would you be able to get rid of the soffit as well? it might look wierd if that's still there. I would take the window one down and leave the ones by the hood because that area will get more grease/dust so it helps to have the doors on there.

There pipes in the soffit, and getting rid of the one by kitchen window is easiest.

The soffit will look odd just hanging there over floating shelves, I see no reason to do it. I’m also a little concerned about the chosen hood that the chimney doesn’t align with the penetration in the exterior wall...

Good eye! My contractor is addressing the original construction alignment from 16 yrs ago.

It might just be the angle, or just the way I am seeing it, but the bottom of the cabinet seems quite low over the counter. Having them slightly higher, with lighting might make them look more open.

I have a natural dislike for open shelves because I don't trust myself to be tidy enough. There is also the cleaning issue.

I’ve got lights under the cabinets! They are even dimmable!!!
Unless I replace the cabinets, they won’t go higher. Again, we have 1980s construction to thank here. With the refresh in the kitchen, I am trying to avoid a full tip and replace.

Here was some inspiration from fellow Houzz’ers as to cabinet/shelving design ideas. (I thank them for posting)

I don't like open shelves with dishes on them next to a stove. The stuff on them can get greasy. Open shelves near the window are a safer bet.

Im not a fan of open shelves in a kitchen, you wont be able to store nearly as much on shelves as you can inside the cabinets.

I vote leave as is :)

Personally I’m not a big fan of upper cabinets - I find them a bit oppressive. The last inspiration pic showed the soffit was paneled in a matching light shade of stain to the open shelving - I think that would look great in your kitchen, open and airy. Purge some kitchen stuff you don’t need, use, or want - that’ll solve the storage issue from losing the uppers.

With the open shelving I would be putting items in the cabinets on the shelf. Mind you I could always get rid of a few older glasses. Couldn’t we all?
My cabinets are always tidy and clean.
Soffit is getting painted white.

Thanks all for your input! Great feedback and insights.

Open shelving would look great in your space. If you don’t absolutely need the extra storage space and can keep thhings neat, then go for it! It will make your kitchen look open and spacious. good luck and pls post photos when done.

...and never plan on having kids or grandkids around (who generate an ungodly mess of special dishes and cups). I can't imagine giving up the storage in a kitchen your size -- if you take them down, store them in the basement for when you repent at leisure!

Lol! I’m a bit away from having grandkids, so there is that.

I do like your idea of painting the soffits white. I don’t have soffits in the kitchen but I do in our basement and and small one in our powder room. Our contractor usually paints soffits white or one shade lighter , which works well to hide and blend the soffits into the wall.

Thanks for the pic! Yes, I’m looking to blend the soffit as much as possible into the back ground. White tile up to it, and then match with paint.

I’ve elected to go with removing the upper cabinets and go with shelves. I’ll extend the shelves to almost the same depth. Truthfully, I didn’t sleep last night.

I’m hopeful to repurpose the cabinets in the garage (no basement where I live- I do miss having one)

It’s a blank slate now...

Following👍👍

Taking a vote:
Stainless or white lights in the soffit?
Lights will be dimmable.
Soffit will be white.

Your kitchen looks so much better already without those cabinets!! I like both light options but vote for the white simply because the stainless is contrasting a bit more and will therefore draw more attention to the soffit - which I don’t think is what you are going for.

Just had a crazy idea - I see the sunlight coming in from the vent opening - could you eventually add two identical windows on either side of the vent opening? I did something similar - taking down the upper cabinets and replacing with a huge window - I’m lucky to have my storage is in drawer cabinets below and pantry cabinets. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful pics recently on Houzz of opening shelving in front of windows. You can’t have enough light in the kitchen IMHO.

Sorry - last comment - here’s a beautiful pic of open shelving in front of windows - with a soffit!

https://www.houzz.com/photos/lake-minnetonka-equestrian-influence-farmhouse-kitchen-minneapolis-phvw-vp~125549831

That’s really really nice kitchen. Great colors.Thks!
Love the idea of adding windows - and had jokingly mentioned that to my contractor...his response, “um no. Simply no”. My dear neighbors neighbors house is about 15/20 ft away. Now if I had a killer view...!

Gotcha! :) I contracted a window installer separate from our general contractor who renovated our kitchen - the window company took care of the drawings, permitting, building the supporting beam - just took a bit of time and planning and of course $. But our case the kitchen was west facing and the darkest room in the house and really needed more light from the south wall. I love your vision of your kitchen, the bright white tile and paint, and open shelving. I bet it looks and feels bigger already!

White light. Silver looks too conference room-y

That’s a great description....haven’t seen a conference room in months now...

White light

The entire soffit is coming out! Potentially a change in lighting strategy...hold tight.

Decision for floating walnut shelving. Simply beautiful planks of wood.

Very exciting!! Big Thumbs up for liberating the soffit and adding walnut shelving :)

One of my pet peeves in life (I have many of them; just ask my husband) are bull nose corners.
I just don’t understand them. Why do we need a rounded corner? How hard is it to make a 90 degree angle. But I digress.
So getting rid of the soffit also removes this design element as well. (Plus the orange peel on it)
Urchin- I like the squared up corners on your soffit...that looks nice and tidy.

@3boysand1mom Those bullnose corners seem to be a regional thing. I've never seen them in the Northeast.

How did your open shelves turn out?

Hello! They turned out great, and I couldn’t be happier with the end product. The walnut shelves are oh so lovely. I still have lights coming for above the shelves, but that is it.

Wow!!! Congratulations! your kitchen looks soooo much brighter and open. :) I Love everything - Enjoy your new and improved space!!

So nice!! Thx for sharing pics :)

Your new kitchen looks great! You can use some nice boxes for storage

Wow!! Your kitchen looks great. Removing the soffit was such a smart decision, it really opened up that space so your beautiful shelves can be the star of the show. The windows also looks so large now. I actually had to go back to the original pics because I didn’t believe it was the same size. Beautiful kitchen!

Great job!!! Thanks for sharing the after photo! I’m dying to see it with the lighting too!!!

So much brighter and spacious!!!!

When lights are up, I’ll post the original before and after.
When I first posted I had already updated the counters, and cooktop and replaced the window and door with bifold ones.
Houzzers thanks for taking me through the twists and turns of this update.
And yes, I do need a few select baskets (but have to add when hubby isn’t looking). Lol.

Nice job! Yes, those shelves are gorgeous. They really give a classy look to the whole room. Well done! Looking forward to the photos when the lighting is done.

Lights are up, and I am done. I am completely delighted with the finished product.
We also put in a bi-fold window (and door that you can’t see) and it feels so open at all times.
Thank you to all!
P.S. so glad I liberated the soffit!

I'm usually not a fan of grey counters but I like the combination of warm shelves and floors with the grey counters. I especially like your Goldendoodle. Mine likes to clean the kitchen floor when I'm cooking.

white to blend in with the ceiling. I love my shelves!

ive had to utilize a wire rack for storage in my kitchen as we slowly remodel. I had planned on doing open shelving to save money on cabinets. This will not be happening after having actually used open shelving. If you are a true minimalist I'd say go for it but if you own more than 4 bowls, 4 plates, 4 cups 🙃 id day skip it.