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.
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. Below I'll share photo examples (and the why behind)
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.
Crown molding is a popular choice as it offers a timeless and elegant look, seamlessly bridging the gap between cabinets and ceiling. Styles of crown molding include cove molding, dentil molding, or even a simple scribe molding which can work well depending on the design theme you're aiming for.
Most homes have kitchen cabinets that are 32 or 36 inches tall, with an interval of 1 to 2 feet between the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling. There's a valid reason for this: most people can reach wall cabinets with this capacity while standing on the floor or using a ladder.
Solution: Fit an infill panel (with or without height reducers, angled ceiling brackets or spacer blocks) to give a professional floor to ceiling finish with no gap.
So, to summarise bulkheads are great because:
They can be used to hide unsightly features, such as wiring or ductwork. They can help define different areas of the kitchen. They can be used to make the kitchen appear larger. They are a great way to showcase your personality and style.
The wall above the cabinets is commonly referred to as a "soffit" or "bulkhead." It fills the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. Soffits are often used to hide ductwork, wiring, or plumbing but can also be purely decorative.
In the past, upper cabinets were generally either 32” or 36” tall, and so leaving a gap between them and the ceiling was standard. Today, many people prefer cabinets that reach the ceiling. It can give a cleaner, more streamlined look, and it increases a cabinet's storage capacity.
A bulkhead is used to connect cabinetry to the ceiling. The make up of your bulkhead depends on the layout of the kitchen. We've used an L-shape to show the different corner applications.
Some people are completely focused on having as much storage as possible in the kitchen and selecting 42" upper cabinets will definitely give you more space. It also helps make the ceiling appear larger by having the cabinets touch the ceiling.
A clever solution is to turn dead space into deco space, by lining up bottles or say cookbooks in a row by height. Adding modern appliances to old kitchens can often lead to some unusual gaps. A practical way to fill the space is with a trolley filled with kitchen supplies (this version here is only 45cm wide).
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.
Caulk can be used to seal not only cabinet gaps but also any other openings around the house. Before applying caulk, wipe down the surface with a moist cloth to remove any dirt or dust. Apply the caulk after the area is dry, beginning at one corner and working your way to the opposite end.
Shadowlines can run vertically or horizontally and are made by sitting cabinet door or drawer fronts forward from the cabinet frame. This design detail adds depth and highlights each part of the cabinet, and is popular in contemporary and minimalist styles as it creates clean, seamless lines and visual interest.
The cornice area is where walls and ceilings join.
Cabinets always go on subfloor unless there are ADA requirements for flooring under them. You're good to go.
A kitchen bulkhead is a lower portion of the ceiling, acting as a sort of “step” between one space to the next. A bulkhead extends from the ceiling and ends in line with the kitchen cabinetry.
FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS: A bulkhead, by itself, may not provide stability to a bank. If a bulkhead is placed at the toe of a bank that has been steepened by erosion to the point of incipient failure, the bank above the bulkhead may slide, burying the structure or carrying it seaward.
Originally called the "Pullman kitchen," the one-wall kitchen layout is generally found in studio or loft spaces because it's the ultimate space saver. Cabinets and appliances are fixed on a single wall.
Most homes built in the last 50 years have kitchen cabinets that are 32 or 36 inches tall, installed so there is a gap of 1 to 2 feet between the tops of the cabinets and the ceiling.
Use your kitchen cabinet tops as a space to stash things you have no room for elsewhere, like picnic baskets, decorative objects, or extra cutting boards.
As per the Buying Guides: The minimum ceiling height for hinged doors (or no doors/open plan wardrobe) is 202cm (for 201cm height PAX frames) or 237cm (for 236cm height PAX frames). This will require you to build the wardrobe upright.