Another trick that can work for either an unlevel or a wavy ceiling is varying the topography of the wall cabinets. Using some deeper cabinets and some shorter ones and then wrapping the tops with crown can hide variations in the ceiling.
Mainly it is a matter of cost and ease of installation. 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.
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.
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.
It's better to keep things more accessible,” Ashley says. Always work with your designer to determine what height will look best in your space. “Leave a foot or more between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling. This looks intentional and gives your kitchen the polished, elevated look you're seeking.”
To fill in the space over your cabinets, you basically build a frame and then attach plywood sheeting to the frame. We chose to add crown molding so we needed the frame to also have somewhere to nail the molding.
Is decorating above kitchen cabinets outdated? The short answer is no.
A practical way to fill the space is with a trolley filled with kitchen supplies (this version here is only 45cm wide). If you don't want your trolley on show a crafty solution is to use a curtain cover up. Even tall vertical gaps can be put to good use.
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.
Ceiling-height cabinets can create a claustrophobic feeling in a small kitchen. Cabinets that run all the way to the ceiling can turn an otherwise large room into a cramped feeling space. That is why it is important to understand your design preferences before making a decision.
Countertops are typically installed after flooring, cabinets, and appliances. This is true for both new builds, and remodeling projects. Since countertops sit directly on the cabinets, the cabinetry must be installed prior to the final measurements, fabrication, and installation.
If you think they look too crowded or you like the way cabinets look when they have some space above, then ceiling-height cabinets may not be the right choice. Some homes also have non-standard ceiling sizes. You might, for instance, have a soaring ceiling on one side that slopes down throughout the kitchen.
Leaving soffits on top of your cabinets
Soffits are completely out of style and so almost all sensible kitchen renovations will require removing the soffits, sometimes called “bulkheads” by homeowners.
A kitchen soffit is a closed-in area above the cabinets. Soffits were a popular design included in homes in the mid-to-late 1900s. Today, however, homeowners don't appreciate the boxed-in feeling soffits give a kitchen, especially those extending past the cabinets' face.
The main benefit to removing the soffits is more storage space. In addition, the ceilings in the kitchen will appear taller if you install cabinets that touch the ceiling. However, the additional space may not be practical to use.