RAIL GUIDE – IMPERIAL

WHEN THE CEILING HEIGHT IS LESS THAN 84"

If your ceiling height, or height from floor to a bulkhead, is less than 84 inches, there are some restraints you must consider.

If you have 30" wall cabinets, they will not sit at the standard Ikea height, so the distance from the countertop to the upper cabinets will be less than normal. The reduced clearance can be acceptable if it is only an inch or two and if you decide not to have a valence under the wall cabinets.

Also, if you plan to have a pantry cabinet, it will not be installed at the correct height, reducing the distance from the floor to the bottom of the pantry. This can be acceptable if the pantry cabinet sits alone, but if it is adjacent to a base cabinet, the pantry cannot line up with the base cabinet at the bottom.

Your choice of cabinets very much depends on the actual height available.

WHEN THE CEILING HEIGHT IS BETWEEN 84 1/2" AND 94"

If your ceiling height, or from floor to a bulkhead, is more than 84 1/2" but less than 94 inches, there are no restrictions if you use 30" wall cabinets and 80" high pantry cabinets. These cabinets can be mounted at Ikea standard height without any restrictions.

As you can see below, setups with these cabinets are the only available options, apart from "Something else."

If you only lack an inch or two to have an available ceiling height of 94 1/2", installing 40" high wall cabinets or 90" pantry cabinets could still be possible if you take a few things into consideration.

Those cabinets will not sit at the standard Ikea height, and the distance from the countertop to the wall cabinets will be less than IKEA recommends.

The reduced clearance can be acceptable if it is only an inch or two and if you decide not to have a valence under the wall cabinets.

Also, if you plan to have a 90" pantry cabinet, which, in this case, isn't installed at the Ikea standard height, the distance from the floor to the bottom of the pantry will be reduced. This can be acceptable if the pantry cabinet sits alone, but if it is adjacent to a base cabinet, the pantry will not line up with the base at the bottom.

If you decide to squeeze in the higher cabinets, i.e. 40" wall cabinets or 90" pantry cabinets, go back up and pick Less than 84" and follow the instructions for mounting the rail close to the ceiling.

WHEN THE CEILING HEIGHT IS BETWEEN 94 1/2" AND 104"

If your ceiling height, or from floor to a bulkhead, is more than 94 1/2" but less than 104 inches, there are no restrictions if you use 30" or 40" wall cabinets and 80" or 90" high pantry cabinets. These cabinets can be mounted at Ikea standard height without any restrictions.

If you only lack an inch or two to have an available ceiling height of 104 1/2", installing a 50" combination of stacked wall cabinets or a total of 100" pantry cabinets could still be possible if you consider a few things.

Those cabinets will not sit at the standard Ikea height, and the distance from the countertop to the wall cabinets will be less than IKEA recommends.

The reduced clearance can be acceptable if it is only an inch or two and if you decide not to have a valence under the wall cabinets.

Also, if you plan to have a 100" pantry cabinet combination (80"+ 20"), which, in this case, isn't installed at the Ikea standard height, the distance from the floor to the bottom of the pantry will be reduced. This can be acceptable if the pantry cabinet sits alone, but if it is adjacent to a base cabinet, the pantry will not line up with the base at the bottom.

If you decide to squeeze in the higher cabinets, go back up and pick Less than 84" and follow the instructions for mounting the rail close to the ceiling BEFORE you pick More than 104 1/2" to learn about the distance between the rails for the stacked cabinets.

Confused? Yes, I know it can be, but when you get the hang of it, no pun intended, you will see that it isn't that difficult.

WHEN THE CEILING HEIGHT IS MORE THAN 104 1/2"

If your ceiling height, or from floor to a bulkhead, is more than 104 1/2 inches, you can almost do whatever you want regarding installing cabinets - stacked or not.

The options below will cover any cabinet combination to a total height of 100" (plus legs), and if you want even more height, follow the exact instructions described in the various scenarios on this page.

Rail position - Base Cabinet Only

Putting up the suspension rail at the right height is fairly easy if you only have one or more base cabinets.

