Wallpaper via Graham Brown – Kelly Hoppen
WWhile I waited for a new set of cabinets to arrive — the run that goes to the right of the dishwasher — the kitchen work had stalled. We kept busy watching our hardwood floors go in, but the kitchen still looked unfinished. When the cabinet installer finally returned he not only brought the new units, he also fixed a small problem that had bothered me since we moved in.
What problem area am I talking about?
Dun…dun…dun… That awkward space above the cabinets.
You know the one: too shallow to display anything useful, too low to be practical storage, and awkward enough that painting above it or styling it feels impossible. It makes cabinets look squat, yet it’s not tall enough to add another cabinet row. That odd little gap bothered me — maybe it bothers you too.
We decided to box in that awkward space so it would stop bothering me. The cabinets will be painted, so what you see here is progress, not the final finish. This is the midway point of the project.
There were many ways to address the gap. We could have installed taller cabinets or a new cabinet run, raised the existing cabinets, added open shelving, created small doors, or installed elaborate crown molding. All of these are valid solutions, but each carries its own cost and maintenance issues. I didn’t want high storage I’d need a ladder for, and custom cabinet work can be expensive. Ultimately we chose a simple, cost-effective approach that fits our home’s style.
Our house is a northwest craftsman with straightforward architectural details: mostly flat moldings and minimal trim. Only the dining room and powder room have crown molding. Because the home’s aesthetic is simple, we didn’t want to overdo the kitchen detail and end up out of sync with the rest of the house — or overspend. A clean boxed-in finish with a modest detail felt appropriate and practical.
We’ll be painting the upper cabinets white and installing simple white subway tile as the backsplash. Boxing in the gap already makes the cabinets look more substantial and intentional rather than short or unfinished. It’s a modest upgrade that adds a polished look without a high price tag.
On the opposite side of the kitchen the new sink base and drawers were installed, which felt like real progress. Although we plan to paint all the cabinets eventually, the new units were ordered to match the existing finish so the paint will take evenly across every surface.
The space where a compressor was sitting is where the dishwasher will go. I’m looking forward to the long stretch of counter to the right of the sink and the uncluttered feel of having no upper cabinets there. We’ll put a simple open shelf above that cabinet bank for functional display. A temporary table provided a place to set parts — like the new faucet — while work continued. We’re also planning a movable island later for extra prep space.
Next on the list are the countertops, which will be templated and installed, followed by subway tile installation and final hookups for the sink and dishwasher. It’s exciting to see the kitchen come together in stages.
Do you have an awkward space above your kitchen cabinets?
If you’re renovating, consider whether the gap above your cabinets is worth converting into finished trim or storage. A boxed-in solution can make cabinets look taller and more integrated without the cost of full cabinet replacement or complex molding.
Update: Here’s what that awkward space above the cabinets looks like now after the finishing touches and paint — a much cleaner, more cohesive look that blends with the rest of the kitchen.
Before & After: Cabinet Kitchen Makeover
