Five ways to gain storage and a custom look
Many builder-grade kitchens fall victim to one noticeable design flaw: the upper cabinets don’t make it all the way to the ceiling. Instead, they leave a frustrating gap. Luckily, adding toppers to kitchen cabinets can close the gap and maximize storage space.
There are a few tricks and remodels you can use to add height and extra kitchen storage space while finally getting the look you want. Read on for simple ways to extend the height of your existing kitchen cabinets and gain a higher-end design.
Traditional kitchen cabinet installations come in two parts: The heavy-duty base cabinets on which the countertop rests and upper cabinets above the counter. But there’s a problem: Not every kitchen is designed exactly for the dimensions of standard cabinet sizes. Other factors like higher ceilings will take priority, especially in more open floor plans. That can create a gap between the top of the upper cabinets and the kitchen ceiling, which leads to several issues.
Unsightly gap: The gap is often a bare, shadowy spot that makes a kitchen seem incomplete or smaller.
Difficult to clean: The top of the cabinets are hard to clean, meaning dust and cobwebs can easily pile up in these spaces, and removing the dirt can be very frustrating.
Less storage: It’s often an under-utilized space that could be more useful as a storage or display area with the right changes.
The solution to these woes is adding a topper to your cabinets that fills up this gap with something far more practically and visually appealing.
If you have the space, one of our favorite options for adding cabinet height is to install “toppers,” an additional row of cabinets, shelves, or paneling that take them all the way to your ceiling—or at least to an acceptable height.
However, not everyone has the budget or room to add topper cabinets to their kitchen, and additional cabinets don’t always fix height issues. So we’ll also review a few additional ways to add height or least give the appearance of higher cabinets.
If you have the room and budget, this strategy makes the most sense and will make your ceiling look higher. As a bonus, you’ll gain storage space—a luxury always in short supply in kitchens.
When planning the height of your new upper layer of topper cabinets, make them about half as tall as the cabinet layer below them. Think about incorporating an unexpected element, like glass doors or dramatic kitchen cabinet lighting, to set them apart. Since cabinetry is relatively challenging to install, you might want to hire a local carpenter for the job and save energy for whipping up your favorite meal.
With topper cabinets like these, you can choose between lift-up cabinet doors, more traditional cupboard-style doors, or even glass or rustic mesh doors to add even more style to the kitchen while retaining easy access.
Since it’s difficult to reach above your upper cabinets, avoid storing frequently used items there. Instead, decorate the top of kitchen cabinets with open shelving. Shelves are easily customizable, fit within a foot or two of space, and take less work, materials, and money to install than toppers.
Plus, shelves offer space for storing easy-access dishes or displaying fine dishware, vases, and decor, especially seasonal decor. It’s a great alternative for smaller budgets or kitchens lacking open storage space.
By installing crown molding on top of your upper cabinets, you’ll achieve the illusion of height. Adding this carpentry work will make your kitchen cabinets look new and give them a custom feel. This strategy works particularly well in more formal, traditional homes, like Georgians and Colonials.
To DIY this project, remove existing crown molding (including caulk and nails). Measure out and cut new molding, then arrange each piece. Finish by nailing, caulking, priming, and painting. If you prefer to hire a pro, crown molding costs between $4 and $15 per linear foot for materials and labor.
Paint your upper cabinets, the wall they’re on, and the ceiling. Using one color for all three elements will distract the eye from the cabinets and the gap. Then play up other features—like the island, light fixtures, or backsplash tile—so they serve as design focal points and complement the new paint color. For example, three pendant lights in a fun color (like yellow) over the island or an intricate tile pattern behind the stovetop will keep everyone’s focus on your stunning decor.
Adding shelves is more economical than purchasing another layer of wall cabinets, and if you have a really large gap, opt for two rows of shelves.
