Yes, you can decorate the empty space above kitchen cabinets. This area, often a dusty, forgotten zone, is prime real estate for improving your kitchen’s look and function. We will explore many great ideas for styling above kitchen cabinets that suit any kitchen size or style.
Maximizing Vertical Kitchen Space: Why Bother Decorating Above Cabinets?
Many kitchens have a gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. This space can look unfinished or just plain empty. Utilizing space above kitchen cabinets does more than just look nice. It helps complete the kitchen design. It also offers chances for extra storage or display. Good design makes the room feel bigger and more planned. It adds personality to a room that is often very functional.
Benefits of Filling the Gap Above Kitchen Cabinets
- Aesthetics: It finishes the look of the cabinetry. No more awkward dust catchers!
- Height Perception: Tall displays can make the ceiling look higher. This is great for kitchens that feel small.
- Personal Touch: It is a place to show off favorite things. This makes the kitchen feel like yours.
- Practical Storage: Sometimes, it can hold less-used items safely away.
Different Approaches to Kitchen Cabinet Top Decor
How you decorate depends on the height of the gap and your kitchen style. Some gaps are small, others are quite large. We can group the solutions into three main areas: concealment, display, and function.
Concealing the Space: Making Cabinets Look Taller
If you want a clean, built-in look, the goal is to hide the gap. This is often the best route for modern or very traditional kitchens.
Installing Cabinets to the Ceiling
The best way to use the space is to extend the cabinets up. This removes the gap entirely.
- Custom Builds: Hire a carpenter to build extra boxes on top. These match your existing cabinets perfectly.
- Filler Pieces: Use wood trim or crown molding to bridge the gap. This makes the existing cabinets look custom-made. This technique is known as kitchen cabinet soffit decor when done smartly to look intentional rather than like a necessary filler.
Using Molding and Trim
If full extension isn’t possible, molding is the next best step.
- Crown Molding: Adding wide crown molding close to the ceiling draws the eye up. It gives a polished, architectural finish. Choose a profile that matches your existing cabinet door style. A deeper, more ornate molding works for traditional looks. Simple, clean molding suits modern kitchens.
Displaying Items: Kitchen Cabinet Top Decor Ideas
When the gap is too big for simple molding, or if you enjoy showcasing items, use the space for display. This falls under decorative items for kitchen cabinet tops.
Choosing the Right Height Consideration
If the gap is high (more than two feet), avoid small items. They will look lost. Stick to larger, lighter objects. If the gap is low (under one foot), be careful. Too much clutter can look messy.
| Gap Height Range | Best Items to Use | Styling Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Small (Under 1 ft) | Flat baskets, narrow vases, framed art leaning. | Keep it minimal. Focus on texture or color theme. |
| Medium (1-2 ft) | Medium baskets, taller ceramics, cookbooks stacked neatly. | Use items in odd numbers (3 or 5). |
| Large (Over 2 ft) | Large platters, oversized faux plants, decorative boxes. | Focus on height variation to fill the vertical space. |
Popular Decorative Items for Kitchen Cabinet Tops
- Cookware and Bakeware: Display vintage copper pots or colorful mixing bowls. Make sure they are clean!
- Ceramics and Vases: Grouping vases of varying heights creates visual interest. Use pieces that match your kitchen’s color scheme.
- Baskets and Trays: Woven baskets add natural texture. They are great for kitchen cabinet overflow storage if you use solid-sided ones that hide what is inside. Decorative trays can anchor a group of smaller items.
- Greenery (Faux or Real): Trailing faux ivy or tall, thin snake plants work well. They soften the hard lines of the cabinets. Real plants may struggle due to low light or heat from above the stove.
- Architectural Pieces: Clocks, small globes, or architectural models add character.
The Rule of Grouping
Do not just spread items out evenly. Group items in clusters of three or five. Vary the height within each cluster. This creates a dynamic look instead of a boring row.
