What should I put above my kitchen cupboards? You can put decorative items, practical storage solutions, plants, art, or even leave the space empty for a cleaner look. Filling the space above kitchen cabinets is a great way to add style and maximize vertical storage in your kitchen.
The gap between the top of your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling can often feel like wasted space. It can collect dust, making cleaning a chore. However, with smart design choices, this area becomes a prime spot for showcasing your style and adding function. Deciding what goes there depends on your ceiling height, your kitchen’s style, and how much storage you need. This guide explores many excellent kitchen cabinet top decor ideas to help you transform that often-ignored area.
Why Fill the Space Above Kitchen Cabinets?
Many homeowners face the dilemma of empty space above their upper cabinets. Addressing this area offers several key benefits. It instantly improves the kitchen’s look. It also helps stop dust buildup in hard-to-reach spots. Finally, it gives you extra storage if you need it.
Aesthetic Gains
A soffit or empty gap can look unfinished. Filling this space creates a cleaner, more custom look. It makes the cabinets look taller and draws the eye upward, making the room feel larger. Good kitchen wall decor above cabinets balances the room’s design.
Practical Storage
If your kitchen lacks storage, kitchen cupboard top storage is a smart solution. You can use attractive baskets or containers to hide things you don’t use daily.
Easier Cleaning
Believe it or not, filling the gap can make cleaning simpler. A flat surface or a sealed top catches dust less easily than a narrow ledge. If you use attractive storage items, you limit the flat surface area exposed to dust.
Design Approaches for Kitchen Cabinet Tops
There are two main ways to handle the space above your cabinets: seal it off completely or decorate the open area.
Option 1: Building a Soffit or Bulkhead
A soffit is a structural element built over the cabinets, closing the gap to the ceiling. This is the most common solution, often done during initial construction or renovation.
Benefits of a Soffit
- Clean Look: It provides a seamless, built-in look.
- No Dust Traps: There is no ledge for dust and grease to settle on.
- Easier Maintenance: You wipe down a flat surface, not an awkward gap.
Kitchen Cabinet Soffit Alternatives
If you don’t want a traditional, solid soffit, there are alternatives that still seal the top area:
- Crown Molding Extension: You can extend the crown molding all the way to the ceiling. This gives the look of a soffit but uses decorative trim.
- Dropped Ceiling Panel: A simple panel attached to the cabinet tops and resting against the ceiling creates a clean boundary without looking too heavy.
Option 2: Decorating the Open Space
If you have high ceilings or prefer a more open look, leaving the space open allows for creative display ideas above kitchen cabinets. This works best if you have at least 12 to 18 inches of space.
Creative Kitchen Cabinet Top Decor Ideas
When you choose to display items, think about scale, color, and theme. You want items that are visually interesting but not overwhelming. Remember, these items are high up, so they should be things that look good from below.
1. Introducing Greenery: Plants and Faux Florals
Plants add life and color to any kitchen. They are a top choice for decorative items for kitchen cabinet tops.
Real Plants for High Spots
If the space gets good light, consider resilient, trailing plants. They drape nicely over the cabinet edges.
- Pothos (Devil’s Ivy): Very easy to care for and tolerates lower light.
- Spider Plants: Their arching leaves create a soft look.
- Air Plants (Tillandsia): If you have excellent light, these require minimal watering and soil.
Faux Greenery
If light is poor or you lack time for care, high-quality faux plants are a fantastic option. Choose realistic varieties to avoid a cheap look. Greenery instantly softens hard kitchen lines.
2. Using Baskets and Attractive Storage Containers
This is the perfect marriage of form and function. It addresses utilizing space above kitchen cabinets while keeping the look tidy.
Choosing the Right Baskets
Opt for natural materials like woven rattan, sea grass, or wire. They bring warmth and texture to the kitchen.
- Uniformity is Key: Use baskets of the same material or color. This keeps the display cohesive, even if the contents vary.
- What to Store: Use them for less frequently used items like seasonal linens, extra large serving platters, or backup paper goods. This hides clutter effectively.
3. Showcasing Collections and Cookware
If you collect specific items, this high space is a wonderful gallery. This falls under styling above kitchen cabinets in a personalized way.
Pottery and Ceramics
Displaying beautiful mixing bowls, pitchers, or decorative vases works well.
- Color Coordination: Match the pottery to your kitchen color scheme. Blue and white ceramics look great in traditional kitchens. Earth tones suit farmhouse styles.