If a larger remodel isn’t the right fit for you, consider skipping shelves or cabinets and choosing décor toppers instead. The tops of your current cabinets are still excellent spots for displaying lightweight decorations and even handy storage for items you don’t mind showing off. You can mount signs, picture frames, baskets, bins, collections, vases, plants, wreaths, and more on the top of their cabinets with great success. It’s enough space to put décor pieces that don't easily fit elsewhere, and it’s easy to change out as needed, too.
This make-do solution also helps with particularly high kitchen ceilings where adding another layer of cabinets won’t be enough to cover the space. Pick décor that matches your wall color and cabinets for the best results.
If you don’t need extra space but get exasperated by that gap between cabinets and ceiling, consider covering it with paneling instead. It’s a relatively easy remodel to install wood paneling flush with the outer edge of your cabinets, paint it the same color as your cabinets, and seal that gap away for good. You can even update your ceiling molding with a new design that better matches your kitchen.
However, one drawback of this option is that you’ll lose valuable storage space. But wood paneling looks great with the right installation and may be your best option for smaller gaps around six to 18 inches where crown molding isn’t enough to cover the space.
To make a gap less obvious, bump out the wall above the cabinets, so it’s flush with the cabinet boxes. You can either match this new section of drywall to your other kitchen wall color, or choose a different color to complement your cabinets. The materials and framework are relatively affordable for this option, and you get a smooth, minimalistic look that covers that gap. Of course, as with wood paneling, you lose potential storage space and the kitchen may feel slightly more closed-in.
Are you dissatisfied with your current cabinets, and want to fix a small gap before your ceiling at the same time? Think about a larger remodel project to replace your upper cabinets altogether. You can select new materials, new cabinet designs and doors, and most importantly you can pick larger or double cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling with the kind of storage space you need.
A new installation will solve many problems, but it’s also the most expensive option. Installing new kitchen cabinets costs $6,000 on average or $100 to $1,200 per linear foot, which can quickly add up when looking at cabinet space.
With many options to handle that upper cabinet gap, it’s no surprise homeowners have to choose between DIY and professional cabinet remodeling. Many options fare best with professional help, particularly when it comes to fitting a new row of cabinets or crown molding on the ceiling, which can take experience, precise measurements, and the right materials. While standard kitchen cabinet sizes may fit in your cabinetry gap, we can’t guarantee it, so custom woodwork could be required.
In that case, consider hiring a local pre-made cabinetry professional who can help you decide the right cabinetry solution for your kitchen, and then help install it. Prices for this type of work varies according to the project, and kitchen cabinets tend to cost between $100 and $1,200 per linear foot.
It’s not usually a problem, although you may want to check the specifics of your cabinets first. A wall of kitchen cabinets can support about 600 pounds, including what’s inside and anything resting on top. Keep that limit in mind when adding DIY shelves or décor to the tops of cabinets. If you are installing a new row of full cabinets, they’ll typically have their own support mechanisms and the added weight will be minimal.
You’ll have to make a judgment call. Kitchen ceilings between 8 and 12 feet high typically offer the best-case installations for a new row of cabinets or shelves that will fill the gap. By the time your ceiling reaches 15 feet or higher, as they often do in open floor plans, it’s time to embrace the space and consider toppers that don’t have to reach all the way to the ceiling. You can still get plenty of extra storage with one of our steps above.
Before making any big plans, climb up a step ladder and closely examine the top of your cabinets. You’ll get to see what sort of clean-up work needs to be done, but you can also check for any unexpected obstacles. Sometimes this space holds electrical boxes, wiring, or even plumbing components. Those will affect plans to install a new layer of cabinets or shelves.
Traditionally, a soffit is a covering for a visible gap in your roofing structure. Typically, it refers to an underneath covering on the exterior of your house that covers the space created by the overhanging eaves instead of exposing more vulnerable roofing materials. But a soffit can also refer to that gap between your cabinets and the ceiling, especially when it has been finished by wood paneling like our suggestion above.