Functional Storage Above Cabinets
If you need extra space, this area can be a clever spot for kitchen cabinet overflow storage. However, it needs to look intentional, not like junk storage.
Smart Storage Solutions
- Attractive Bins or Crates: Use matching, solid-colored bins or wooden crates. These hide the clutter inside. They are perfect for seasonal items, extra linens, or large serving pieces used only a few times a year. This is a practical way of utilizing space above kitchen cabinets.
- Lid Storage: Thin cutting boards or sheet pan lids can be stood on their edge and held by bookends. This keeps them accessible but out of the way.
- Cookbooks: Stack attractive cookbooks horizontally or vertically. Use a nice bookend to keep them tidy.
Incorporating Open Shelving Above Cabinets
Sometimes, the best way to deal with the space is to build up from the existing cabinets. This often involves installing open shelving above cabinets.
Why Add Shelves?
Open shelves give you display space that is more accessible than the space directly on top of the cabinet, which can be hard to reach.
- Structure: Build simple wood shelves that span the gap, resting on brackets attached to the wall or the cabinet tops.
- Display Focus: Use these shelves for items you use somewhat often, like frequently used spices in matching jars or everyday mugs.
- Visual Flow: Ensure the shelves match the finish or color of your cabinets or, conversely, offer a contrasting color for a modern look.
Design Considerations for Styling Above Kitchen Cabinets
To ensure your decorating job looks professional, you must consider scale, style, and light.
Scale and Proportion Are Key
The size of the items must fit the size of the gap.
- Too Small: Items look lost and cluttered.
- Too Big: Items look heavy and can make the ceiling feel lower.
If the cabinet run is long, you need more items or larger items to fill the horizontal space appropriately. A long, empty stretch looks awkward, even with one large item.
Matching Kitchen Style
The decor must fit the existing kitchen design.
- Farmhouse/Rustic: Think galvanized metal, rough wood crates, white ceramics, and greenery.
- Modern/Minimalist: Stick to a monochromatic color scheme (white, black, grey). Use very few items—perhaps just one tall, striking piece or simple geometric shapes.
- Traditional/Elegant: Use ornate molding, classic silver serving trays, crystal elements, or china displayed in stands.
Lighting Above Cabinets
Lighting can transform the area, especially if you are using it for display.
- Up-lighting: Install small LED strip lights or puck lights along the very top edge of the cabinet facing up towards the ceiling. This highlights any texture you have (like molding) and brightens the whole area.
- Spotlighting: If you have a deep gap, use small, directional spotlights mounted inside the cabinet top edge to focus beams onto specific decorative items.
Addressing Common Challenges in Filling Gap Above Kitchen Cabinets
This space comes with unique cleaning and safety issues that need addressing.
Dealing with Grease and Dust
The area above cabinets is notorious for collecting grease, especially if the cabinets are near the stove.
- Prioritize Easy Cleaning: If you are going to place items there, they must be easy to remove and clean.
- Washable Items: Choose ceramics, glass, or metal items that can be wiped down easily. Avoid porous items like unsealed wood or paper items if you cook frequently.
- Ventilation Check: Make sure your range hood ventilation is adequate. If grease is coating everything up there, the hood is not pulling enough air.
- Use Closed Storage: If the gap is large, use attractive lidded bins for kitchen cabinet overflow storage to keep dust and grease off the stored contents.
Reaching High Items Safely
If you place things up there, you need a safe way to get them down.
- Frequency of Use: Only store items you use once or twice a year up high. Daily items should be lower.
- Keep a Stool Handy: Always keep a sturdy step stool or small ladder accessible in or near the kitchen. Never climb on chairs or wobbly items.
Ways to Decorate Kitchen Cabinet Tops Based on Cabinet Height
The structure of your cabinets dramatically affects your options.
Standard Height Cabinets (Small Gap)
If the gap is only a few inches, your options are limited but impactful.
