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What to do w/ space above fridge?

15 years ago

Here's what my refrigerator area looks like:

{{!gwi}}From Updates Started!

After we bought our cabinet-depth fridge, our plans for remodel changed. We originally thought we'd remove soffits and encase the fridge, but that cannot happen now.

SO What should we do about the space between the refrigerator and the soffit? The space is about ll inches, and the cabinet manufacturer's smallest fridge cabinet is 12 inches tall. We don't want to remove the soffit either (not sure what's up there, and can't afford to relocate anything). So, what do we do with it?

For what it's worth, I think we're going to be painting the cabinets cream.

Featured Answer

jeff8407

15 years ago

If you are planning on painting them you might think about a custom cabinet for the space above the fridge.

Also, I agree with bbstx, my custom cabinets were only 55% of the cost of the ready made ones--I did have to finish them however.

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Comments (9)

amylovesbud
15 years ago
What if you had a cabinet made with a plain front like your drawers. You might even be able to order two drawer fronts from the manufacturere and then use them as doors on a custom box. Then when you paint, it should look like it goes together.

I hope find a solution you like!

Here is a link that might be useful: Good Soil
nuccia
15 years ago
If you match the 12" depth of the desk upper for the cabinet over your fridge you will still have 12" of refrigerator top showing, which sounds like what you're trying to avoid. If you stay with the soffit, you should probably build it out so that it is completely over the top of the fridge. amylovesbud's suggestion is good to finish it off, even if you have to cut the cabinet down an inch.

Before you decide, could you cut out a smallish hole from the bottom of the soffit and using a mirror and flashlight check to see what, if anything is really up there? Perhaps you'll luck out.
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sankaty_91
15 years ago
I agree with nuccia about cutting a small hole in the soffit to investigate. I had 2 similar soffits in my kitchen and decided to remove them not knowing what we would find. One had an electrical wire running through it that we relocated to the ceiling above it. The other soffit was completely empty much to my surprise and delight.
bbstx
15 years ago
Have you checked on having a custom cabinet done for the area? I was pleasantly astounded at the price difference between ready-made cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, and custom cabinets. My custom cabinets are going to be a fraction of the estimates I got using ready-mades and semi-customs. Ask! You, too, might be pleasantly surprised.
ci_lantro
15 years ago
You could raise the refrigerator to fill the space.

But, honestly, I wouldn't spend any money on fixing it but would take that money & put it towards getting rid of the soffits & that dropped light box. Then, if you decide to do a more extensive reno in a few years, at least that part of it will be done.
ssjm
15 years ago
Before you even cut a small hole in your soffit get on a little stepladder and have someone flush the toilets on the second floor (assuming you have one) and listen to see if you can hear water rushing through. We had soffits in our kitchen before we remodeled and all the pipes from second floor baths were hidden in there. We had to re-route them up into the floor joists. Not difficult or that expensive and a huge difference getting rid of those soffits. Just an idea............
gshop
15 years ago
We also have soffits in our kitchen and after inspecting determined we couldn't move all the plumbing. Over our cabinet depth refrig. we put a full refrig. size cabinet with a pull out shelf inside. That way I don't lose stuff way in the back and can access everything. Good Luck!
bbstx
15 years ago
jeff,
I'm getting prices like that finished and installed. And I've checked this guy's work, and found no problems.

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