Closing the Space above the Kitchen Cabinets

I took matters into my own hands to give my dated honey oak kitchen a brand new look. This time it was all about closing the space above the kitchen cabinets.

Given that the cabinets were strong and sound, the plan was to update them with paint. But I also wanted to give them more character by adding moldings and giving them more height by bringing them all the way to the ceiling. Cleaning all the dust that accumulated up there was a challenging task.

From the beginning of the kitchen renovation, closing that space was one of my top priorities, and now even more because I had to cover the hood ducting I installed for the range hood.

You can also check how the kitchen Island was transformed right HERE.

*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

This is how the kitchen looked when the renovation started:

The tools & materials you'll need for closing the space above the cabinets are:

• Furring strips or 1 x 2 pine
• 1/2" MDF or plywood
• Drill
• 2-1/2" screws
• Nailer
• Brad Nails 1-1/2"
• Wood filler
• Sander

I'm not a builder nor a carpenter; I followed what I believed was the most practical and economical way for me to close the space above the kitchen cabinets. It doesn't mean it is right or wrong. It has worked, and that's why I'm writing about it.

I simply installed long pieces of furring strips (1" x 2") on top of the cabinets and on the ceiling. These 1 x 2's support the front board that will cover that space. The 1 x 2's were secured to the ceiling joists using 2-1/2" screws. I used anchors when I couldn't line them with the joists. 

A line of 1 x 2's was also installed all along the top of the cabinets, pushing them back 1/2", which was the thickness of the material I was planning on using to cover that space.

I used ½" MDF to close this space. The same material I used to cover the front and sides of the hood is an excellent painting surface.

The picture above shows the 1x2's installed on the ceiling and one on the top of the cabinets. There still needs to be one added on the left.

The MDF was cut to size and installed. I used 1-1/2" brad nails to secure it onto the 1x2's.

All those corners consisted of butt joins. I didn't have the tools or skill to miter them. There was a lot of sanding and wood filler to make those rough edges look nice.

I tried to get the most out of a single 4'x 8' sheet of MDF. Since I don't have a table saw, I always ask for the long pieces to be cut at the home center. At Home Depot, they usually do it for free on weekdays. If you go on weekends, it is a different story.

Here is how the cabinets looked after closing that entire space above them. Nothing fancy, huh?

But then, a bunch of moldings was all they needed to make them look awesome! :)

Check how to add moldings to your kitchen cabinets right HERE.

Then, it was time to paint everything - Talk about the magic of paint! 

You can check how to paint your kitchen cabinets right HERE.

This is how the kitchen looked at the end of this makeover.

| Pendant Light | Roman Shade - sim. | Backsplash |

This is how it looks today after painting the kitchen island a lighter color, updating the range hood, and opening some of the cabinets.

| DIY - Plate Rack | DIY - Fridge Enclosure |

The space above my kitchen cabinets was only 12" from the top of the cabinets to the ceiling.

If you have a space greater than 12", a good alternative would be to give it the look of "open cabinets," as I did in my Laundry Room HERE.

Or as Morgane from Bear, Dolly and Moi did.

But if you're dealing with a soffit or fur down, you must check Kaylor @ Fisherman's Wife Furniture. She made the soffit look like part of the cabinets. Brilliant!

You can also check Daina Baer's work closing the space above the cabinets in her kitchen.

For more Kitchen DIY Ideas, check these out:

How to add moldings to your kitchen cabinets

How to paint the cabinets

How to install a marble backsplash

How to build a range hood

How to build a fridge enclosure

How to update the kitchen island

Tips about installing recessed lights

Final kitchen reveal

Kitchen cost breakdown

1 ½ Year Later How the Kitchen is Holding up

Build-in Plate Rack

Pull Out Shelves in Pantry

LG Appliances Review and Complain

For the latest projects done in this kitchen, click HERE.

*This post contains affiliate links.

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