What To Put On Top Of Kitchen Cabinets Ideas: Decor, Storage, and Styling Tips

You can put many things on top of kitchen cabinets. People often use this space for kitchen cabinet top decor, extra storage, or simply to make the room look better. Some choose decorative items like baskets or vases. Others might store seldom-used kitchen equipment. Finally, some homeowners opt for kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives to finish the look.

The space above kitchen cabinets is often overlooked. It runs from the top of your upper cabinets straight up to the ceiling. This area can be a dust collector, or it can become a stylish feature in your kitchen. Deciding what to put there depends on your ceiling height, your kitchen style, and how much storage you need. This guide will give you many ideas for decorating above kitchen cabinets so you can make the most of this high space.

Why People Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets

Many kitchens have a gap between the cabinets and the ceiling. This gap can look unfinished or messy. Filling this space, even just with a few choice items, changes the whole look of the kitchen. It helps draw the eye upward. This makes the room feel taller and more open.

Display ideas for kitchen cabinets allow you to show off special items. It’s a great spot for things that don’t fit elsewhere. It is also a way to add color or texture to your kitchen design.

Measuring Your Space: A Key First Step

Before buying anything, you must measure. Get the height of the space between your cabinets and the ceiling. Also, measure the depth of the space. This stops you from buying things that are too big or too small.

Measurement Type	Tool Needed	Why It Matters
Height Gap	Tape Measure	Dictates the height of any items or added trim.
Depth of Space	Tape Measure	Shows how far objects can stick out over the cabinet.
Width of Cabinets	Tape Measure	Helps plan groupings of items.

Knowing these numbers is vital for successful styling the top of kitchen cabinets.

Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets: Aesthetic Choices

When thinking about what to place on top of kitchen cabinets, think about your kitchen’s overall style. A modern kitchen needs sleek items. A farmhouse kitchen looks great with rustic pieces.

Incorporating Greenery and Life

Plants bring life into any room. If the area above your cabinets gets good light, use real plants. If not, high-quality fake plants work well too.

Trailing Vines: Pothos or ivy plants look wonderful draping slightly over the cabinet edge. They soften the hard lines of the cabinets.
Faux Succulents: These need no care and look modern and clean. Group small pots together for impact.
Large Faux Ferns: A big, bushy fake fern can fill a tall space nicely. It adds height and fullness.

Using Attractive Kitchenware

If you have beautiful china or serving pieces, this is the place to show them off. These pieces count as functional art.

Antique Serving Platters: Lean large, decorated platters against the wall. Use stands if needed.
Colorful Bowls or Vases: Group mismatched but coordinated bowls. This adds pops of color.
Teapots and Coffee Makers: If you collect vintage kitchen gear, display your favorite pieces here.

These items for kitchen cabinet tops should match your kitchen’s color scheme. Stick to three main colors for a polished look.

Adding Warmth with Baskets and Containers

Baskets are excellent for adding texture. They also offer a place to hide less attractive items, making them a dual-purpose choice.

Woven Baskets: Use different sizes and shapes. Wicker or rattan adds a warm, natural feel. They are great for utilizing space above kitchen cabinets for light storage.
Metal Tins or Canisters: Old cookie tins or decorative metal containers work well in country or vintage-style kitchens.

Artistic Touches: Pictures and Sculptures

Small pieces of art can personalize the space.

Framed Artwork: Use lightweight frames. Choose art that relates to food, nature, or geometric shapes that match your room.
Ceramic Sculptures: Small, unique statues or abstract ceramic pieces add an artistic flair. Keep the pieces simple so they don’t look cluttered.

Storage Solutions for the Top Shelf

Sometimes, you need the space for more than just looks. Utilizing space above kitchen cabinets for actual storage is smart, especially in small homes. The key is to make the storage look intentional, not messy.

Closed Storage for Clutter Control

If you put things up high, you want them hidden slightly. Closed containers look tidier than open stacks of boxes.

Matching Storage Bins: Buy matching bins or boxes. Label the fronts clearly. This looks organized, even if you store holiday napkins or extra plastic wrap inside.
Decorative Crates: Wooden crates can hold lightweight items. Stacking them neatly looks deliberate.

Storing Large, Infrequently Used Items

What items only come out once or twice a year? The top of the cabinets is the perfect, out-of-sight spot.

Specialty Cookware: Think about turkey roasting pans or extra-large stockpots.
Holiday Decor: Store lighter seasonal decorations here, like plastic holiday serving dishes.
Extra Linens: Keep spare tablecloths or rarely used formal napkins tucked away in bins.

Tip for Weight: Be careful not to overload the tops of the cabinets. Cabinets are designed to hold weight inside, not necessarily massive weight resting on top of them for years. Check your cabinet manufacturer’s guidelines if possible.

