Kitchen wall cabinets are typically installed 15 inches above the countertop. This ensures easy arm's-reach access to dishes, glassware, and food, at least for most people. But lower wall cabinets create open spaces on top.
These open spaces become dark spaces that collect dust, cobwebs, and insects. Functionally, they are useless. A few things you can do will turn these open areas into something more attractive, useful, and better integrated into the kitchen—or simply to avoid them in the first place.
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- 01 of 04
Install Tall Wall Cabinets That Reach the Ceiling
From a functional perspective, the best solution to open cabinet areas is to install ceiling-high wall cabinets.
Moving the existing cabinets upward is not an option. It would fill up the space but the cabinets would then be too high to use. The existing cabinets must be removed and new, taller cabinets would need to be installed.
The standard wall cabinet height is 30 inches. Tall wall cabinets capable of reaching the ceiling will be either 36 inches or 42 inches high. A reliable footstool that tucks out of the way is a necessary component of owning taller wall cabinets. Even if that top shelf doesn't get used, the tall cabinet serves as an attractive, though expensive, way to cover up the wasted space.
ProsMaximizes all storage space
Eliminates dust collection
Seamless appearance
ConsExpensive fix
Difficult to access top shelf
Disposal of existing cabinets
- 02 of 04
Create a Cabinet Soffit
If expenses don't allow for re-installing taller wall cabinets, another solution is to close off the area with a soffit or bulkhead. A soffit or bulkhead is any solid structure that covers up unsightly areas or items such as vents and pipes.
Cabinet soffits can be constructed of drywall, metal, wood, or any other structurally sound material. Treat the surface in any number of ways: Paint the drywall, burnish the metal, or stain or paint the wood.
The soffit can act as a base for applying other decorative items. A row or two of ceramic tiles can be applied to the soffit with thinset mortar. Or a line of metal or faux metal ceiling tiles can be applied to the face of the soffit with construction glue. Anything that fits that space and which fits your tastes is appropriate.
ProsEliminates dust collection
Covers wires or pipes
Cheaper than tall wall cabinets
ConsNo storage space
Noticeable if not built right
Visual fix mostly
- 03 of 04
Install Crown Molding on Top of the Cabinets
Installing crown molding along the tops of the cabinets softens the look of open cabinet areas.
A nail gun, an electric miter saw, some furring strips, and several strips of crown molding are all you need to do this project. Crown molding on kitchen wall cabinets dresses up your kitchen with ease. Add rope lights behind the crown molding for a luminous glow at night. Crown molding lets you store flat items without seeing them from below.
While adding crown molding is only a partial cover, it can be enough of a visual distraction that the open areas aren't as noticeable. When you attach the crown molding to the furring, and not to the cabinets, it's easy to remove the molding later on without leaving noticeable damage.
ProsEasy to build
Covers soffits
Low cost
ConsRequires a nailgun
Aesthetic, not functional
Partial cover, not a full cover
- 04 of 04
Keep the Cabinet Tops Open
One answer to cabinet open areas is simply to keep them clear but make better use of them. As an example, 30-inch high wall cabinets would create about a 9-inch space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. It's the least expensive solution, and it keeps the top shelf of the cabinets within reach of most people. The open space provides visual relief and gives the cabinets less of a bulky appearance
ProsTop shelf in reach
Inexpensive
Visual relief
ConsCollects dust
Flat item storage only
Poor storage area