Thinking about floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets (also called floor to ceiling kitchen cupboards or tall kitchen units)? Here’s how to design, budget and renovate with confidence in Perth and across WA—without wasting a millimetre of storage or style.
Why choose floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets
- Maximise storage: Use the full height for pantry pull-outs, appliance garages and seasonal items.
- Streamlined look: Create a clean, modern wall of storage that makes small kitchens feel taller.
- Dust-free: No hard-to-reach gap above wall cabinets; easier to keep clean.
- Better integration: Hide a fridge/freezer, ovens and a broom cupboard within a cohesive bank of tall units.
- Increases functionality: More space for recycling stations, bulk goods and small appliances.
What are floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets?
Whether you call them floor to ceiling kitchen units or full-height cupboards, the idea is the same: a wall of storage that eliminates the dust shelf and adds serious functionality.
Key construction details
- Carcass materials: moisture-resistant MDF or plywood carcasses for longevity near wet areas.
- Door finishes: 2-pack polyurethane, melamine, timber veneer or thermofoil depending on budget and style.
- Hardware: quality soft-close hinges and runners (e.g., Blum hardware) for reliable daily use.
- Integration: space for 600 mm or 900 mm ovens, integrated fridge panels, microwave niches and appliance garages.
A boxed section built between the top of cabinetry and the ceiling to close gaps, hide services and achieve a built-in look.
A slim negative detail (recess) used with handleless cabinets or at the benchtop line to provide a crisp, contemporary finish.
Design insights for Australian homes
Ceiling heights and sizing
- Standard WA ceilings are ~2400–2700 mm. Allow for plinth/kickboard (100–150 mm), cabinet body (720–900 mm for base or 2100–2400 mm for tall units), and a bulkhead or scribed infill to ceiling.
- Use scribing panels to compensate for out-of-level ceilings and walls common in older Perth homes.
Appliance considerations
- Ovens: 600 mm or 900 mm wide. Check manufacturer’s ventilation clearances within tall oven towers.
- Fridges: integrated fridge/freezer panels require accurate width and hinge clearances; measure twice before cabinetry is made.
- Cooktops: follow minimum overhead clearances, especially for gas cooktops; induction cooktops simplify venting and reduce heat load near tall units.
Style direction
- Shaker kitchen doors suit heritage or coastal kitchens; pair with a stone-look splashback and warm handles.
- Handleless cabinets with finger-pull or push-to-open mechanisms deliver a sleek, contemporary kitchen.
- Coastal and modern Australian palettes love light timbers, white 2-pack and muted greens.
Our Perth renovation process for full-height cabinetry
- Discovery: We discuss needs (scullery vs. pantry wall, appliance sizes, recycling, cleaning storage).
- Measure & laser check: Site-measure ceilings, services and openings for a perfect tall-unit fit.
- Design & 3D: Layouts with elevations showing tall pantries, appliance towers and bulkheads/shadowlines.
- Material selection: Choose doors, benchtops, splashbacks and hardware to suit your lifestyle and budget.
- Compliance review: Clearances for gas or induction, door swing paths, child safety and lighting.
- Manufacture & install: Custom cabinetry WA-made with precise scribing to your ceiling.
- Handover: Hardware tuning, soft-close adjustment and care instructions.
Looking at kitchen renovations in Perth and surrounds? We also coordinate bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes for a consistent home style.
Materials, finishes and hardware
Cabinet carcasses
- Moisture-resistant MDF: stable and budget-friendly for most kitchen carcasses.
- Plywood carcasses: premium rigidity and screw-holding, great for heavy pantry pull-outs.
Door and panel finishes
- 2-pack polyurethane: painted, smooth and repairable; suits shaker or flat profiles.
- Melamine: durable and cost-effective, now available in excellent woodgrains and matt textures.
- Thermofoil (vinyl wrap): seamless edges on simpler profiles; avoid excess heat near ovens without heat shields.
- Timber veneer: natural warmth; seal properly near the splashback and appliances.
Hardware essentials
- Soft-close hinges and drawers for quiet, durable use.
- Heavy-duty pantry pull-outs for tall storage.
- Quality runners and corner solutions to access deep spaces.
- LED task lighting integrated under overheads and within tall units.
Benchtops and the engineered stone update
Many Australian kitchens historically used engineered stone benchtops. National safety reforms mean new installations are moving to alternatives like porcelain/sintered stone, high-pressure laminate, solid surface and natural stone.
| Feature | Engineered Stone (legacy context) | High-Pressure Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Very hard; resistant to stains/scratches (legacy installs) | Good everyday durability; use boards/trivets |
| Heat resistance | Moderate; avoid direct high heat | Moderate; hot pots can damage |
| Cost | Historically mid–high | Budget–mid, very cost-effective |
| Look range | Stone-like patterns | Huge range inc. stone/timber looks |
| Current availability in WA | New installs limited due to safety reforms | Widely available |
Note: Check current regulations in WA for engineered stone. Consider porcelain/sintered stone or solid surface for stone-like performance with modern compliance.
Layouts, styles and storage ideas for full-height cabinetry
Layouts that love tall units
- Galley kitchens: Tall pantry wall at one end with appliance tower, plus island prep zone.
