4 Ways to Spruce Up Your Kitchen Soffit

By Dominique Hill

​That space between your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling may seem awkward, but there are ways to spruce it up. Keep in mind that behind that the drywall above the cabinets usually contain wires, ducts, and pipes. However, that doesn't necessarily mean it can’t be updated. Below are 4 idea’s on how you can turn that space into something more appealing. 

That Empty Space

​Most modern homes have an empty space between the cabinets and the ceiling. The key to making this work without construction is to fill the space while not drawing too much attention to it. The easiest way to do that is to limit the textures, finishes, and colors. Also, leaving the same amount of space between the pieces creates a consistent look. The more consistent the collection the more it will look like an orderly part of the home that belongs there as opposed to awkward empty space.

​Closed Drywall Soffit

​The closed drywall soffit started in the 1960’s to hide wires, ducts, and pipes. It’s cost effective but can be seen as a little dated since today’s homeowners have been trying to maximize storage space. If you’re in a home with a closed drywall soffit try painting it the same color as the walls. Alternatively, if you have colored cabinets try painting the soffit the same color as cabinets directly below it.

​Open Wood Soffit 

​This option is preferred by many DIYers because this project is the easiest to customize to size of your space and it’s inexpensive. This modern open soffit appears as a natural extension of the existing cabinets that intentionally adds storage space. It takes fewer pieces to fill than a completely open soffit and the separated sections elevate the look of the overall space.  

More Cabinet Space

​Another option is extending your cabinets by adding more cabinets above them. Although, this would be one of the more expensive and time consuming options it does provide extra storage space with the option of privacy. One option is to extend your cabinets with a cabinets that match. Alternatively, you can add additional interest by adding cabinets that are cohesive with the overall look of your kitchen, but aren’t the same color or style as the cabinets below