Should I knock out the drywall above the kitchen cabinets?

Diana
by Diana

If I knock out the drywall above the kitchen cabinets I was going to put lights and like tea pots, knick knats up there. Or is it better to have cabinets to go up to the ceiling.

  9 answers
  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Jan 04, 2019

    Diana...It depends what the wall looks like once you remove the drywall. It really is just a matter of opinion to have opening about cabinets or closed areas.

  • Gk Gk on Jan 04, 2019

    Hello Diana! It would be nice to have cabinets to go up to the ceiling for the extra storage. In order to do that you would have to measure and make sure you had the room to add cabinets or you could consider moving your current cabinets higher. If you decide to remove the drywall and use the space above the cabinets for decor you need to know that it's hard to clean up there and anything you put up there gets pretty grimy with greasy kitchen dirt. In my house I would love to have the cabinets go all the way to the ceiling rather than the open space I have now above the cabinets.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Jan 04, 2019

    Need to make sure that it's empty behind drywall no vents,wiring,support beams,maybe even plumbing for upstairs. I'd say mostly storage so the cabinets but you could reserve one area/part for your tea pots,lights,knick knacks. Not too big maybe because you'll have to always get up on ladder to clean the area.

  • Rymea Rymea on Jan 04, 2019

    If at all possible have cabinets go to the ceiling. Don't raise the ones you have now unless you are really tall.

  • Sarge Sarge on Jan 05, 2019

    The easiest way that I have found is to use Dash dish washing soap and hot water combined in a spray bottle. Spray it on the wall and then use a paint scraper and it will come off beautifully. We have done this many times.

  • Pat Pat on Jan 05, 2019

    Mother had cabinets with a space on top. It was my job to climb on the ladder to clean the knick-knacks and top of the cupboards. I learned that if you take everything down, cover the top of the cupboards with wax paper and then put up the knick-knacks, it saves a lot of work next time.....wax paper keeps the top clean and only have the knick-knacks to wash. That said, I would prefer to have the cabinets go to the ceiling....uppers can be used for storage of things used once a year or whenever.

  • Amanda Amanda on Jan 29, 2019

    Good morning! As a kitchen designer I would recommend knowing what is in the drywall above your cabinets. For example, many homes built in the 80’s have can recessed lights in this area. It’s not impossible to remove these but you would need some experience with electrical work. Most of my clients have these areas removed so they can have a “taller” looking kitchen. This is easily done with taller upper cabinets if it’s affordable. Some clients do not have the money to replace they uppers so you can always add layers of molding to the top!!! This looks amazing and really freshens up the area, especially with white cabinets.

    If you really want to put things above your cabinets, just make sure you have the area checked for wires ect. Hitting the drywall is fun and easy to remove but be prepared to possibly repair or even replace the drywall on the wall and possibly the ceiling were it attaches to.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 21, 2020

    Hi, there,

    I have always used mine to add things like collection of Egg holders (Chickens etc and a few silk plants in the Laundry room myself, but there are others who say that then means more dusting has to be done! It's really up to you! Best wishes.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2021

    do you mean soffit ? Sometimes soffit hides some plumbing so make sure that it is not your case before you to work to remove it