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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.
Is it outdated to decorate above kitchen cabinets?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.
How do you decorate a space above a cupboard?
15 Decorating Ideas for Above Kitchen Cabinets Bridge the Gap With a Backsplash. Add Texture With Woven Baskets. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. Create Killer Contrast. Install Over-the-Top Art. Create a Cookbook Library. Sneak Storage In. Pile With Houseplants.
How do you fix the space between cabinets and ceilings?
You can build the cabinets to the ceiling (most expensive option), keep the area open (no cost!), build a soffit to match the cabinets, or add a drywall soffit.
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.
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.
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.
Are kitchen soffits out of style?
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 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.
How do you decorate inside of cabinets?
Use complementary colors to give a stunning look inside your cabinets.Complementary Colors Blue and orange: If your kitchen is blue, paint the inside of your cabinets orange and vice versa. Red and green: If your primary kitchen color scheme is red, go with green cabinet interiors and vice versa.
How can I hide the gap between my ceiling and crown molding?
After you have nailed the crown molding to the ceiling, you may notice a gap between the ceiling and the crown molding. You can minimize the appearance of the gap by simply squeezing in some silicone caulk between the molding and the ceiling.
How do I fill a large gap between 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.
Can you remove soffit above kitchen cabinets?
A kitchen soffit can’t always be removed, but can often be disguised or covered up in ways that allow the soffit to blend in with the overall look of the kitchen.
How do I get rid of a drop ceiling in my kitchen?
To remove a dropped ceiling, break down the grid and remove it piece by piece. Start by removing all the grid panels and the cross pieces. Both simply rest on the runners, so you just push them up and to the side to remove them. Unhook or cut the wires attached to the runners and remove those.
How much does it cost to remove kitchen soffits?
The national average materials cost to remove a kitchen soffit is $0.25 per linear foot, with a range between $0.24 to $0.27. The total price for labor and materials per linear foot is $8.20, coming in between $4.99 to $11.42. A typical 25 linear foot project costs $205.04, with a range of $124.64 to $285.44.
Why is there a gap above kitchen 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.
Do kitchen cabinets have to go to the ceiling?
It is prudent to surmise that kitchen cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling are great for aesthetic purposes. You can decide to have some lighting in the front cabinets in order to avail some modern look in stark contrast to working with the open space just above the cabinets.
What is a Furr down?
The furr down is the enclosed area between the cabinets and ceiling. An enclosed area between the top of a kitchen cabinet and the ceiling is often called a “furr down.” Removing the furr down can give a kitchen a more open feel but it can also expose plumbing, wiring or duct work that may be hidden inside.
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 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 do you fill the gap between kitchen cabinets and ceiling?
Fill in the space with trim If the gap between your upper cabinets and the ceiling isn’t particularly large, you can fill it in with trim running along the top of your upper cabinets. This makes for a cohesive, built-in look, and a lot less potential for collecting dust.
Why is there a gap between cabinets and ceiling?
It’s simply blank space that is not being used. The space between the ceiling and the cabinets serves no purpose. However, as people who appreciate design and decor and perhaps as someone who is always looking for more space, you have an idea that odd corners and narrow spaces can always be enhanced in some way.
Should you remove kitchen soffits?
Removing the cabinetry will protect the cabinets and give you more space to work with for the renovation. After you remove the soffit, you will now have more space and design options for your cabinetry. Removing the soffits can also free up more storage space on top of the cabinets for your kitchen.
How do you fill the gap between kitchen cabinets and walls?
But don’t despair, you can make these gaps disappear fast and easy with a caulking gun and a tube of caulk. You can use a colored caulk matching either the cabinet or wall color or paint white caulk to give your kitchen a more detailed, seamless appearance.
Why is there a gap between crown molding and ceiling?
Crown molding ceiling gap happens because the rough lumber behind the drywall shrinks. It can be prevented by nailing the ceiling molding to the ceiling allowing it to float up and down on the wall.
How much space do you need between island and cabinets?
Your walkways between the counter and island should be 36 inches at minimum. Remember that the standard kitchen island height is 36 inches, with the average size measuring 3 by 6 1/2 feet. These dimensions can seem small, especially if you have a large kitchen.
Can you caulk between wall and ceiling?
Method #1: Using Caulk This method is the most time consuming, but it creates a very crisp, even line where the ceiling and wall meet. It’s the best way to touch up an already-painted room. Run a line of caulk along the opening in between the two strips of tape. Run a wet finger or ice cube along caulk to smooth.