- Varying Heights: Use a few taller items and several shorter ones to create visual interest.
Vintage and Antique Finds
Old copper pots, colorful enamelware, or antique tins add instant character. Copper pieces reflect light nicely, drawing the eye upward.
4. Artwork and Mirrors
Art can be tricky up high, but done right, it makes a huge statement.
Framed Prints
Choose prints that fit the kitchen theme, like botanical illustrations or abstract pieces using kitchen colors. Use light frames, as heavy dark frames can look imposing from below.
Small Mirrors
A few small, decorative mirrors can reflect light around the room, making the kitchen feel brighter and slightly larger. Ensure they are placed where they won’t reflect anything unsightly.
5. Architectural Elements and Accents
Sometimes, the best decoration is something that emphasizes height and structure.
- Faux Columns or Pedestals: Use small, decorative architectural pieces to elevate key items like a single large vase.
- Decorative Trays: A large, beautiful tray can group smaller items neatly together. This prevents the look from becoming too busy.
Tips for Successful Styling Above Kitchen Cabinets
The main challenge when decorating above cabinets is maintaining balance and proportion. Items placed too high can look awkward or out of reach.
H5: Scale Matters: Keep It Substantial
Because these items are viewed from a distance, they need to be larger than you might think. Small knick-knacks will disappear or look like dust collectors.
| Space Gap (Inches) | Recommended Item Size | Visual Impact Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 6–10 inches | Small to Medium Baskets/Vases | Subtle texture and containment. |
| 12–18 inches | Large Baskets, Medium Artwork, Cookware Sets | Clear focal points, strong texture. |
| 20+ inches | Large Statement Pieces (e.g., Large Wicker Baskets, Tall Pottery) | Significant visual anchor, custom look. |
H5: Maintain Breathing Room
Avoid crowding the space. Leave some empty spots between items. This allows each piece to be seen and appreciated. A full display looks cluttered and heavy. Aim for visual triangles—arrange items in groups of three or five, varying heights.
H5: Consider the View From the Center of the Room
Look at the items from the kitchen entrance. Do they look balanced over the entire run of cabinets? If you have a stove in the middle, center a taller item there.
H5: Matching Your Kitchen Style
Your kitchen upper cabinet accessories should match your existing decor.
- Modern/Minimalist: Use sleek, monochromatic ceramics, stainless steel accents, or simple, tall glass containers. Keep the palette very restricted.
- Farmhouse/Rustic: Woven baskets, galvanized metal bins, weathered wood pieces, and simple greenery thrive here.
- Traditional/Classic: Use classic china, brass accents, or deep-toned pottery. Crown molding integration works perfectly here.
Function Over Form: Storage Solutions
If style takes a backseat to utility, focus on effective kitchen cupboard top storage. The goal here is smart concealment.
H4: Heavy-Duty Bins for Bulk Items
Use sturdy containers for things you need occasionally but don’t want cluttering your main cabinets.
- Occasional Serving Ware: Large punch bowls or holiday platters.
- Bulk Dry Goods: If you buy rice or flour in huge bags, store them in airtight containers here until you transfer them to lower cabinets.
- Small Appliances: Items like specialized mixers or panini presses that are used seasonally.
H4: Utilizing Specialty Racks
If the space allows, you can install shallow shelving units that rest on top of the cabinets. These are often open-backed and use brackets to secure them to the wall above. This is an excellent example of utilizing space above kitchen cabinets for accessible storage. These shelves can hold cookbooks or frequently used glass jars.
Addressing Awkwardly High Ceilings
When ceilings are very tall (10 feet or more), the space above the cabinets can look vast. Decorating this high area requires large-scale pieces.
H5: Large-Scale Statement Pieces
If the gap is over two feet, small items will look lost. Invest in one or two very large, high-impact pieces.
- Oversized Wreaths: A very large, beautiful seasonal wreath (e.g., holiday greens or grapevine in summer) can fill a lot of vertical space beautifully.
- Large Statement Vases: A single, tall, sculptural vase anchors the space effectively.
- Molding Wraps: Sometimes, the best way to fill space above kitchen cabinets in a very high room is to add extra layers of substantial crown molding. This visually brings the ceiling down to meet the cabinets, making the kitchen feel cozier.
H5: Lighting as Decor
Use the height to your advantage by installing specialized lighting. Uplighting can be installed on top of the cabinets, shining upwards onto the ceiling. This adds ambiance and highlights the architecture of the room, drawing attention away from a dusty ledge.