Architectural Enhancements: Finishing the Look

If you have a significant gap between your cabinets and the ceiling, adding trim can make the cabinets look custom-built and taller. This moves away from simple décor toward architectural fixes.

Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding

Crown molding is the traditional way to finish the top edge of cabinets. It is trim that slopes outward from the wall to the cabinet top.

Standard Crown Molding: This is classic trim used to close the gap. It gives a very formal, built-in look.
Stacked Molding: For very high ceilings, you can use two different styles of molding stacked on top of each other. This adds complexity and height.

Kitchen Cabinet Cornice Ideas

A cornice is similar to molding but often has a more pronounced projection or decorative shape.

Dentil Molding: This has a row of small, tooth-like blocks. It looks very traditional and elegant.
Beaded or Rope Trim: These feature textured patterns, good for adding detail to simpler cabinets.

If your cabinets don’t reach the ceiling, using molding or a cornice effectively creates the illusion that they do. This is a great alternative to purely decorative items for kitchen cabinet tops.

Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding Alternatives

What if traditional wood molding isn’t your style, or you want something easier to install?

Applied Trim Pieces: Instead of a full molding piece, use simple trim strips directly onto the cabinet top edge to create a clean line.
Faux Upper Cabinets: Some homeowners build simple, lightweight boxes that match the cabinet color and place them on top. This creates the look of a second, shorter row of cabinets. This is a very effective kitchen cabinet topper idea.
Simple Bulkhead: If the space is very deep, you can sometimes build a simple, flat fascia board that covers the gap entirely. This creates a very clean, modern look where the top space is hidden completely.

Styling Tips for Visual Appeal

How you arrange your chosen items is as important as what you choose. Good styling keeps the area looking intentional and not cluttered.

The Rule of Three and Odd Numbers

Grouping items in threes or fives is visually pleasing. Odd numbers are naturally more engaging to the eye than even numbers.

Try three similarly shaped, but differently sized, vases.
Group five small potted herbs together.

This simple tip makes any collection of kitchen cabinet top decor look instantly better.

Varying Heights and Textures

A flat line of objects looks boring. Create visual interest by varying the height of your items.

Place the tallest item in the middle of the grouping.
Use shorter items or flatter items (like baskets) on the sides.
Mix textures: pair smooth glass with rough wicker or matte ceramics.

Keeping It Balanced

If your kitchen is mostly dark cabinets, use lighter colors on top to lift the eye. If your cabinets are white, use darker, richer tones (like deep blue ceramics or dark wood) to anchor the top space. Balance means making sure the visual weight is spread evenly across the top of all the cabinets.

Dealing with Awkward Corners

Corners can be tricky. Don’t just stick one small item there.

Use a tall, narrow item like a floor vase (if the height allows).
Place a large, attractive basket that turns the corner slightly.
If the space is truly awkward, use molding or a cornice to cover the corner gap instead of trying to decorate it.

Maintenance and Practical Concerns

Decorating up high means dealing with dust and cleaning challenges.

Dusting and Cleaning Challenges

The top of cabinets is a magnet for dust, grease, and airborne particles.

Choose Washable Items: If you use fake plants, make sure their leaves can be wiped down easily.
Limit Delicate Items: Avoid items with many small crevices that trap dust.
Establish a Routine: Plan to clean the tops every three to six months. Use a microfiber duster on an extension pole for easy access.

If you choose open display ideas for kitchen cabinets right against the ceiling line, cleaning will be harder. Items placed slightly further away from the ceiling are easier to reach and wipe around.

Lighting the Area

If the area above your cabinets is dark, your decor will get lost. Good lighting can really highlight your kitchen cabinet top decor.

Under-Cabinet Lighting: While this lights the counter, the upward glow can softly illuminate the bottom edge of items stored above.
Recessed Lighting: If you have ceiling pot lights, ensure one or two are aimed slightly toward the cabinets to wash the top area with light.
Battery-Operated Puck Lights: You can attach small, remote-controlled lights to the underside of the decorative items or the top of the cabinet box itself. This creates a dramatic uplight effect without needing wiring.

Safety First

If you use items that are tall or heavy, stability is key.

Secure Tall Items: Very tall vases or narrow sculptures should be placed against the wall or secured lightly with museum putty. A slight bump from a passing ladder or cleaning brush could knock them down.
Weight Distribution: Never stack very heavy items like cast iron pans high up without knowing the cabinet’s structural limits. Baskets filled with light items are safer than stacks of heavy books.

Case Studies: Style Applications

Let’s look at how different kitchen styles handle the space above the cabinets.

The Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

This style loves texture and a slightly curated, vintage feel.

Item Type	Specific Example	Styling Tip
Containers	Galvanized metal bins or white enamel pots.	Use one large bin and two smaller ones.
Decor	Simple, white ceramic pitchers or dough bowls.	Keep colors muted (white, gray, cream).
Finish	Install simple, thick wood trim as a kitchen cabinet cornice idea.	Use stained wood that matches the floor or island.

