Ways To Deal With Kitchen Soffits, Depending On Your Aesthetic - Tasting Table

"Although they do serve a purpose, they don't always meet one's aesthetic needs. Interior designer Azali Kassum of Azali Kassum Design finds ways to make them blend into every kitchen. "I've approached the kitchen soffit in several ways depending on the aesthetic of the project," she says. "Most often, a soffit is built either to hide ductwork or other electrical wiring, so I lean into this by painting the soffit the same color as the ceiling so that it disappears from you and floats away.""

"Soffits are often painted the same color as the wall, so matching them with the ceiling provides a more seamless look. However, this technique isn't the best choice for every kitchen. "This works really well when you have tall ceilings and can't take the cabinets to the top," Kassum says. Large, sleek kitchens that still have soffits benefit from the extended ceiling look that comes from painting them for an especially modern effect."

"For spaces with lower ceilings, Kassum has a tip that will provide an equally flawless result while still giving the kitchen a cozy charm. "In smaller kitchens where a cozier vibe is the end game, I've looked at adding a veneer to the soffit so that it feels integrated with the cabinets, which adds visual height to the millwork design," she explains. Custom woodwork provides kitchens with a unique, rustic look, so why not extend that to the soffits?"

Soffits are installed above cabinets and often protrude into kitchen spaces. They commonly hide ductwork or electrical wiring but can detract from aesthetics. Painting soffits the same color as the ceiling makes them blend in and creates an extended ceiling effect, which suits tall, modern kitchens where cabinets do not reach the ceiling. In smaller kitchens with lower ceilings, adding a wood veneer or matching millwork integrates soffits with cabinetry and adds perceived visual height. Custom woodwork can provide a rustic, cohesive look when extended to soffits. Removing soffits is not necessary to improve kitchen appearance.

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