Making It Look Professional: Integration Over Addition
The key to successful display ideas above kitchen cabinets is making the decorations look like they belong there, not like an afterthought.
H4: Following the Cabinet Lines
Ensure your display items follow the horizontal lines of the cabinets. Avoid having items jutting out unevenly unless it is an intentional focal point. If you have cabinets that stop short of the wall, treat that space differently than the space above the main cabinet run.
H4: The Importance of Symmetry (or Controlled Asymmetry)
In traditional kitchens, symmetry is comforting. Place a large, central item and flank it with two smaller, identical pieces. In modern kitchens, use controlled asymmetry: one tall item, one medium item, and one low item grouped together on one end, balanced by empty space on the other.
H4: Color Palette Consistency
Even if you are using many different objects, stick to a limited color palette (two or three main colors plus neutrals). If your kitchen is white and gray, don’t introduce bright red pottery unless red is already a major accent color in the room (like on bar stools or an appliance).
Maintenance and Practical Concerns
Decorating up high presents unique cleaning challenges. You need to weigh the visual appeal against the effort required to maintain it.
Dusting High Spaces
This is the biggest downside to kitchen cabinet top decor. Dust and grease accumulate quickly, especially near the stove.
- Use Washable Items: Choose baskets or items that can be easily removed and shaken out or wiped down annually.
- Feather Dusters with Extension Poles: Invest in a good microfiber duster that reaches high areas comfortably.
- Limit Porous Items: Highly porous items like unsealed wicker or rough terracotta absorb grease and dust more easily than smooth glass or glazed ceramics.
Heat and Steam Near Cooking Areas
If cabinets are directly above the stove or near a high-output vent hood, avoid placing highly sensitive materials there.
- Avoid Wood/Paper: Heat and steam can warp wood or cause paper/cardboard items to deteriorate faster.
- Favor Ceramic or Metal: These materials handle minor temperature fluctuations better.
Summary of Top Ideas for Utilizing Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
Here is a quick reference chart summarizing the best kitchen cabinet top decor options based on desired outcome:
| Goal | Top Idea | Style Notes | LSI Keyword Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Style | Curated Collections (Pottery/Glassware) | Ensure large scale and cohesive color. | Decorative items for kitchen cabinet tops |
| Hidden Storage | Uniform Woven Baskets | Match basket material; use for seasonal items. | Kitchen cupboard top storage |
| Cleanest Look | Extended Crown Molding / Soffit | Seamless transition to ceiling. | Kitchen cabinet soffit alternatives |
| Adding Life | Trailing Faux or Real Plants | Allow vines to gently drape over the edge. | Styling above kitchen cabinets |
| Brightening Space | Selective Use of Mirrors/Light-Toned Metal | Reflect light upwards to draw the eye. | Kitchen wall decor above cabinets |
The decision on what to put above kitchen cupboards really comes down to whether you prioritize a seamless, built-in look (soffit) or a chance to personalize and display cherished items (open decor). By carefully selecting items that fit your kitchen’s scale and style, you can transform this forgotten zone into a beautiful feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it a bad idea to leave space above kitchen cabinets empty?
A: No, it is not inherently bad. If you have very high ceilings or prefer an ultra-modern, minimalist look, leaving the space open can look clean and intentional. However, be prepared for that horizontal ledge to collect dust and grease easily.
Q: What are the best materials to use for kitchen cabinet top decor regarding cleaning?
A: Smooth, non-porous materials are the easiest to clean. Think glazed ceramics, glass, metal, or high-quality plastic storage bins. Woven natural materials like rattan are harder to clean effectively because they trap dust deep in the fibers.
Q: Should I try to match the height of my cabinets to the ceiling?
A: This is often the most popular choice for a custom kitchen feel. If you can afford the renovation, adding a soffit or installing substantial crown molding to meet the ceiling gives the most polished, expensive look and solves all dust issues. This is the ultimate kitchen cabinet soffit alternative if you want a closed top.
Q: Can I use real food items like large pasta jars above cabinets?
A: Yes, but only if the jars are truly airtight and the space is not directly above a heat source. Clear glass jars filled with colorful dry pasta or beans can be great display ideas above kitchen cabinets, but check the seals regularly.
Q: How high should items be placed for good visual impact?
A: Generally, the base of the decorative items should sit at or just above the top edge of the cabinet. The bulk of the item should occupy the middle third of the space above, leaving breathing room near the ceiling. This ensures they are visible without looking like they are precariously balanced.