thanks. Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 6Dec 15, 2008 9:46 am Have a look here, we have some pics of kitchens with and without bulkheads.
http://customeuropeancabinets.com.au/page3.html The second last kitchen needs to have their bulkheads painted the colour of the house, and cornices added. We are yet to get completed photos of this one. I plan on having mine open, as Id like to make a lighting feature over the capping but alot of people choose to close it up for the cleaning factor. Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 7Dec 15, 2008 9:56 am Bulkheads rock.
Having owned a faux heritage house with fancy cornices, ceiling roses and skirtings, we have opted more for a more modern look. I hate anything that catches dust or needs maintenance to look good. The top of kitchen cupboards just collect dust, grease and cobwebs - along with grandma's porcelain platter. Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 9Dec 20, 2008 12:43 pm I agree with bulk heading, much more convenient and cleaning friendly.
Im not 100% on 'cupboarding' to the ceiling or cornice particularly if you cant reach. Sure step ladders would be the answer but people are generally lazy and want everything at an arms reach. Each case is different however:) And yes if your a horder do not even consider these cabinets!!! Kitchens are like finger prints, no two are ever the same!! SmartPack did the kitchens for Channel 9's Home Made TV Show Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 10Dec 20, 2008 1:12 pm Donuts, that's an interesting picture for the 'pro-bulkheaders' to ponder. Bulkheads would certainly chew up a lot of space and cause some interesting aesthetic problems around the doors. On the other hand I think the row of cupboards looks a little bit 'lonely' on that big wall.
Ideally I always think the cupboards should look like they've been 'inset' into the wall, rather than the wall being 'bulked up' to meet them. But that's the ideal world where so few ever tread. Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Bulkheads in the renovated kitchen - do we need them? 11Dec 30, 2008 2:30 pm we have a bulk head over our cabinets upto a 3000 ceiling, but we only have above bench on one 3500 long wall, so it doesn't seem out of place like that picture might. I haven’t. But have a Lowe Design home. Not only did I find Matt Lowe patronising and a bully, but the home is NOT TO CODE. I have water coming through the bricks… 1 14366 Hi everyone. I am a single mother with little daughter, living in a small tourist town in WA Australia. I am thinking to install security screens to all the doors and… 0 24772 Levelling compound Ardit is the best but buy a bag of sand and make sand dam to protect your wood floor 2 15253 |