I'm considering raising my kitchen cabinets closer to the ceiling for both aesthetics and to gain some usable counter space. A contractor suggested that the area above my window might be hollow, which opens up the possibility of moving the cabinets higher. How can I check if the space is actually hollow? Is this project really as straightforward as it sounds? By the way, my home is a 1935 Craftsman style located in the southern US. I've attached a photo for reference: https://imgur.com/a/7wqqWgx
1 Answer
To start, you'll want to make some small inspection holes in the soffit above the cabinets. This way, you can see if there are any plumbing, electrical wires, or ductwork running through it. If all checks out and it's hollow, it's a pretty manageable project—just removing, refinishing, and re-hanging the cabinets. But watch out! It’s common to find obstacles up there, so just be prepared for that possibility.
Thanks for the tip! If it turns out to be completely hollow, could we remove it all to open up the space better? I'm definitely planning to take a closer look.