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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

What to do with 36” space above top cabinates

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi,

My wife and I are remodeling our whole house built in 1990. The kitchen is the real challenge. Our budget does not allow for new cabinates. We are going to paint them and replace the hardware. New quartz counter tops too.

We hate the plant shelves above the cabinets. Upper cabinates are 32”. If we remove the plant shelf above the cabinates there is a 36” space. We are not sure what we can do to fill the awkward 36 inches of space. We will be replacing the microwave with a vent hood. I have considered adding some type of cabinates above the existing ones.

And the crown on the ceiling is being replaced as well. Unless we opt for a design that would negate new crown.

Any ideas?

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Comments (4)

Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK
6 years ago
Hi Robs,

Wow, 36 inches is a lot of space!

Once you get your new hood, everything will look so different, can you show us which one you're getting?

Have you thought about tile/wallpaper/shelves?
PRO
Roula Bakis Real Estate
6 years ago
You could add cabinets just to that centered area near the hood. All cabinets dont always have to go all the way to ceiling. This will raise the eyes up and look intentional and xreate a focal point. Also create some dimension. Get rid of the planter boxes for sure. Another way to fill the space is to place a strip of half round molding about 6 inches down from your current molding and paint the area in between a slightly diff color. This will decrease the visual space between the cabinet s and the ceiling as well as add a nice detail. I would have to see more pict y res of the style of your house and the rest of the kitchen. I can send you examples if it sounds interesting to you.
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I'm such a dope, it is 2-3 Inches, not feet. I corrected the subject. If it was a bigger area I would put stuff up there but 2 inches isn't enough room!! Sheetrock is an option, I thought about that, definite possibility. Art, the rest of the kitchen is painted. I don't want to paint the cabinets, I like seeing the woodgrain. Ann, It's funny you mentioned that, about the colored board. I was doing picture searches today on the web and saw cabinets done like that and I thought that might be an option. Then when I was at Lowes, I grabbed a bunch of free cabinet books for ideas, and one of them showed that style. I wanted to incorporate more of the cranberry/ pomegranate color into the room and that might just be the place to do it... I'm definitely going to consider that!
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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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Looks like your sofa is going to stay where it is, unless you can face it towards the sliding door. There needs to be enough room to walk beside it, of course. If it's staying where it is, I'd rearrange some of your wall art and mirrors. I like the Gumby but not in that space. I suggest using the art that you have in the hallway area, above the sofa. Then move the mirror from above the fireplace and place it near the sliding door above the end table. You can see in your photo that the wall where the end table is, is the brightest wall in your photo. Having a mirror there will reflect the light into the house, and from some angles you'll have a nice view of the outdoors. I have a mirror in exactly the same place in my house, and it really does reflect light into the rest of the room. Where you have a mirror now, above the fireplace, it doesn't reflect light because it's a dark interior wall. I'd put the Gumby near the entrance to the house, near your front door. Can you show us the wall where the stroller is parked? It creates a nice impression to see a bright, fun piece of art as the first thing you see when you enter a house.
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Not a Pro. I agree with above about the tv. Above the fireplace I would put a painting over the top of that alcove. From the pictures it looks like there is a ledge, so the art can be place over the top and it will appear that it is on a wall. The other alcove I would add shelves, or a sculpture, lighted up as suggested above. Some inspiration:
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zmith
6 years ago
It looks like the "plant shelf" is above the pantry only. A few ideas; you could have a bulkhead bump out built to tie into the rest of the room. Or you could try to find a shallow cabinet to put there. It will look awkward, imho. As Sophie recommended, leave it well enough alone. I think the decorative trim atop the pantry cabinet could be removed easily enough. That's a start. Then remove the wallpaper border. Why would you want to remove and replace the crown molding? Seems like work and expense that will not be very worthwhile.
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Carolina Kitchen & Bath
6 years ago
Try some wall art with texture and dimension, something long and narrow and pull the space together with that.
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