Kitchen soffits, or otherwise known as bulkheads, can sometimes be an eyesore if they protrude too much into your kitchen. If you think your kitchen would look better without them, it’s important to first check to see if removing them is a viable option. Despite them being unsightly in some kitchens, soffits are usually there for a reason.
So Why Do I have Them Anyways?
Kitchen soffits typically hold important wiring, ductwork, and sometimes plumbing within drywall that would otherwise be exposed. The soffits are built around these key components to keep them hidden and out of the way. Not all soffits have these parts in them however. Sometimes they are installed in conjunction with cabinets so that there isn’t a large gap between the ceiling and the top of the cabinet. The only ways to tell if your soffit has important plumbing, wiring, and other key parts is to either drill a hole into an area you would suspect to have these things and check inside, or consult your home’s original building plans.
So What if There Are Wires, Ducts, or Pipes?
If your soffits do have components in them, don’t fret! It is still possible to remove some soffits even if they aren’t empty. The difficulty and cost varies depending on what kind of things are inside of your soffits however. For example, if there is only wiring in the soffits above your kitchen, removing the soffits and then re-routing the wiring through the walls instead won’t be as difficult or as expensive of a project. However, if you find ducts and plumbing within the soffit, you will most definitely need to hire additional contractors to move these critical components. Re-routing ducts and plumbing is tedious work and might not be possible if there isn’t enough room in the walls. Even if it is possible, getting everything moved safely and to code will be costly as well as time consuming.
What to Do Before Removing Or Modifying Soffits:
Soffits are typically constructed from drywall, so taking them down completely or making any modifications to them can be messy work. Before you begin cutting into the soffits, make sure you know where all critical components are and mark them beforehand. This will help you remember not to cut into those areas and risk ruining the ducts, wiring, or pipes that could be in your soffits. Also be sure to turn off all power running through your kitchen, just in case you do cut into a wire on accident. When you begin knocking down the soffits, things will get very dusty and messy due to the nature of drywall. It’s recommended to wear goggles and a face mask to protect your lungs and eyes from the dust that will be present in the air when tear the soffits down.
What If There’s Too Much Stuff In My Soffits to Remove Them!?
Have too many components inside your kitchen soffits? No worries! You can still make your kitchen look stunning while still having soffits exist in your space. There are many ways to “disguise” your soffits to make them look more appealing and less claustrophobic. The biggest thing to keep in mind when redesigning you soffits is to make them custom to the rest of your kitchen and cabinets. You want the soffit to mesh well enough with the surround environment that they don’t look like a random protruding box on your ceiling.
1. Install Custom Cabinets
If your soffits didn’t look very nice in your kitchen before, it was probably because your cabinets and soffits weren’t flush. Installing custom made cabinets that will be flush with your cabinets will make your ceiling look taller and more spacious, as well as give the impression that the cabinets and soffits are one piece. Speak with your contractor about what measurements and cabinet placements will give the best look for flush soffits and cabinets.
2. Use Crown Molding
Adding crown molding can make a world of a difference despite being a pretty simple solution. And it doesn’t require any kind of tear down of your existing soffits! Adding some crown molding around all your soffits in the kitchen can add some extra elegance and style to an otherwise dull part of your kitchen space. Crown molding will give your kitchen a nice homey and traditional look and typically look best in white, but can be done in any color to match the rest of your kitchen.
3. Use Pillar-Like Soffit Extensions
You can disguise your soffits as structural beams if you extend some of them down to the floor like a pillar or beam. This can make the soffit look as if it a wooden beam that offers some sort of support to the rest of the house. You can also add real beams beneath the soffit that connect to it so that the disguise is more convincing. Painting your soffits a different color as the rest of your kitchen walls can also achieve this look.
4. Make Your Soffits Thicker
You may be thinking: “Make them thicker? Won’t that just make them even MORE noticeable and ugly?” Au Contraire! If you extend your soffits farther so that they’re flush with your walls, they will just look like an extension of your kitchen walls and give your cabinets a nice and stylish border. Extending your soffits in this way will give your kitchen a super clean and contemporary look and is perfect if you’re going for a trendy and chic feel!
Our goal with these articles is to help you get the information you need to make educated choices for your home and family. If you’ve found this helpful, share it with others. If you have questions or would like to request other topics to be covered, send us a quick email! We’d love to hear from you!
Contact Us to schedule your free project consultation.
Or check out some of our projects at our Facebook page.
You can also see more articles about the industry on our Blog