What is the space under the kitchen cabinets called?
In architecture and the construction industry, the word usually refers to the underside of an exterior eave, arch or flight of stairs. In common usage, however, it's the word for the enclosed space between the top of the cabinets and the kitchen ceiling.
Do you have something above your kitchen cabinets?
If you have a kitchen with cabinets you know there are two options for a kitchen: cabinets that extend all the way to the ceiling or cabinets with something above them. Now that something may be empty space, it may be drywall, it may be glass fronted cabinet doors or it may be additional open shelving… but it’s something.
Where should you fill the space above the kitchen cabinets?
The wall next to the front door. That open spot under the stairs. And the space above the kitchen cabinets, where it seems as if something should go there…but what? If the styling in your kitchen seems to be lacking in some way and needs just the thing to create a finished look, filling that area above the cabinets might be the answer.
What is a wall cabinet?
The set back or cutout at the bottom of a cabinet that allows room for feet when standing in front of the cabinet. Cabinets that are mounted to the wall - differs from base cabinets which sit on the floor. Wall cabinets are typically 12" deep.
What is the wall above a cabinet called?
kitchen soffitA kitchen soffit (aka bulkhead) is something that majority of us have in our kitchens. They are often created to hide wires, pipes or other mechanicals in our kitchen. Sometimes they are even there to just fill the space above your cabinets.
Are kitchen soffits out of style?
While kitchen soffits were very popular in older homes, the style has fallen out of favor for many homeowners and interior designers.
Why are there soffits in kitchens?
What's a Soffit? A kitchen soffit is usually a boxy structure built to hide wiring, pipes, or other mechanicals, or to fill the space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling. Depending on the age of your home they may be very large and perhaps even extend out past the cabinets.
Can you remove bulkhead in kitchen?
Kitchen soffits sometimes known as bulkheads can be difficult to deal with if they are creating too much of a protrusion in your home. 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 fill the space above my kitchen cabinets?
11 Smart Ways to Use the Space Above Your CabinetsDisplay 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.More items...•
How do you modernize a kitchen soffit?
8 Ways to Deal with Those Awkward Kitchen Cabinet SoffitsFill in the space with trim.Fill in the space with a furr down.Fill the space with trim in a contrasting color.Get some really tall upper cabinets.Add a second row of cabinets.Add a window.Paint the wall the same color as the cabinets.Embrace it.
Are cabinet soffits outdated?
Kitchen soffits were once a necessary evil, used to hide ugly wiring and ductwork in the space above your cabinets. However, most people now find them to be bulky and outdated. In most cases, they loom over the kitchen, making the space appear dark and much smaller than it really is.
What is a kitchen bulkhead?
The term “bulkhead” is used to describe a wall that separates one room from another. In the context of a kitchen, it refers to any full-height partition wall that separates two portions of kitchen space or encloses an appliance. Typical examples are: base cabinets.
Should I build soffit above kitchen cabinets?
Building a soffit above your cabinets can help you hide unsightly HVAC pipes, wiring, or plumbing exposed in the space between your upper kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. It's also a genius solution to fill that awkward space too big for trim but too small for more cabinetry.
What is a soffit above kitchen cabinets?
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.
What can I do with a bulkhead in my kitchen?
3:437:04How to design around bulkheads - Design Lesson 20 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother way to deal with bulkheads is to decorate them. And bring attention to them in a traditionalMoreAnother way to deal with bulkheads is to decorate them. And bring attention to them in a traditional kitchen add mouldings.
What is a bulkhead soffit?
When you swing open the door there is a vanity, followed by a toilet beside it, and the bathtub shower combo at the end. Above the bathtub is what I would describe as a big box that is dropped down lower than the rest of the ceiling. This box is called a bulkhead, or soffit.
What is a soffit in a kitchen?
New luxurious wood kitchen with cabinets. It's called a soffit, from the French word "soffite," which refers to the underside of a ceiling. In architecture and the construction industry, the word usually refers to the underside of an exterior eave, arch or flight of stairs.
What is behind a soffit?
