You might ask, “What is the best way to decorate the space above my kitchen cabinets?” The best approach involves balancing aesthetics with practicality. You can use this area for attractive kitchen cabinet decor, essential storage solutions above cabinets, or a mix of both. This unused space is a prime spot for adding personality or keeping seldom-used items close at hand.
Why Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets Matters
Many kitchens have a gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. This space, often ignored, can look unfinished or collect dust. Properly filling this area changes the whole look of your kitchen. It helps tie the room together. Good decorating above kitchen cabinets makes the room feel complete. It can make standard cabinets look custom and taller. This area offers a chance to show off your style. It is a key part of overall kitchen cabinet decor.
Making the Kitchen Feel Taller
When cabinets stop short of the ceiling, the room can feel squat. Placing tall items or using continuous lines draws the eye upward. This visual trick makes the ceilings look higher. This is a simple way to change the feel of your space.
Controlling Dust and Clutter
If the space is left empty, it becomes a dust magnet. Dust settles quickly on flat surfaces up top. Filling the area, either with decorations or closed storage, cuts down on cleaning time. It keeps the kitchen looking neat.
Design Choices: Open Display vs. Closed Storage
When planning what to put on top of kitchen cabinets, you face a main choice: display your favorite things or hide away extras? Both methods have pros and cons.
Open Display: Showcasing Your Style
Displaying items above cabinets lets you add color, texture, and personality to the room. This area becomes a focal point for your kitchen cabinet decor.
What to Display
Choose items that match your kitchen’s style. Keep the look light and airy. Avoid crowding the space.
- Decorative Baskets: Woven baskets add warmth and texture. They hide smaller items loosely while looking stylish. They are great stylish toppers for kitchen cabinets.
- Faux Greenery: Artificial plants or vines drape nicely over the edges. They add a touch of life without the need for watering. Choose long, trailing pieces for a softer look.
- Oversized Cookbooks: Stack a few large, colorful cookbooks. This looks smart and suggests a love for cooking.
- Ceramics and Pottery: Display favorite serving dishes, unique vases, or colorful bowls. Make sure they are pieces you enjoy looking at daily.
- Themed Decor: For holidays, you can swap out items. Put out festive items for Christmas or fall.
Tips for Effective Displaying Items Above Cabinets
Too many items look messy. Less is often more in this high-up space.
- Use Odd Numbers: Group items in threes or fives. This looks more balanced than even numbers.
- Vary Heights: Mix tall, medium, and short items. This creates visual interest.
- Stick to a Color Palette: Ensure the items complement your cabinet color and overall kitchen scheme. Don’t let the decorations clash with your main design.
Closed Storage: Utilizing Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
If you need extra room for things you don’t use often, utilizing space above kitchen cabinets for storage is smart. This keeps things handy but out of sight.
Smart Storage Solutions Above Cabinets
This method works best if you can use attractive containers to hide the contents.
- Matching Bins or Totes: Find bins that fit snugly underneath the cabinet tops. Use identical bins for a clean, uniform look. These are excellent storage solutions above cabinets.
- Seasonal Servingware: Store holiday platters, specialized baking pans, or extra glassware here. These items are needed only once or twice a year.
- Extra Linens: Fold tablecloths, cloth napkins, or rarely used tea towels. Keep them in covered containers.
When choosing what to place on kitchen cabinets for storage, always make sure the container lid is easy to remove. You do not want to have to move three bins just to get to the one you need.
When Cabinets Don’t Reach the Ceiling: Creative Solutions
What if your cabinets are very short of the ceiling, leaving a large gap? Filling this space requires thoughtful planning to avoid a top-heavy look.
Creating a Faux Bulkhead
You can build a simple structure to bridge the gap. This makes the cabinets look like they were custom-built to the ceiling height.
- Simple Trim Work: Attach simple, flat wood panels between the cabinet tops and the ceiling. Paint them the same color as the cabinets for a seamless look.
- Using Crown Molding Alternatives: If traditional kitchen cabinet crown molding is too complex or expensive for the space, use simple, stepped trim pieces. These add architectural detail without needing a huge gap.
The Role of Lighting
Whether you choose display or storage, adding light to the area above the cabinets draws attention to your choices.
- LED Strip Lights: Install self-adhesive LED strips underneath the top edge of the cabinet. Point them upward. This softly illuminates whatever you have placed above. This enhances kitchen cabinet decor beautifully at night.
- Uplighting Cans: Small, battery-operated spotlights can be placed among your display items to highlight specific pieces.
Choosing the Right Items for Kitchen Cabinet Tops
Not every decorative item works well up high. The items need to have visual weight but not look too cluttered. Here is a guide on selecting the best items for kitchen cabinet tops.
Scale and Proportion
The items must be large enough to be seen from the floor. Tiny trinkets get lost or look like dust bunnies from a distance.
| Item Size Guide | Recommended Use | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Large (12 inches +) | Vases, tall baskets, faux plants | Creates a strong visual anchor. |
| Medium (6-12 inches) | Stacks of plates, matching canisters | Good for creating groups and filling medium gaps. |
| Small (Under 6 inches) | Small bowls, figurines | Use sparingly, usually tucked inside a larger item or basket. |
Material Choices
The materials you pick affect the kitchen’s mood.
- Natural Materials: Wood, wicker, rattan, and terracotta add warmth. They are great for farmhouse or rustic styles.
- Metal Accents: Copper or antique brass pieces catch the light well. They suit traditional or industrial kitchens.
- Glassware: Clear glass looks light. Colored glass adds pops of color without adding visual bulk.
