Base Cabinet Height Changes the Look

[Russell Hudson]

One of the most standard of cabinet configurations is the 'hutch' (also referred to as a 'hutch & base'). It consists of a unit of shelves placed above a lower cabinet ( that has either doors or drawers). Most often the base cab is deeper than the upper cab. This format has proved to be so useful that virtually every kitchen is made this way.
I have written the following on my website ( on a page called 'design & construction')… 'The primary purpose of a piece determines it's shape, it's size & it's location in the home or office.' In other words… "form follows function". This is perhaps, the most important axiom in utilitarian design. Simply put, a thing looks better when it's appearance reflects what it was made for.
Having built more in this configuration than I can count after 30 years in this business, I've come to realize that the most notable variation in this look… is with the difference in height of the base cabinet(s).
I've built base cabs as short as 16" in height and as tall as 54". All according to the what they were to be used for…. but what I can't help but notice is how interestingly different they make the cabinetry/furniture appear.
Let me give you some examples…




http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/smithbureau_zps2fc58a12.jpg
54" high bedroom dresser


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/bureaudiag-1_zps552d6535.jpg
47" high bedroom dresser (notice stained top & pulls / outside, vertical edge is a large chamfer with an applied bead)




http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/DSCN0130_zpseae5e7b3.jpg
one of a pair of breakfast room built-ins / 36" high




http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/bedroom_zpsb5d8b3fa.jpg
30" high / clothes & TV storage... for their bedroom




http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Gaverts_windowseat_zps22fe2d37.jpg
17" high window seat




http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Gavertsbookleft_zps68ab200d.jpg
home office / (20" H) single stack of hanging files allows more bookshelves


We once built a libraryroom where every wall was covered with cabinets configured like this last example you see above / these many years later I was told family members actually stand on the bottom cabinet to access books on the top shelves (thereby avoiding the need for a step stool) / though she won't allow anyone to do that without removing their shoes first. (well… I should hope not!)


we have a good sized gallery on our site if you feel like checking it out


Russell Hudson / Hudson Cabinetmaking, Inc. (clicking on my name at beginning of article will show a link to the home page)

[Peter Quinn]

Beautiful work and an interesting observation. Its nice to see all those site lines in order. Base molding, window stools wrapping into base cabs, excellent custom touches that make the difference between well designed custom work and stock or inferior work. Bravo and thanks for the pics.

[Mel Fulks]

I like traditional design .My favorite here is the green one in the corner . I think the only weak point is the large wall unit with segments of different radii all in same height .Too modern for me ,but I realize the computor likes them.

[Mark Bolton]

Definitely shows how drastically proportion can effect the personality of a piece of furniture.

[Gordon Eyre]

Beautiful work. Very interesting to see the difference proportion can make in a piece. To me this is most apparent in example #1.