Kitchen Design Ideas Using Soffits

Storage Space

• Extend your storage space to the ceiling by building soffits that also house cupboards. Install glass doors if you want to show off decorative items, or use small doors that imitate the ones on the lower cabinets for a sleek, cohesive look. Finish off the top of the cabinets with a slim strip of molding where the top of the soffits meet the ceiling. This will give the space an elegant, upscale feel.

Paneling

• Use beadboard or paneling to give your soffits a distinctive look. This works especially well in kitchens that have a country or cottage design. Choose prepainted paneling and have it cut at the store to fit the space, or install it one board at a time for a rustic, handmade feel. Paneling can be installed over the soffits using construction adhesive or small nails.

Lighting

• Soffits are sometimes built using drywall to store, route or hide electrical wiring or pipes. In such cases, they usually look like an extension of the ceiling and may be painted to match the ceiling and walls. Enhance this design and take advantage of the electrical wiring by adding recessed or rope lighting to the soffit. This works best for soffits that extend, or overhang, a bit past the cabinets. Not only will this add a dramatic decorative touch, but it's also a practical step as many kitchens do not have enough overhead lighting.

Molding

• Use molding to add a customized look to your soffits. Build them out of drywall or wood to match the cabinets, and then add molding or medallions to the front of the soffits. Thin strips of molding in the shapes of squares, diamonds and rectangles look terrific in a Victorian-era kitchen, as do decorative medallions. Mimic the shape of your cabinet doors, or choose something to match the wallpaper or other decorative items, such as shapes in a vase, in your kitchen.