How to Build a Soffit Above Kitchen Cabinets
Most of the kitchen has cabinets in there, and some of them will give you enough space above to keep some kitchen stuff. But what if your cabinets are so high and up to the wall that there is space but not enough to store something. That is when you can think about not having them. A great way to eliminate those unused space is by installing soffits, and we will tell you How to Build a Soffit Above Kitchen Cabinets.
It is alright if you want to leave the space like it is, but you should know that once you have it open, there are going to be dust and stuff, which will indeed not look good for your kitchen. But when you cover them up and make it a part of the cabinet or matching the walls, you will see it will bring a new outlook to your kitchen. So, if you are up to do that, then let’s learn How to Build a Soffit Above Kitchen Cabinets.
DIY: How to Build a Soffit Above Kitchen Cabinets
The way we are going to show you how to build the soffits will require some wood or plywood. You can match your cabinets or your walls. That is up to you. Before we can begin, we will tell you what materials you will need to complete the work.The way we are going to show you how to build the soffits will require some wood or plywood. You can match your cabinets or your walls. That is up to you. Before we can begin, we will tell you what materials you will need to complete the work.
Materials You Need
• Wood or plywood
• Color
• Glue
Steps to Follow
So, if you are done planning the outlook and how you want the soffits to look, you can start following the steps for How to Build a Soffit Above Kitchen Cabinets.
Step 1
The first step is to measure the portion of the empty spaces above the kitchen cabinets. To do that, you need your measuring tools. Take a stool and stand up in there to have a better look. If you are not comfortable in doing this, ask someone to help you. If it is possible, take the measurement without furniture inside. It is easier that way. Find out how long and wide the space is.
In order to build a model of a roller coaster, you first need to measure the height of the empty space. Write down all of your measurements on a piece of paper.
The cabinets in a kitchen are usually different sizes. To measure them, first find the height of each one. Then, measure the length of each cabinet. Make a note of the measurements of each cabinet so you can remember which is which. The width of all the cabinets should be the same.
Step 2
Now that you have all the measurements, you need to start with cutting the wooden pieces. You will need to cut some rectangular pieces according to the height of the empty space. The details will be used for the surface base of the soffits. You should never glue the soffits to the wall as it could cause damage and will be hand to remove. You cannot go to glue to the upper side of the soffits, so your walls should be fine.
Cut those pieces as many as you need. They should be in pairs as you will need one in the front and one in the back.Next, you have to work with the soffits. The soffits should be the length of each cabinet and the height of the space. If you have any doubt left about the measurement, you can take the pieces and see if they fit correctly or not.
Step 3
Now that you have all the pieces ready, you can start with coloring the details. You can color just one side of the pieces, which will be the front. As the other sides are not going to be shown outside, there is no need for coloring them all. But if you feel like you can embellish everything. Also, the coloring should be according to what you want to match.
Step 4
Start by working on the soffits, which are the parts of the roof that extend beyond the main structure. You will need glue for this, so either use strong superglue or wood glue.
First, you have to glue down the base pieces to the corner of the cabinets. Put one at the front and the back. When the pieces are drying, you can take an amount of soffit and see if they fit correctly or not. One by one, put the rectangular pieces together. Now, you need to move the soffit up and down until they fit the cabinets. Once done, you can glue them all together. After that, take the molding and see if it fits the soffit.
Step 5
After the rectangular pieces are done, you can add the larger details of the front and the sides. Keep them for drying overnight. And you are done installing the soffits.
Final Thoughts
That was all for How to Build a Soffit Above Kitchen Cabinets. Hopefully, our tips and instruction will help you install them properly.
Check it out to learn to build a kitchen hutch.
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