- L-shaped with island: Use a tall run to house integrated fridge/oven/microwave and a cleaning cupboard.
- U-shaped: Tall pantry on the closed side; keep cooktop run open for workflow.
- With scullery: Floor to ceiling cabinets in the scullery hide the everyday mess and appliances.
Smart storage features
- Pantry pull-outs and internal drawers for full access to tall spaces.
- Appliance garage with pocket doors to hide kettle/toaster.
- Adjustable shelves up high for rarely used cookware.
- Integrated bins and recycling in a wide pull-out near the sink.
- Broom/vacuum cupboard with charging point for stick vacs.
Door styles and details
- Shaker kitchen doors bring character; pair with traditional knobs or slim pulls.
- Handleless with shadowline or finger-pull rails for a minimalist look.
- Mixed finishes: white 2-pack plus a timber-look melamine on the tall bank for warmth.
Costs and budgeting in WA
Pricing varies by size, materials, hardware and appliances. For Perth projects in 2025, typical guide ranges are:
- Cabinetry (including a tall bank to the ceiling, soft-close hardware, standard melamine internals): $18,000–$35,000+
- Premium finishes (2-pack, veneer, plywood carcasses, extensive pull-outs): $30,000–$55,000+
- Full kitchen renovation (cabinetry, benchtops, splashback, trades, appliances not included): $30,000–$80,000+
Allow additional budget for electrical, plumbing, flooring, plastering and painting after bulkhead works. Tall units add material and installation time but can replace the need for extra storage furniture elsewhere.
Two quick WA case examples
Case 1: Floreat family galley
A 2.6 m ceiling allowed a full-height pantry wall with an appliance tower and integrated fridge. We used melamine carcasses, shaker 2-pack doors and LED task lighting. Result: 35% more storage and a safer traffic flow around the island.
Case 2: Fremantle apartment refresh
For a compact space, we installed handleless floor to ceiling kitchen cupboards with shadowline rails and a broom cupboard. Laminate benchtops and a porcelain-look splashback kept weight and cost down while delivering a clean, contemporary kitchen.
Practical checklist: planning your floor to ceiling cabinets
- Measure ceiling height at multiple points (front, back, left, right); note any drops or beams.
- Confirm appliance models and sizes (600/900 mm ovens, fridge hinge side, microwave height).
- Decide on door style (shaker vs flat, handleless vs handles) and finish (2-pack, melamine, veneer).
- Choose storage features: pantry pull-outs, internal drawers, appliance garage, integrated bins.
- Plan power points inside tall units (coffee machine, stick vac, microwave).
- Check clearances for cooktops and rangehoods, especially with gas.
- Discuss bulkhead vs scribing for a seamless ceiling finish.
- Confirm lighting: LED strips or pucks in pantries and overheads.
- Set a realistic budget and a contingency (10–15%).
- Schedule trades after cabinet install (plaster/paint around bulkheads, splashback tiling).
Compliance and safety in Australia
- Follow AS/NZS kitchen assembly principles and appliance installation manuals for minimum clearances.
- Gas cooktops: adhere to current regulations for overhead distances and non-combustible surfaces.
- Tall cabinets should be anchored to studs/masonry to prevent tipping.
- Ventilation and power within appliance towers must match manufacturer requirements.
Helpful resources (external):
HIA,
Master Builders WA,
WA Building and Energy.
Why Joyce Kitchens
With an experienced Perth design team and local manufacture partners, we create custom cabinetry tailored to WA homes—from full-height kitchen units to bathrooms, laundries and wardrobes. We manage the details, from accurate site measures to beautifully scribed bulkheads, soft-close hardware and practical storage that suits how you live.
Ready to get started? Book a design consultation and see how floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets can transform your home.
FAQ
Are floor to ceiling kitchen cabinets worth it?
Yes—if you need storage and a streamlined look. They use every vertical centimetre, reduce dusting, and can house an integrated fridge, ovens and pantry pull-outs. They cost more than standard wall cabinets but can remove the need for extra storage furniture elsewhere.
Will full-height cabinets make my kitchen look smaller?
Not if designed well. Use lighter colours, vertical lines, handleless or finger-pull doors, and consistent door heights. A tall bank on one wall with an airy island keeps the room feeling open while maximising storage.
How do I reach the top shelves safely?
We design the highest shelves for rarely used items and can include an integrated step stool niche. Internal drawers, pull-down racks and well-placed LED lighting also improve access and visibility.
What do they cost in Perth?
As a guide, cabinetry with a tall bank to the ceiling starts around $18,000–$35,000+, with premium finishes and extensive pull-outs from $30,000–$55,000+. A full kitchen renovation typically ranges from $30,000–$80,000+ depending on materials, size and trades.
Can I retrofit floor to ceiling kitchen cupboards into an existing kitchen?
Often yes. We assess ceiling level, services and appliance sizes, then design tall units with scribing or a bulkhead. You may need minor electrical/plastering, and a new benchtop or splashback if layouts change.
Comparing flat‑pack tall units to custom cabinetry? Read our ikea vs kaboodle kitchen reviews before you decide.
If you’re planning to self‑manage parts of the build, our diy kitchen remodel guide covers steps, risks and sequencing.
