I agree the cabinets look a bit too high, and functionally it may be hard to reach the uppermost shelves unless you're really tall. If you want the cabinets to go all the way to the ceiling, you might consider a small set of glass display cabinets on top of the main set of closed wall cabinets. It will likely cost you more, but aesthetically it will look better. See example photos below:

I actually think they look fine and a lot better than some hulking piece of crown molding to cover up a space at the top and you could actually raise the cabinets a bit higher than 18” from the counter which IMO is to small of a space anyway.

You have 54" to play with. Decide how much molding you want first. Do you want simple, or complicated? This is 9' with 30"H wall cabinets with 18"H cabinets on top, and 6" of a large cove molding.

You have several options.

1. You can double stack cabinets and use glass inserts and interior lighting.

2. You can do a coffered ceiling so the cabinets you have to use are shorter and still go up to ceiling. In you r case it would be 6" tall and the crown molding would be 6" as well to equal the 12"

3. You can nix the idea of all the way to ceiling unless you want 12" worth of molding....it can be done.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/maple-ridge-modern-country-home-kitchen-farmhouse-kitchen-vancouver-phvw-vp~94652952

4. Or create a soffit to help reduce the amount of molding needed. Not my favorite....

5. do 42" cabinets with a Crown and leave the space open on top. Yes they are tall but if you can store items that are over bought, seasonal, etc.

Not a fan of the valance by the hood....I would stop the crown at the cabinets only...no connection.....

Also how is the island going to be supported at the extension?? You can use these...if you do not want to use corbels....kitchen island supports.

Also doing something similar to Tina: We are going with 33" doors on the lower and 15" glass upper doors and a somewhat simpler crown molding - still 6 inches but with a stock piece included for out of plum walls. I can just reach the top shelf of the 33" (at 5' 5"). The uppermost glass shelves will be 'seeded' or 'wavy' and will be used to hold extra cooking items I rarely use as well as crystal dishes used only on holidays & special occasions - therefore, the upper cabinet space isn't really wasted.

Good luck with your new kitchen, whether you choose to divide the uppers or keep them as one door!

Liana, by the one one door comment I meant: When we do our upper cabinets, they will all be one cabinet 'box' for each cabinet, but will have 2 doors - a 33" H door and a 15" H above, attached to that cabinet 'box', rather than 2 cabinet boxes stacked on top of each other - cabinet boxes are rather pricey when done individually. It will look the same, whether it's one box and 2 doors, or 2 boxes each with a door. Alternatively, you can also do individual cabinet boxes across for the lower half, then a single box for all the uppers with doors on that single box (similar to a transom window). This would be for the stacked cabinet look.

Or if you prefer just one door to the ceiling, again it would be the same as using a single cabinet box with 2 doors on it - only you'd just have the single door.

I'm not expressing myself well today, so I hope I've not confused you!

Jennifer J. - your kitchen is stunning. What size are your upper cabinets?

I am new to Houzz browsing. We’re about to enter design center world for a new build, and I’m wrestling with this 9ft ceiling/cab decision. Bumping to say thanks for all these examples from the past few years!

If you're considering it, and it's in the budget, definitely bring the cabinets up the ceiling. It made a huge difference in my kitchen and makes it seem bigger

I too am thankful for this discussion, as I am also deciding on cabinets for our 9’ ceilings. I love the look of going all the way to the ceiling!

@Jennifer J, I think you hit the nail on the head with your design! Can you share some details? How high are your upper cabinets? How much space did you leave between the countertop and upper cabinets? And how much crown molding is up there? Thanks so much!

@Tina, what sizes are your double stacked upper cabinets? 33"/15"? How did you kitchen come out in the end?

@Liana, can you share pics of what you ended up doing? Thx

We brought them all the way up to the ceiling and added small glass cabinets on top. We couldn't be happier with it!

It came out beautiful! Your ceilings actually look higher than 9’ with that design. Was it 36”+12” uppers, then 6” moulding/trim that you did?

thank you! I believe so, but I'm not 100%. I know that these are Omega cabinets, and when we decided to go for this look, we were limited in the cabinet brands we could choose because my KD advised us to get cabinets that were all one piece instead of stacking the smaller ones on top of the big ones. They're still separate spaces but I guess built as one.

@Jennifer J, I love your tall cabinets going to the ceiling. What are the dimensions of the tall cabinet doors? Thank you!

Does anyone have any more photos of kitchens with 9' ceilings and cabinets up to the ceiling? (not stacked cabinets) thanks!!

@Jennifer J - what size are your upper cabinets/doors? Thanks!

jennifer j i love your cabinet design....very clean....and the inset style is perfect...what brand of cabinets did you use....

Liana your kitchen turned out just gorgeous!! I love the glass inserts

I'd be interested in the brand as well, @Jennifer J!! I had similar cabinets in my last house....one cabinet all the way to the 9' ceiling with crown molding for the last few inches. I don't prefer the double-stacked look but so far all the vendors are telling me it's the only choice.

@Brenda K the same with the vendors ive spoken with...ive read that many will only do MDF for a 42 and higher cabinet if not double stacked because the solid wood expands...what vendors have you looked at?

So far, we've looked at Schrok and Smithport. I had hoped to do plywood cabinets rather than MDF but regardless, both cabinet designers have told me that the taller cabinets are "impossible, no one makes them unless you use a tall pantry style and then the door frame will look funny". I know that can't be true because I had 48" cabinets in my last house and loved them!