Project story / South Hill, Puyallup, Washington
Kitchen soffit removal in South Hill, Puyallup
Removing the lowered ceiling section opened the view above this South Hill kitchen. Taller gray cabinets, quartz counters and glass tile completed the remodel by Bezruchuk Inc.
- Location
- South Hill · Puyallup
- Main change
- Soffit removal
- Cabinets
- Gray shaker
- Backsplash
- Opal Lustre glass tile
From a lowered ceiling to a clearer cabinet line
Kitchen soffit removal changed the proportions of this South Hill kitchen before the finish materials went in. The original overhead structure and large light panel created a low visual ceiling above the wood cabinets. Removing that enclosure exposed the space needed for a taller cabinet arrangement.
The finished kitchen keeps a compact working layout, but the upper cabinets now extend higher. Recessed lighting replaces the dominant ceiling light box, and the gray shaker fronts create a continuous line around the room. The difference is visible in the before-and-after photographs without adding floor area.
The original and finished kitchen, photographed from different positions. Open either photograph to see its full frame.
A wider opening and a new window
The remodel also widened a doorway to accommodate the refrigerator arrangement and improve the opening into the kitchen. This was a separate part of the layout work, alongside the change overhead.
A new window replaced the older aluminum-framed unit. Its position above the sink remains an important part of the room, bringing daylight across the counters and the reflective backsplash.
Planning these elements together mattered. The cabinet heights, refrigerator position, window trim and ceiling finish all meet within a relatively small space. Resolving those connections before finish installation helped the new cabinetry fit the room as a whole.
Gray shaker cabinets with an Opal Lustre backsplash
The gray shaker cabinets form the largest surface in the finished kitchen. Light quartz counters keep the work area bright, while the existing warm wood tone visible beneath the cabinetry adds contrast.
The backsplash selection was Opal Lustre glass tile, installed in a 70/30 brick pattern. Its varying tones and reflective surface give the wall more depth than a single flat color. It continues along the counter runs and behind the cooking area.
The tile pattern is the more detailed part of the palette. Simple shaker doors and broad quartz surfaces give it enough space to read clearly. The photographs include both full-room views and close views of the tile beside the sink.
What this project can tell you about soffit removal
A soffit is an enclosure above the cabinets; a larger dropped ceiling or light box can also lower the apparent height of a kitchen. They can look similar from below, but the construction and contents may differ.
Before planning removal in another house, the enclosure needs to be assessed for wiring, ducts, plumbing and structural connections. A finished photograph cannot show what is hidden inside an existing soffit. Those findings determine whether removal, a smaller enclosure or a revised cabinet design makes sense.
In this South Hill project, removal made room for the taller cabinet line shown here. It is a useful example of the visual change, but the same result in another home depends on that home’s construction and the agreed scope.
Explore the completed kitchen
Open a photograph to view it at full size. The viewer also includes the original kitchen.
Planning a kitchen project of your own
For work in this area, see our Puyallup kitchen remodeling services. That page covers the broader service; this article records the choices made for one completed project.
Use the kitchen remodel cost calculator for an initial planning range, then share photographs and your proposed scope for a project-specific estimate. The calculator is not the price of the kitchen shown here.
Questions about this kitchen remodel
What was removed above the cabinets?
The lowered overhead enclosure and light-box area were removed as part of this kitchen remodel, opening the ceiling line above the new cabinets.
Did soffit removal make the floor area larger?
No. The change opened the space overhead and allowed a taller cabinet arrangement; it did not add square footage to the kitchen floor.
What backsplash was used?
The project used Opal Lustre glass tile in a 70/30 brick pattern.
What other layout changes were made?
A doorway was widened for the refrigerator arrangement, and the older aluminum-framed window was replaced.
Can every kitchen soffit be removed?
No. Concealed utilities and structural connections need to be checked before deciding how much can be removed and what other work is required.
Tell us about your kitchen
Send your project location, current photographs and the changes you have in mind. Bezruchuk Inc. can help you define the next step.
Request a project review