Hey everyone, I've been thinking about my kitchen soffits and I have a bit of an unconventional idea. I know it sounds odd (maybe I've had one too many rum drinks?), but hear me out: I want to add some shelves above my solid cabinets for more space for my cookbooks. I'm considering removing the sheetrock and sliding in pre-made units between the studs where the soffits are, then adding some trim around it. Has anyone tried anything like this? Is it a terrible idea or could it actually work?
3 Answers
It’s hard to picture exactly what you’re trying to do without some photos, but just a heads-up: if you’re using that space for cookbooks, they might get pretty dusty in a busy kitchen! Might want to think about that before going all in on those shelves.
As an electrician, I’d advise caution. Soffits can often house wiring, so be prepared to deal with that if you open things up. I removed a soffit once, and while I found some slack in the wires, there were definitely some pipes involved too. Maybe check your attic for where your wiring runs first, just to save yourself a headache!
I’ve seen this done successfully by using some nice oak veneer to wrap the soffits after carefully removing them. It added a classy touch without needing to actually fit in shelves. Just a thought if you're looking for a more stylish solution!
Totally get what you're saying! I just did a similar project and, while I was able to hide most of the wires, there was one pesky pipe I wasn't expecting. Definitely not fun dealing with a plumber afterward!