Behind the soffit's facade, you'll typically find plumbing, ducts and sometimes a support beam. The false front is meant to cover these utilitarian home systems as well as to prevent the tops of the cabinets from collecting dust and grease. Sometimes, the cabinets themselves are hung from the soffits, instead of from the wall. Besides hiding things, soffits typically provide a place to hang art, often decorative plates.
Why remove soffits in kitchen?
Or, they plan to install taller cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling. Because the soffits can sometimes conceal the kitchen's systems, and the ceiling inside them is not finished in the same manner as the kitchen ceiling, extra expense is involved in rerouting wiring and plumbing or redoing the ceiling to match. An alternative is to cover the soffits with wood, false doors or trim that matches the cabinets.
What is the cutout at the bottom of a cabinet?
The set back or cutout at the bottom of a cabinet that allows room for feet when standing in front of the cabinet.
What is a cabinet that does not use a frame on the front edge of the cabinet?
A cabinet that does not use a frame on the front edge of the cabinet The front of the cabinet exposes the sides, top and bottom of the cabinet box, the full width and height doors then cover the cabinet box to the edges.
What is a full overlay cabinet?
Full Overlay. A cabinet style where the cabinet door or drawer covers all of the cabinet frame so that only the cabinet door is seen with no part of the face frame visible. ...
What is plywood in cabinet construction?
Plywood. Layers of medium to softer woods glued together to form a strong cabinet building material. The wood grains of each successive layer run at different angles, this creates strength that exceeds solid hardwoods. Relatively easy to work with.
What is face frame cabinet?
The frame adds strength to the box and the cabinet doors are inset into the face frame for a clean look. Face Frame cabinets differ from frameless cabinets by adding this wood frame around the front of the cabinet, frameless cabinets have no front face frame.
What is the term for a thin layer of vinyl that is vacuum pressed onto cabinet doors and drawer fronts?
Thermofoil. A thin layer of vinyl that is vacuum-pressed onto cabinet doors and drawer fronts that are typically constructed of medium-density fiberboard. Creates an easy to clean surface, wide range of colors and the option for high gloss finishes.
What is a base cabinet?
Base Cabinet. A cabinet that sits on the floor. These cabinets usually support the countertops. They differ from wall cabinets which hang on the wall. Base cabinets are typically 24" deep, and vary by width.
What to display above cabinets?
Vases, vintage letters, and even books are ideal to display above cabinets. A series of pitchers filled with faux flowers is also an ideal way to fill the void. You want to make sure, though, that the objects are large enough to see once up high; a collection of salt and pepper shakers, for example, may not be the right scale for that spot. ...
What is the purpose of the space above cabinets?
The space above your cabinets can be built up to serve a specific purpose, like providing extra storage . Cleverly use the area above your cabinets to hold baskets, making for additional storage space in your kitchen.
What is a gallery wall?
Gallery walls are always a classic, decorative element to bring into any home. While they are timeless and traditional, it’s refreshing to see a gallery that’s presented in a new and different way. Leaning a group of similar style artwork onto each other and the back wall makes for an interesting visual, and using frames that are all the same color creates uniformity. Whether a collection of vintage oil paintings or black and white photographs, this design element is somewhat easy to accomplish and joyful to look at.
Where to hang art on wall?
If you have enough room, you can hang items on the wall in the space above your cabinets. Whether it’s framed family photos, mirrors, small macramé creations, or vintage baking or cooking tools, this extra wall space surprisingly caters to wall art of almost any kind—but flea market treasures seem to look even more charming.
Where to keep your collection of items?
You may enjoy collecting certain objects, but you may not have a specified place for them and end up keeping the pieces hidden away in the basement or a closet. If you haven’t been able to find the right place to showcase that collection, look to the space above your cabinets.
Can you put vintage kitchen scales in cabinets?
It may be that there's just not a spot for the extra rolls of paper towels, or the vintage kitchen scale won't fit in a cabinet or on the countertop. That's where the spot above the cabinets comes in handy. Display surplus kitchen necessities, cake stands, and trays, while mixing in a few decorative pieces for visual interest. Stick to one color palate for a streamlined look.
