Space above the kitchen cabinets called the cabinet soffit, can be decorated with accessories like molding. Moldings are used in cabinetry design to “finish off” a space, including the space above kitchen cabinets, and enhance both functionality and aesthetics.
A kitchen soffit is a structure that extends down from the ceiling to cover the space above the upper cabinets. Soffits can be made of drywall or wood and are usually the same depth as the cabinets they are covering.
Crown Moulding. Goes on top of the cabinet. May or may not connect cabinet with the ceiling. Base Moulding. Goes on the bottom of the cabinets and typically connects with floor.
The space above your cabinets is just right for items you only reach for once in a blue moon like cake stands, big serving boards, and decorative pieces. They're meant to be shown off, so pop them up there when not in use and you'll get to look at them all year-round.
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.
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.
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.
A bulkhead is a lower portion of the ceiling and is predominantly installed for functional reasons: to conceal services, to project air conditioning and to mask changes in ceiling heights. But kitchen bulkheads can also serve as decorative design features, as well as defining the kitchen area in an open-plan setting.
The section at the bottom of your base cabinets, commonly known as the “kick space” or, more accurately, the “toe kick on cabinets,” is an ingeniously designed notch that enhances kitchen comfort and usability.
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 molding on top of kitchen cabinets is called crown molding. It is available in various styles and sizes to fit any design. This molding is often paired with starter/riser molding.
The pelmet is a smaller trim that goes around the bottom of the cabinet. They are also useful in hiding worktop lighting, and adding depth and length to the cabinet, working perfectly within a handmade kitchen.
Crown molding is decorative trim that is added to the top of your cabinets. The benefit of installing crown molding is that it draws the eye upward, showcasing the elegance of your cabinets. Crown molding can either bond with the ceiling or allow for space above the cabinet.
Upper Cabinets (also known as wall or overhead cabinets) are perfect for getting the most storage space into your kitchen area. These cabinets are typically affixed on the wall above your bench, and come in a variety of single & double door units, open shelving units as well as cabinets to accommodate rangehoods.
This is the standard type of countertop overhang seen in a kitchen or bathroom. As a homeowner, you should plan on having an overhang of at least an inch and up to an inch and a half. This overhang helps prevent your cabinets from being damaged by spills or other common kitchen mishaps.
A bulkhead is a horizontal structure that extends from the ceiling, typically ending at the top of cabinetry. In contrast, a soffit is a horizontal box-like structure installed beneath a roof overhang. While both serve to conceal elements and create a finished look, their placement and primary functions differ.
Things like heating and cooling ducts, drainage pipes, water pipes, and electrical wires can all be found inside soffits. Many times it is unavoidable, especially with plumbing because it is gravity-fed, requiring space for the pipes to drop and contents to run downhill.
Raked ceilings are typically found in the open plan living area and follow the shape of the trusses and beams in the home, rather than having a flat ceiling. Think of a cathedral ceiling, that peaks in the middle and elongates the room.
Expanding foam is a multipurpose option for bigger gaps; it can be cut and painted to match the cabinetry and walls perfectly. Carefully choosing the filler material will provide a flawless appearance and forestall any potential gap problems down the road. Assess the gap size and the colors of your cabinet and wall.
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.
Place dishes, glassware, and food on the lower shelves of the upper cabinetry. Items only used occasionally such as pitchers, platters, serving bowls, and cookbooks should be kept on the highest shelves of the upper cabinetry section.
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.
In a typical family home, wall-hung kitchen cabinets measure between 32 and 36 inches tall, leaving a space of around one or two feet above. There is a valid reason for the gap between the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling; this is the height that most people can reach by standing on the floor or by using a ladder.
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.