I'd order 30', and keep the rest as it usually is. I'd use an upper trim then that will compliment the style, or build a soffit(if I'm using the right word)

Modern doesn't depend on cabinets' height. Modern was at its peak when ceilings were lower..))) There is the same thought behind the lower ceiling height choice, and the modern..

It won't make your kitchen less modern.

Go for slab fronts, either finished naturally, or-the other way around-are bright melamine..or combine both-very pretty. Keep the counter simple, color wise. You'll have a beautiful kitchen. Without having to tweak the number of things that maybe will turn be all uncomfortable in the end.

Is 36" not an option? If not, I'd go with the 30"

40" isn't even an option; it won't fit. 90-36-18=36" left for upper cabinets. And that's not even accounting for an uneven floor and ceiling, not to mention any kind of crown.

40" really will not fit. If you have to choose between 30 and 40, you should choose 30". We chose 40" for our kitchen which has mostly 95" ceilings. It has been very tight and difficult to make it work.

You will probably want some sort of trim at the top of the cabinet and that takes a few inches, and if you use any under cabinet lighting for the counters that can take up an inch or two because you will want to hide the lights with some trim there.

If you do 30":

• 36" to top of countertop
• 18" to bottom of light rail
• 1" light rail
• 30" upper cabinets
• Leaves 5" above the cabinets or less if you use a bigger light rail.

You don't need to leave that 5" above the cabinets empty. I would just put some nice trim above the cabinets. It can still be simple for a modern look.

I have ceilings about the same height and chose 36" cabinets, previously having had 33" ones. If I were doing it again, I might consider the 39" cabinets I was not aware were available. 40" and 42" just won't work with such a low ceiling.

As Livia mentioned, having cabinets go all the way to the ceiling is not recommended. Ceiling heights are rarely the same throughout the room and cabinets to the ceiling will highlight these issues - if they can even fit in all places!

Instead, use a minimum of 2-piece molding with one piece "filler" (flat panel - no detail) that can be cut to fit and a piece for the top that is the same all around.

We used 3-piece:

.

The middle piece (Stock-S) is the "filler". Our ceiling height varied by an inch or so throughout the Kitchen. To handle this:

• Three pieces:
  -- Crown - top piece
  -- Stock-S - filler piece in the middle
  -- SoffitA - bottom piece

• The bottom piece ("SoffitA") was installed on top of the cabinets. It's the same size all over.

• The top piece ("Crown") was installed on top of the filler piece ("Stock-S") and is the same size all over.

• The middle filler piece ("Stock-S") was installed b/w the Crown & SoffitA. However, the height of the piece varies. It was cut to fit b/w the Crown and SoffitA to account for the varied ceiling height.

The same can be done with two pieces - the equivalent of the "Crown" and "Stock-S" pieces.

Doing this makes it look like the Kitchen's ceiling height is the same all over and makes the cabinets look customized for your space.

The crowns can have very simple profile too..we went with something quite simple, and it turned out beautifully. They won't make your kitchen look less modern, but will, as people have said here already, make it look to your liking and customized. True words about how uneven ceilings and walls mostly are..you don't see it when you just look at it, especially when not close, but wait until you start fitting stuff..Crowns were invented for a reason.

Everyone, thank you so much for your help. The combination of everyone's answers has made me feel so much better about the 30" option. Thanks also for the other ideas and explanation of your own experiences. I really appreciate the time that you all put into your answers. We'll be going with 30" wall cabinets and will trim and crown and no lighting. Thanks again!!