We have one similar. What we decided to do was paint it the same color as the wall and it looks great. Gave our space some definition rather than it just being there.

I would cut the soffit off at the end of the cabinets and replace the lights with pendants or recessed LED can lights.

If there is nothing in there...get rid if it. Cut it out and popcorn it to match the rest of the ceiling. IF however there is plumbing / electrical, etc in there, then I agree with Kaplan Architects...paint it to match the ceiling. If you paint it wall color, then it is hi-lighted. You want to HIDE it, not hi-light it. Good luck

I'm with Kaplan, paint it to match the ceiling.

So far as I know, it is impossible to "match " popcorn ceilings, which are very outdated anyway.

Yup - get rid of the popcorn ceiling, paint out the bulkhead (not soffit) to either wall or ceiling colour.
I don't think I'd paint it the yellow colour, but I would paint it the ceiling colour - make it disappear!

good luck

I'd worry less about the soffit and scrape the ceiling first. The stained molding highlights the soffit area, though - so that might be the first soffit fix. Don't know how it transitions from the rest of the room, but once it hits the soffit above the cabinetry, you should be able to get away with removing that trim piece entirely.

You'll likely not get rid of that soffit unless you commit to moving the ductwork - which could be money better spent on the ceiling.

Don't know the rest of the floorplan, but potentially you could also continue the soffit to a logical point and carry it around the kitchen area, alter the ceiling paint within this zone and create a defined space.

That could work well or not at all, depending on what else is going on with the layout.

Soffits are SO 1980's and before - DO NOT under any circumstances make it bigger !!!! It's almost 2013. There are no soffits in 2013.

OK...I agree - KILL the popcorn ceiling TOO...actually putting 3/8" drywall over the existing is probably better then scraping...Also, If you kill the soffit then you can just cover up the hole. Good luck

HI -- I say if you hate something that much then it should go. If it doesn't house anything then it's best to have it removed . Then the ceiling will have to be fixed which is good because then the texture can go too. If the ceiling has not been painted before then you can just spray it with warm water and then scrape it off. A little messy but worth it . If the ceiling has been painted then cover it with new 3/8" drywall . Just replace the old lighting with some new track or pots in LED's