Avoiding Common Mistakes in Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
- Overstuffing: This is the biggest error. A crowded top looks messy, not decorated.
- Using “Junk”: Do not store broken items or things you plan to throw out up there. If you store it, make it look intentional.
- Using Items That Attract Grease: Avoid things with many small crevices (like complex metal sculptures) if they are too close to the stove. Grease buildup is hard to clean from high, intricate surfaces.
Specific Kitchen Styles and Top Decor Ideas
The best ideas for top of kitchen cupboards often depend on your kitchen’s existing style.
Modern and Minimalist Kitchens
These styles demand clean lines and few objects.
- Focus: Smooth surfaces and geometric shapes.
- What to Use: Sleek, monochromatic ceramic vases. Stacked, simple white plates with thin metallic edges. Very structured, linear faux plants (like snake plants). Keep the area mostly clear.
Farmhouse and Rustic Kitchens
Warmth, texture, and a sense of age are key here.
- Focus: Natural textures and vintage appeal.
- What to Use: Large, woven laundry baskets or bread baskets. Old metal milk jugs or watering cans. Wooden crates used for storage solutions above cabinets.
Traditional and Elegant Kitchens
This style benefits from classical touches and richer materials.
- Focus: Symmetry and classic forms.
- What to Use: Matching sets of decorative urns or ginger jars. A row of identical antique-style pitchers. Elegant, subtle kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives can really elevate this look.
Transitional Kitchens
This style blends modern and traditional elements.
- Focus: Balanced simplicity with hints of texture.
- What to Use: A mix of materials. For example, one large metal piece paired with two simple wooden boxes. This provides visual interest without being overly busy.
Practical Aspects of Utilizing Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
Even when aiming for decoration, practicality should guide your choices.
Accessibility Concerns
The items placed highest are the hardest to reach. Only put things up there that you seldom need. If you must store frequently used items, ensure you have a sturdy step stool handy.
Weight Load
Check the structure supporting your upper cabinets. While decorative items are usually light, heavy storage bins full of dishes can add significant weight. Ensure the cabinet frame can handle the load.
Cleaning Strategy
Dust accumulates everywhere. Plan for how you will clean the tops.
- Schedule: Plan to clean the tops twice a year, perhaps during spring cleaning and before the winter holidays.
- Method: Use a long-handled duster or a vacuum cleaner attachment with a soft brush. If you use fabric items (like runners or baskets), shake them out outdoors before wiping the surfaces.
Alternatives to Traditional Cabinet Tops
What if you want the finished look without putting things directly on the cabinet surface?
Integrated Upper Cabinets
The best solution, if remodeling, is installing cabinets that run all the way to the ceiling. This completely eliminates the dust-catching gap. If you want the look of extra storage, use doors on the top sections that match the lower doors. This keeps everything streamlined.
Bulkhead Illusion with Trim
As mentioned before, building a bulkhead is very effective. You can use decorative trim here too, offering an alternative to typical kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives. For example, using chunky, modern trim can suit contemporary kitchens better than ornate crown molding.
Wallpaper or Paint Accent
If the gap is large, consider treating the wall space above the cabinets as an accent area. Paint that section a bold color or use a textured wallpaper. This draws the eye up and gives the area a finished look without needing numerous objects for displaying items above cabinets. This is a low-maintenance way to incorporate kitchen cabinet decor.
Final Thoughts on What to Place on Kitchen Cabinets
Deciding what to put on top of kitchen cupboards balances how much you love to decorate versus how much you hate to clean. If you love a curated look, focus on selecting a few meaningful pieces for kitchen cabinet decor. If storage is your priority, invest in beautiful, uniform containers for effective storage solutions above cabinets. Regardless of your choice, this often-forgotten space offers a fantastic opportunity to elevate your entire kitchen design. By carefully choosing scale, style, and material, you can turn a dusty ledge into a stunning feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it okay to leave the space above kitchen cabinets empty?
A: Yes, it is okay to leave the space empty, especially if you prefer a very minimalist look. However, be prepared for that area to collect dust and grime quickly. An empty space can also make standard-height cabinets look short or unfinished compared to the ceiling.
Q: Can I use real plants on top of kitchen cabinets?
A: Real plants are possible, but challenging. They require light, which is often scarce up there. Furthermore, watering them involves climbing a ladder and risks spilling water down the cabinet fronts. If you choose real plants, opt for very low-maintenance succulents or use drip trays diligently. Faux plants are usually the better choice for decorating above kitchen cabinets.
Q: How can I make my items visible if the ceiling is very high?
A: If you have high ceilings, focus on large-scale items so they read as a clear design choice from the floor. Installing discreet uplighting—such as small, battery-operated puck lights—shining upward onto the display items will make them pop, even from a distance. This maximizes the impact of your displaying items above cabinets.
Q: What is the easiest way to clean the top of the cabinets?
A: The easiest cleaning method involves using a long-handled duster or a vacuum cleaner with a long crevice tool and a soft brush attachment. If you have a lot of items, remove them once or twice a year, wipe the surface thoroughly, and then dust the items before placing them back. If you are utilizing space above kitchen cabinets for storage, ensure your bins are easy to lift down.
Q: Should the items on top of the cabinets match the kitchen hardware?
A: Not necessarily. The items are part of the overall decor, not just extensions of the hardware. They should coordinate with the room’s color palette and style (e.g., wood tones, metal finishes used in lighting or faucets), but they don’t need to match the drawer pulls exactly. Focus on cohesive kitchen cabinet decor overall.