10 Bold Reasons to Build a Bulkhead in Your Kitchen
Kitchen bulkheads are no longer just utilitarian – they are becoming an ever more stylish and sophisticated design feature
While the name isn’t the sexiest, a bulkhead can certainly be an attractive feature in a kitchen. A bulkhead is a lower portion of the ceiling and is predominantly installed for functional reasons: to conceal services, to project air conditioning and to mask changes in ceiling heights. But kitchen bulkheads can also serve as decorative design features, as well as defining the kitchen area in an open-plan setting. Here are 10 reasons to build a bulkhead into your kitchen.
2. To define space
When it comes to open-plan kitchen and living areas, a bulkhead can be used to great effect, serving to define space and function. This bulkhead extends from two walls to span the kitchen, ending in line with the kitchen island. Being white, it contrasts with the timber-lined ceiling in the rest of the large open space. It also offers the opportunity for recessed lighting, pendant lighting and greater air projection.
Take a tour of this house
When it comes to open-plan kitchen and living areas, a bulkhead can be used to great effect, serving to define space and function. This bulkhead extends from two walls to span the kitchen, ending in line with the kitchen island. Being white, it contrasts with the timber-lined ceiling in the rest of the large open space. It also offers the opportunity for recessed lighting, pendant lighting and greater air projection.
Take a tour of this house
3. To enclose the kitchen
A dropped ceiling provides a sense of enclosure in the kitchen. In this case, the kitchen bulkhead functions like a canopy extending from the wall of joinery behind.
A dropped ceiling provides a sense of enclosure in the kitchen. In this case, the kitchen bulkhead functions like a canopy extending from the wall of joinery behind.
4. To project air
A bulkhead can be used to project air further into a room, especially in a large open-plan living space. It means the air isn’t blowing directly over the kitchen bench, and by virtue of its more centralised position, creates better air circulation and climate control throughout the room.
A bulkhead can be used to project air further into a room, especially in a large open-plan living space. It means the air isn’t blowing directly over the kitchen bench, and by virtue of its more centralised position, creates better air circulation and climate control throughout the room.
5. To add dimension
This kitchen has a bulkhead that encloses the space above the top of the cupboards as well as over the kitchen bench, adding greater dimension to the kitchen.
Graeme Wilson of LWK Kitchens describes the effect as a ‘recessed look’. The 245-millimetre-high bulkhead runs above the kitchen bench and a 360-millimetre-high bulkhead encloses the space above the cupboards. “The bulkheads were also practical as they hid the feed for the spotlights,” says Wilson.
How to plan your L-shaped kitchen
This kitchen has a bulkhead that encloses the space above the top of the cupboards as well as over the kitchen bench, adding greater dimension to the kitchen.
Graeme Wilson of LWK Kitchens describes the effect as a ‘recessed look’. The 245-millimetre-high bulkhead runs above the kitchen bench and a 360-millimetre-high bulkhead encloses the space above the cupboards. “The bulkheads were also practical as they hid the feed for the spotlights,” says Wilson.
How to plan your L-shaped kitchen
6. To create a shadowline
This kitchen bulkhead is installed as if suspended from the ceiling. The effect is that it creates a shadowline, which suits the colour palette of the grey kitchen island below it.
This kitchen bulkhead is installed as if suspended from the ceiling. The effect is that it creates a shadowline, which suits the colour palette of the grey kitchen island below it.
7. To play with materials
While a bulkhead can help define the kitchen area, the use of materials can also define the bulkhead. Encased in timber slats and with recessed lighting, the bulkhead here is a standout feature – a perfect accompaniment to the warm leather sofas.
While a bulkhead can help define the kitchen area, the use of materials can also define the bulkhead. Encased in timber slats and with recessed lighting, the bulkhead here is a standout feature – a perfect accompaniment to the warm leather sofas.
9. To add visual balance
A bulkhead over a kitchen island not only conceals services, but is typically installed to mimic the size and shape of other elements and geometries in the kitchen to create visual balance. Here, a bulkhead is a slim and subtle addition with dimensions mimicking those of the kitchen island below it.
A bulkhead over a kitchen island not only conceals services, but is typically installed to mimic the size and shape of other elements and geometries in the kitchen to create visual balance. Here, a bulkhead is a slim and subtle addition with dimensions mimicking those of the kitchen island below it.
10. To reduce cleaning
There’s no more cleaning above kitchen cupboards when a bulkhead has been installed to enclose that dreaded space. This kitchen has a bulkhead that boxes in the otherwise unused space between the top of the cupboards and ceiling, while providing a cover-up for an air-conditioning unit.
A buyer’s guide to air-conditioning systems
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Is your bulkhead a stand-out design feature in your kitchen? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
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There’s no more cleaning above kitchen cupboards when a bulkhead has been installed to enclose that dreaded space. This kitchen has a bulkhead that boxes in the otherwise unused space between the top of the cupboards and ceiling, while providing a cover-up for an air-conditioning unit.
A buyer’s guide to air-conditioning systems
TELL US
Is your bulkhead a stand-out design feature in your kitchen? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
MORE
Browse more stories about kitchen features
A kitchen bulkhead is a boxy ceiling structure that is often built to hide unsightly services, such as wiring, pipes, plumbing, air-conditioning or structure. They are commonly installed in four different locations: