Soffits are essentially drywall-covered boxes which fit between your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling above. They were popular during the 1970s and 1980s as part of kitchen layouts but can make current kitchens appear dated. They also take up a great deal of usable space. Taking away the soffits in the kitchen can make the room look taller, in addition to more modern. It can also pave the way for newer, taller cabinets to increase the storage from the kitchen.
Find the studs along the soffit using a stud finder. Find a spot between the studs that is also in a discreet area to cut an 8-inch hole in the soffit using a drywall saw. Pull the drywall down and shine a torch inside. In about 25 percent of all kitchens using soffits, the soffit is concealing plumbing, wiring or something else. Check to make sure that your soffit is empty of anything significant before you move any farther.
Run a utility knife around the top of the soffit where it meets the ceiling to decrease the drywall tape. This will keep the ceiling from becoming damaged as you pull the soffit.
Bang a few holes to the soffit between the studs using a sledgehammer or mallet. Insert a pry bar to the holes and then pull the drywall down. This will expose the frame of the soffit.
Take a look at what’s holding the framing with them. Unscrew any screws at the joists, or use a hammer and chisel to bang apart any nailed boards. Pull down the framing down from above the cabinets.