This approach focuses on natural materials and practical-looking storage while still keeping the look neat.

The Contemporary Kitchen

Modern kitchens favor clean lines and minimal clutter.

Minimalist Decor: Use only one or two statement pieces, like a single, tall, abstract glass sculpture.
Hidden Storage: The best option here is often a complete finish using kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives like a flat bulkhead that hides the gap entirely. If storage is necessary, use sleek, matte black or white boxes with no labels.
Color: Stick to monochromatic schemes—all white, all black, or shades of gray.

The Traditional Kitchen

This style welcomes abundance and detail.

Rich Decor: Use items with ornate details, like gilded frames or dark wood carvings.
Display Ideas: Arrange a collection of antique copper pots or colored glass bottles.
Finishing Touch: Crown molding is essential here. Choose detailed profiles like crown or bead molding. This is the perfect place for kitchen cabinet topper ideas that mimic classic architecture.

Deciphering Your Ceiling Height vs. Gap Size

The size of the empty space greatly affects your choices.

Small Gap (Less than 12 Inches)

When the gap is small, your options are limited but easier to manage.

Moldings are Best: This space is perfect for adding standard crown molding to make the cabinets look seamless.
Shallow Baskets: If you must decorate, choose very shallow baskets or flat-backed items that won’t jut out much.
Avoid Clutter: Too many small items for kitchen cabinet tops in a small space look messy quickly.

Medium Gap (12 to 24 Inches)

This is the most common size and offers the most flexibility.

Decorative Groupings: You have room for arrangements of three to five items of varying heights. This is ideal for decorating above kitchen cabinets with pitchers, vases, and plants.
Medium Baskets: You can use deeper baskets for functional storage without them looking overwhelming.

Large Gap (Over 24 Inches)

This space requires large-scale items or architectural solutions to prevent the top from looking sparse or unfinished.

Tall Elements: You need tall items, such as floor vases or very tall, slender sculptures, to fill the vertical space.
Building Up: This gap is where kitchen cabinet topper ideas like adding a second, shorter row of cabinets or building a full soffit/bulkhead look most natural.
Visual Weight: Use heavier visual items to fill the space, like large wicker baskets or grouped framed art.

Final Thoughts on Styling the Top of Kitchen Cabinets

Making decisions about what to place on top of kitchen cabinets is a fun design choice. Whether you lean toward practical storage or purely decorative flair, the goal is to finish the room. Remember to keep your overall kitchen aesthetic in mind. Balance visual appeal with accessibility for cleaning. By measuring carefully and selecting items that complement your style, you transform forgotten space into a deliberate design feature. Good display ideas for kitchen cabinets make your whole kitchen feel more custom and complete.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I store heavy items on top of my kitchen cabinets?

Generally, it is best to avoid placing very heavy items, like large stacks of books or heavy cast iron, on top of kitchen cabinets. Cabinets are engineered to hold weight internally. Excessive, long-term weight on the top surface might stress the joints or compromise the cabinet structure over time. Stick to lighter décor, baskets, or infrequently used but light cookware.

Is it okay if the items on top of my cabinets don’t reach the ceiling?

Yes, it is absolutely fine if your kitchen cabinet top decor does not touch the ceiling. In fact, leaving a small gap (especially if you are not using crown molding) can make the arrangement look lighter and less heavy. If the gap is very large (over 18 inches), aim for tall items or consider using crown molding to visually bridge the gap.

How often should I clean the area above my kitchen cabinets?

Because this area is high and subject to upward drafts of heat and grease, it collects dust and grime quickly. Aim to clean the tops every three to six months. Use a long-handled duster or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to manage dust buildup efficiently.

Should I use real plants or artificial plants above my cabinets?

If the area receives little to no sunlight and has poor air circulation, artificial plants are the best choice. Real plants require light and watering, which is difficult to manage high up. If you do use real plants, choose low-light, drought-tolerant options like snake plants or ZZ plants, and ensure you can safely reach them for watering.

What is the difference between crown molding and a cornice for cabinets?

Crown molding is a type of trim that generally slopes upward from the cabinet to the ceiling, offering a smooth transition. A cornice is often more substantial and may project further out from the cabinet face, sometimes featuring more decorative profiles (like dentil work). They both serve to finish the cabinet line, but a cornice can be a bolder design statement.

How do I make sure my decor doesn’t look cluttered?

To avoid clutter when styling the top of kitchen cabinets, limit your color palette to two or three main colors. Group items in odd numbers (three or five). Ensure there is empty space between groupings. Use matching containers if you are utilizing the space for storage, which helps unify disparate items for kitchen cabinet tops.