Table of Contents
11 Smart Ways to Use the Space Above Your Cabinets Display serving pieces. Use canisters to conceal clutter. Or bust out the baskets. Show off a collection. Display cookbooks. Store your wine. Grow something. Add another shelf.
What is the space above the cabinets called?
It’s called a soffit, from the French word “soffite,” which refers to the underside of a ceiling. In common usage, however, it’s the word for the enclosed space between the top of the cabinets and the kitchen ceiling.
Should you put anything on top of kitchen cabinets?
Use the space above your cabinets to decorate and display your collection of art. Treat this space as a gallery wall and add in different heights and textures to really make the space appealing. Bringing in some surprising elements like brass frames for some extra pop will really dramatize the room.
Is it outdated to decorate above kitchen cabinets?
As a general rule, if you have under 2′ of space above kitchen cabinetry, very tall armoires or built-ins, don’t decorate the space. All too often, doing so dates you to the 1990’s and the area does nothing but catch dust.
What is the space between kitchen cabinets and ceiling?
The space between kitchen cabinets and the ceiling is called “Soffit”. A kitchen soffit is specifically a boxy shape designed to cover up pipes, wiring, and other mechanical or to fill the gap between the top cabinets and the ceiling.
How do you fill space between cabinets?
For gaps less than 1/8-inch, it’s acceptable to use colored caulk or other products that come in a tube. If you plan on refinishing the cabinets, you can also use wood putty that dries hard to fill gaps or cracks. If the cabinets do not need finishing, apply color-matched caulking to the gaps.
Why is there a soffit above kitchen cabinets?
A kitchen soffit serves a purpose, which is typically to cover up and hide the necessary kitchen wiring, ductwork, and even plumbing. If there is nothing above the kitchen, there is a higher likelihood that there is nothing critical inside the soffit.
How do I keep my kitchen cabinets clean on top?
To keep the top of your kitchen cabinets (and tall armoires, bookcases and storage units) clean, simply tear a sheet the same depth as the cabinet and let it sit. It will collect the greasy, dusty goo that collects and then every few months you can change it out and ditch the collected junk. Easy peasy!May 5, 2019.
What is a kitchen soffit?
Kitchen soffits are usually installed above your cabinets, closing the gaps between the cabinets and ceiling. While kitchen soffits were very popular in older homes, the style has fallen out of favor for many homeowners and interior designers. The lower ceilings create a cramped atmosphere that can feel restrictive.
What do you put on kitchen soffits?
Here are some creative ideas for kitchen soffits : Add Moulding Border. Paint them. Add new cabinets. Cover Them With Artwork. Build a window. Place Plants. Cover Soffits with Beadboard. Use Sculptures or Books.
What do you store in upper kitchen cabinets?
Upper kitchen cabinets are most often used for storing dishes, glasses and dinnerware, but they can also be used to store spices, mixing bowls and small appliances, or even as a small pantry.
Why is there a gap above cabinets?
Most kitchen cabinets are built in standard sizes and, when mounted on the wall, they leave space up above which gives the installer some wiggle room when leveling the cabinets. This brightens the space, removes shadows and visually will lighten up your cabinet wall.
How do I extend my cabinets to the ceiling?
Four popular ways to extend kitchen cabinets to the ceiling are: Double-Stacked Cabinets. Bulkhead Trim and Crown Moulding. Bulkhead Trim Only. Multi-Panel Doors.
How high should cabinets be above countertop?
How high should wall cabinets be hung above the counter? “The standard distance is 18 inches” from the top of the counter to the bottom of the wall cabinet, Scott says.
How do you fill the space between kitchen cabinets and walls?
Tip. Fill larger gaps with expandable foam before you caulk to decrease the size of the area needing caulk. Clean dust and dirt from the wall and the cabinet. Apply a straight line of painter’s tape to the wall and the cabinet on both sides of the gap to prevent caulk getting into the woodwork and on the wall texture.
How do you fill the gap between cabinets and backsplash?
Use silicone caulk to fill the gap between any tile surface and cabinets. Caulk used to fill the gap between a tile backsplash and your cabinets will create a waterproof, flexible seal between the two surfaces.
How do I hide the gap between my kitchen cabinets and dishwasher?
Cover the joint between the panel and the existing cabinetry, if it is visible, using caulking or wood putty colored to match your cabinets. Place a bead of paintable caulking all along the seam and smooth it with your finger. Paint if necessary to create a seamless finish.
Are soffits above kitchen cabinets outdated?
Kitchen soffits are out of style, with fewer people retaining these fixtures in their homes and fewer still having them installed at all. Their outdated look often makes a room look smaller, and when building new kitchens, it’s better to free up that space for a bigger and brighter feel.
What can I do instead of soffits?
Can you remove kitchen soffits? Extend cabinets to the ceiling. Without a bulky kitchen soffit in the way, one option is to extend your upper cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. Incorporate more storage. Another option when remodeling is to modify or replace your kitchen soffit with new cabinet boxes. Add crown molding.
What’s the difference between a bulkhead and a soffit?
Soffits describe the area between the top of cabinets and the ceiling. Bulkheads describe the structure that fills in that area. Instead of empty space above cabinets, bulkheads are solid and box-like structures that fill in that wall soffit.
