When laying out your cabinets, consider varying the heights and depths. This will:

• create a unique look
• avoid the "cabinet box after box after box" look that was common years ago
• add dimension to the room

How to Make it Work

• The look has to be symmetrical, so put some thought into the design.
• You need balance, too -- if you have one taller cabinet on one side of the kitchen, put another one in a place that adds balance
• With an L-shaped kitchen, try adding taller cabinets (42 instead of 36?) on the ends and middle (with a corner cabinet).
• Put taller cabinets on each side of a decorative sink
• Instead of having all the cabinets flush, put a deeper (by 3 inches) cabinet in a few key areas.

Also consider:

• Taking the doors off of a few cabinets. Use them to display interesting knick knacks or put a curtain rod across the space, add a decorative curtain and let the fabric make a statement.
• Adding some glass to your cabinet doors. The glass adds sophistication, lets more light in and lets you display your fancy glasses and dishes. This also lessens the visual weight in the room. The look is particularly effective if you have cabinets over an island.
• Using a different stain or finish on your island cabinetry. It should blend with the rest, but this will set the island apart.