- Heavy Crown Molding: This is the number one choice for a built-in look.
- Flat Items: Leaning framed prints or displaying low, wide decorative boxes.
- Minimalist Look: Sometimes, leaving it completely bare and ensuring the cabinet top is perfectly clean is the most modern solution.
Taller Cabinets (Medium to Large Gap)
This scenario offers the most flexibility for kitchen cabinet top decor.
- Layering: Use a large anchor item (like a big woven basket) on one end and cluster three smaller items on the other end. Vary the height across the entire length.
- Creating Zones: If you have a very long run of cabinets, break the display into two or three distinct groupings rather than one long, continuous line.
- Using the Wall Space: If the gap is wide, consider hanging lightweight wall decor above the cabinet line, using the top surface as a base for the display.
Cabinets Without Soffits (Large Airspace)
If you have very high ceilings and an open space above, treating this area like a high shelf is best. This is where open shelving above cabinets can be integrated, or you must commit to large-scale decorations.
- Oversized Statements: Use very large, lightweight decorative elements. Think large, hollow ceramic urns or oversized light-weight architectural salvage pieces.
- Visual Weight: Ensure items have enough visual weight to not look like tiny toys floating high up.
Practical Application: A Step-by-Step Guide to Styling
Here is a simple process for refreshing that space today.
Step 1: Clean Thoroughly
Before placing anything new, clean the top surface well. Dust, grease, and grime are the enemy of good decor. Use a degreaser if needed. Let it dry completely.
Step 2: Define Your Goal
Do you need storage, or is this purely decorative?
- If storage is key, select attractive, matching containers for kitchen cabinet overflow storage.
- If decor is key, decide on a color palette (limit it to 2-3 main colors plus neutrals).
Step 3: Select Anchor Pieces (The Biggest Items)
Choose 2-3 substantial items that will take up the most space. These should be placed at varying points along the cabinet run. These items set the tone for the entire display.
Step 4: Fill Gaps with Medium Items
Use medium-sized items (like vases or bowls) to bridge the space between the anchors. Aim for odd numbers in any grouping.
Step 5: Add Texture and Height (The Smallest Touches)
Place the smallest items last. This might be a small candle holder, a piece of trailing greenery, or a small, uniquely shaped ceramic object. These pieces add the final layer of visual interest.
Step 6: Review from a Distance
Step back to the doorway or across the room. Does it look balanced? Are items too scattered? Adjust the groupings until the display flows naturally with the rest of the kitchen. This step is crucial for maximizing vertical kitchen space effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
Can I put food items above my kitchen cabinets?
It is generally not recommended to store actual food items (like spices or pantry goods) directly on top of cabinets, especially near the stove area. Heat and airborne grease will contaminate the food and make labels sticky. If you use containers for kitchen cabinet overflow storage, ensure they are completely sealed and used for non-perishables you rarely need.
Is it okay to leave the space above my cabinets empty?
Yes, if you have a very small gap or prefer a minimalist aesthetic, leaving the space empty is fine, provided the cabinet tops are kept perfectly clean and the cabinet line is finished well with appropriate molding (like crown molding). An empty but dusty space looks worse than a well-styled one.
How do I handle cabinets that meet the ceiling on one side but have a gap on the other?
In this case, you need to create continuity. The decorated side should use items that are visually anchored low. For example, run the kitchen cabinet top decor only on the side with the gap, but ensure the height of the tallest item on that side does not surpass the height of the adjacent ceiling-height cabinet. Use a tall, slender piece on the short end of the gap to visually connect to the higher section.
What is the best material for decorative items for kitchen cabinet tops if I have pets or children?
If you have pets that jump or children who might reach, prioritize unbreakable materials. Consider sturdy woven baskets, high-quality decorative metal boxes, or durable, heavy ceramics that are less likely to tip over or shatter if knocked loose during cleaning. Lightweight faux greenery is also safer than real, heavy plants.