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height as shown here, which is an extract from the full video at the top of this page.

Rail position - Something Else

Please note: With a limited ceiling height, i.e. less than 84", you don't have as many options as usual.

1. Base Cabinet Rail: Find the best height as explained in this video.
2. For Wall Cabinets less than 30" in height: Measure from the bottom of the base rail and mark where the upper rails go. The distance should be 20" plus Wall Cabinet Height.
   1. Example: If you want to install a 20" wall cabinet above your base cabinets, the upper rail must be installed 20+20 = 40" (measured from bottom edge to bottom edge) above the base rail.
3. For Pantry Cabinets: Pick the previous option Base, Wall & Pantry
4. For Stacked Cabinets: Install the rail for the lower wall/pantry cabinet as described above. Now mount the upper rail at a distance (again from bottom edge to bottom edge) equal to the height of the upper cabinet in the stack.

Rail position - Something Else

Since one of the predefined setups didn't align with what you want to install, it is time for some "Rails - One on One."

Please note: The following steps do not take into consideration that the ceiling height might be reduced, i.e. less than 84", so be sure to pick that option, too, so you know which restrictions you are facing.

1. Base cabinet rail: Find the best height as explained in this video.
2. For wall cabinets: Measure from the bottom of the base rail and mark where the upper rails go. The distance should be 20" plus Wall Cabinet Height. Example: If you want to install a 20" wall cabinet above your base cabinets, the upper rail must be installed 20+20 = 40" (measured from bottom edge to bottom edge) above the base rail.
3. For pantry cabinets: Measure from the bottom of the base rail and mark where the upper rails go. The distance should be Pantry Cabinet Height minus 30". Example: If you want to install a 90" pantry cabinet, the upper rail must be installed 90-30 = 60" (measured from bottom edge to bottom edge) above the base rail.
4. For Stacked Cabinets: Install the rail for the lower wall/pantry cabinet as described above. Now mount the upper rail at a distance (again from bottom edge to bottom edge) equal to the height of the upper cabinet in the stack. This applies to wall cabinets and pantry cabinets. No difference there.
5. Remember. When you have pantry cabinets sitting next to a base cabinet, and for stacked cabinets, you must ensure that all the rails are vertically aligned. If they are not, the stacked wall cabinets will not be flush at the front and the pantry will not be flush with the base cabinet either. It isn't difficult but you must pay attention to these details in order not to face troubles when you start to hang the cabinets.
6. Important: Every minute spent on the rails, will save you ten-fold in time later. I promise.

Rail position - Base Cabinet & Wall Cabinet

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have restricted ceiling height, the wall cabinet cannot be mounted at the standard Ikea height. To get it as close as possible to the ceiling/bulkhead, follow the instructions in this video.

I do not recommend lowering the height of the base cabinet to gain more clearance between the countertop and the upper cabinets.  The solution to the lower ceiling height should be found in the choice of upper cabinets.

Rail position - Base Cabinet, Wall Cabinet and Pantry

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have restricted ceiling height, the wall cabinet and the pantry cannot be mounted at the standard Ikea height. To get it as close as possible to the ceiling/bulkhead, follow the instructions in this video.

If the pantry is adjacent to the base cabinet and the wall cabinet, which will be sitting lower than usual, the pantry cannot simultaneously line up with the base and the wall cabinet at the top and bottom. If you want to have a pantry in your kitchen when the ceiling height is reduced, it should be sitting alone or next to the fridge with no cabinets on the other side.

I do not recommend lowering the height of the base cabinet to gain more clearance between the countertop and the upper cabinets.  The solution to the lower ceiling height should be found in the choice of upper cabinets.

Rail position - Base Cabinet & 30" Wall Cabinet

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have no restrictions regarding the ceiling height, the wall cabinet can be mounted at the standard Ikea height.

However, do not determine the position of the upper suspension rail as per Ikea instructions. Instead, measure and make a mark 50" from the lower edge of the base rail. This is where you want the upper rail to be positioned.

Rail position - Base Cabinet, 30" Wall Cabinet & 80" Pantry

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have no restrictions regarding the ceiling height, the wall cabinet can and must be mounted at the standard Ikea height.

Do not determine the position of the upper suspension rail as per Ikea instructions. Instead, measure and make a mark 50" from the lower edge of the base rail. This is where you want the upper rail to be positioned.

As seen in the picture, keeping the correct distance between the two bottom edges of the rails is vital if the pantry cabinet is sitting adjacent to a base and a wall cabinet. Failing to do so, the pantry will not be flush with the adjacent cabinets at the top and bottom.

Also, ensure the two rails are vertically aligned where the pantry is located. If not, the pantry cannot be vertically level and flush with the base cabinet.

Rail position - Base Cabinet & 40" Wall Cabinet

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have no restrictions regarding the ceiling height, the wall cabinet can be mounted at the standard Ikea height.

However, do not determine the position of the upper suspension rail as per Ikea instructions. Instead, measure and make a mark 60" from the lower edge of the base rail. This is where you want the upper rail to be positioned.

Rail position - Base Cabinet, 40" Wall Cabinet & 90" Pantry

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have no restrictions regarding the ceiling height, the wall cabinet can and must be mounted at the standard Ikea height.

Do not determine the position of the upper suspension rail as per Ikea instructions. Instead, measure and make a mark 60" from the lower edge of the base rail. This is where you want the upper rail to be positioned.

As seen in the picture, keeping the correct distance between the two bottom edges of the rails is vital if the pantry cabinet is sitting adjacent to a base and a wall cabinet. Failing to do so, the pantry will not be flush with the adjacent cabinets at the top and bottom.

Also, ensure the two rails are vertically aligned where the pantry is located. If not, the pantry cannot be vertically level and, at the same time, be flush with the base cabinet.

Rail position - Base Cabinet & Stacked Wall Cabinets

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have no restrictions regarding the ceiling height, the wall cabinets can be mounted at the standard Ikea height.

However, do not determine the position of the upper suspension rail as per Ikea instructions. Instead, measure and make a mark 40", 50" or 60" from the lower edge of the base rail, depending on the height of the lower cabinet in the stacked setup.

In this example, I have stacked 30" + 20" high wall cabinets, as you see in the picture, but you can do whatever suits you. But it is vital to remember that the distance between the top of the base cabinet and the lower wall cabinet should be 20" without the countertop.

The distance from the wall cabinet rail's bottom edge to another's bottom edge MUST always be the height of the cabinet hanging on the upper rail, marked Cab H in the picture.

Also, ensure the rails for the stacked wall cabinets are vertically aligned is very important. If not, the cabinets will not be flush at the front.

Rail position - Base Cabinet & Stacked Wall + Pantry Cabinets

The lower edge of the suspension rail must be mounted 32 3/16 inches from the floor. However, since the floor isn't always horizontal, make necessary adjustments to the height, as shown here.

Since you have no restrictions regarding the ceiling height, the wall cabinets can be mounted at the standard Ikea height.

However, do not determine the position of the upper suspension rail as per Ikea instructions. Instead, measure and make a mark 40", 50" or 60" from the lower edge of the base rail, depending on the height of the lower cabinet in the stacked setup.

In this example, I have stacked 30" + 20" high wall cabinets, as you see in the picture, but you can do whatever suits you. But it is vital to remember that the distance between the top of the base cabinet and the lower wall cabinet should be 20" without the countertop.

The distance from the wall cabinet rail's bottom edge to another's bottom edge MUST always be the height of the cabinet hanging on the upper rail, marked Cab H in the picture.

Adding a pantry to the mix makes it more complicated, as you need to ensure that all the rails are vertically aligned. If they are not, the stacked wall cabinets will not be flush at the front and the pantry will not be flush with the base cabinet either.

It isn't difficult but you must pay attention to these details in order not to face troubles when you start to hang the cabinets.

Every minute spent on the rails, will save you ten-fold in time later.