Nobody Thinks About the Dishwasher Until They See One Like This

Dishwashers have occupied the same spot beneath kitchen counters for decades. Every load starts with bending to reach the bottom rack, and most homeowners accept that as part of using the appliance.

When Reddit user u/here_for_tea7777 asked whether a raised dishwasher was worth adding during a kitchen renovation, the discussion filled with homeowners who had already lived with one. Instead of talking about the appliance itself, they described how much they noticed the difference each time they loaded or unloaded dishes.

Most Dishwashers Still Sit Beneath the Counter

The standard layout places the dishwasher beneath the countertop beside the sink. Plates, bowls, pots, and glasses all need to be loaded from a position close to the floor.

One reply came from u/RandomTouristFr, who grew up with a raised dishwasher before installing a standard model later. “I think the raised dishwasher is better,” the commenter wrote after comparing both layouts.

The Appliance Moves Into a Tall Cabinet Instead

Instead of sitting at floor level, the dishwasher is built into a tall cabinet with storage beneath it. The lower rack moves closer to waist height, reducing how far someone reaches while loading or unloading dishes.

The original poster asked if the change was “life changing.” The replies focused less on the installation and more on the habit of bending over every day. Several people said they would include the feature again if they remodeled another kitchen.

Closed Doors Make It Blend Into the Cabinetry

With the door closed, the dishwasher looks like another cabinet instead of a separate appliance. The space below becomes storage instead of an empty toe kick.

Another homeowner, u/No_Capital_8203, said their dishwasher had been mounted about 14 inches above the floor for 23 years without problems. Others noted that the tradeoff is losing some countertop space beside the sink.

The Idea Changed More Minds Than the Appliance

Not everyone preferred the layout. Some people said they would rather keep the extra counter space, while others felt the dishwasher shown in the original photo sat higher than necessary.

Even so, one response summed up the discussion. After seeing the raised installation for the first time, u/Morning0Lemon wrote, “You’ve just changed my life. I had no idea this was possible.” That reaction appeared again and again throughout the conversation as homeowners realized the dishwasher did not have to stay beneath the countertop.

If you were remodeling your kitchen today, would you keep the dishwasher under the counter or move it higher?