How do you close the space above a kitchen cabinet?
Many homes have a space between the tops of their kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. This space doesn’t usually look very good and is begging for a renovation. The good news is that closing the space above your kitchen cabinets isn’t as difficult as you might think.
Since this is such a popular home improvement project, we wanted to go over some creative design ideas that we’ve seen over the years. But first, let’s start with why homeowners want to close the space above their kitchen cabinets in the first place.
Why Homeowners Close the Space Above Their Kitchen Cabinets
It’s very common for homeowners to ask us how to close the space above their kitchen cabinets. The biggest reason homeowners take on this particular project is due to its aesthetic. They simply don’t like the empty space.
This is why so many of the solutions are focused on improving the overall appearance of the cabinets, walls, or a combination of the two.
Creative Design Ideas for Closing Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
The best thing about closing the space above your kitchen cabinets is that there are several effective solutions.
Let’s take a quick look at some of our favorites:
Fill the Closing Space with Trim
If the space above your kitchen cabinets isn’t very big, this can be a very easy fix. All you need to do is add some trim that runs along the top of the upper cabinets to enclose the space. You can either match the color of the cabinets or use a contrasting color that matches your countertop. This creates a cohesive look and reduces the amount of space where dust might be able to collect.
Lower the Height of the Ceiling
When we say that you should lower the height of the ceiling, we don’t actually mean this as part of a huge construction job. This is what’s referred to as furring down, which is a process where the height of your ceiling is dropped with the use of framing and drywall. This is often used to conceal pipes or ductwork, but you can also do it to cover up a space that you don’t like.
Install Really Tall Upper Cabinets
If you want to make the space more functional, you can simply install really tall upper cabinets. After all, there’s no industry standard as to how much distance there needs to be between your countertop and the bottom of these cabinets. This means you can install upper cabinets that reach all the way up to the ceiling. It looks great and adds more storage space.
Add Another Row of Cabinets
If you don’t want to rip out your current upper cabinets to replace them with taller ones, then you should consider adding another row of cabinets within the space. This is a great solution because it’s a smaller home improvement job that will save you money and time while still giving you additional storage. Just remember that this is where you should store rarely used items since you’ll most likely need a stepladder to reach them.
Add a Window If It’s Possible
Some homes have the luxury of being able to install a window in this open space. This is actually one of the best solutions because it brings in more natural light and does a very good job at creating a unique look for the kitchen and the home in general. If a professional remodeler tells you that this is an option after looking at your kitchen, you should definitely consider it.
Match the Color of the Cabinets
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a large remodeling project or simply don’t dislike the space itself too much, then you might want to just paint the walls the same color as the cabinets. This will make the space less noticeable since everything will blend together a bit more. This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions.
Use It for Storage or Trinkets
If you were planning to remodel your kitchen but aren’t bothered by the space above your cabinets, then you might want to store certain kitchen items or trinkets in the space. Although this might not be the most functional solution, it’s a great way to give your kitchen a little more personality. It also works as a temporary solution until you can hire a professional for a full kitchen remodel.
Contact Avery Home Remodeling for Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling
Avery Home Remodeling employs the most experienced bathroom and kitchen contractors in Clearwater and the surrounding areas. If you need assistance with your next bathroom or kitchen remodeling project, reach out to us at (855) 447-9675 today.
