Can’t build out? Build UP.

We’re working on a kitchen design for a client right now that incorporates an additional ledge of countertop surface area. It sits between the backsides of the cabinets and the wall to which they are secured.

Basically, we framed out a 40″ high wall up against the exterior wall, & it will be capped off with a piece of quartz matching the main countertop.  It doesn’t have to match, necessarily; it could be stainless steel, for example.

Pros & Cons

Obviously, a plus is the additional storage surface area gained.  It could be used for anything from spices to small herb growing containers to a handy book notch.

As for the negatives, it does gobble up 6″ of floor footprint real estate, and it adds to the cost of materials & labor. So if it is already a very narrow space, or the budget is super tight, it wouldn’t be a great option.

Outside the box

There are multiple ways to gain the extra shelf. One is to frame the additional wall described above.

Another is to use  stand-off hardware & make a 5 ” or 6″ deep elevated surface. The bonus with this method is that the space under it is still usable.