What should you put on top of kitchen cupboards? You can put many things on top of kitchen cupboards! This space is great for kitchen cabinet decor, showing off special items, adding extra storage, or using decorative fillers to finish the look.
The space above your kitchen cabinets often sits empty. It’s a high spot. Many people wonder how to fill this area. It can look messy if left plain. It can also look great if you decorate it well. This guide will give you many simple, stylish ideas for utilizing space above cabinets. We will look at how to make this area work for your home. Good styling here adds charm and helps define your kitchen style.
Why Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?
The area just below the ceiling and above your upper cabinets is valuable real estate. Ignoring it can make a room feel unfinished. Think of it as a blank canvas waiting for your touch.
Enhancing Kitchen Aesthetics
Good decoration here instantly lifts the look of your kitchen. It helps tie the cabinets to the ceiling. This makes the room feel more complete and taller. Proper kitchen cabinet decor draws the eye upward, which can make smaller kitchens feel more spacious. Choosing the right items makes a big difference in the overall feel.
Practical Reasons for Decorating the Top
It is not just about looks. There are practical reasons too. This area offers opportunities for kitchen storage solutions above cabinets. If you have a busy home, extra storage is always welcome. Even if you just display items, choosing things carefully can keep dust down and make cleaning easier.
Avoiding the “Dust Trap” Look
When the space is bare, it can look like a large, dusty ledge. Items placed there break up the visual line. They offer surfaces for small collections. When styling, think about what is easy to reach or clean.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing Items
Before you start piling things up, take a moment to look at your kitchen. A few key factors affect what will look best.
Cabinet Height and Ceiling Space
First, check how much space you have. Do you have very high ceilings? If so, you have lots of room. You can use taller items. Do you have low ceilings? Then use smaller, more compact pieces. If the gap is very small (just a few inches), your options are limited to flatter items or using decorative fillers for open space above cabinets.
Kitchen Style and Theme
Your decor must match your kitchen’s style. A rustic farmhouse kitchen needs different items than a sleek, modern kitchen.
| Kitchen Style | Recommended Item Types | Things to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Farmhouse/Rustic | Vintage baskets, enamelware, wooden signs. | Shiny chrome, very abstract art. |
| Modern/Minimalist | Sculptural vases, monochromatic ceramics, clean lines. | Cluttered collections, bright, busy patterns. |
| Traditional/Classic | Pewter pitchers, antique books, framed artwork. | Plastic items, overly casual containers. |
Accessibility and Safety
Remember, these items will be high up. You will likely need a step stool or ladder to place or move them. Choose items that are not fragile or lightweight enough to fall easily due to vibrations (like from heavy door closing). Heavy, stable pieces are usually better for displaying items on kitchen cupboards.
The Best Items for Kitchen Cabinet Tops
What works well when decorating the top of kitchen cabinets? The best items draw the eye without overwhelming the space. Here are some top choices for best items for kitchen cabinet tops.
1. Decorative Baskets and Bins
Baskets are fantastic for utilizing space above cabinets. They offer texture and hide potential mess.
- Woven Baskets: These add warmth, especially in country or coastal kitchens. Use them to hold things you rarely need, like seasonal linens or extra paper towels.
- Metal Bins: For industrial or modern looks, use wire baskets or galvanized metal bins. These look intentional, not like forgotten storage.
- Lidded Bins: If you are using this space for true kitchen storage solutions above cabinets, make sure the bins have lids. This keeps dust out and maintains a tidy appearance.
2. Faux or Real Greenery
Plants bring life to any space. Since light might be limited up high, faux plants are often the best choice.
- Faux Trailing Plants: Ivy or ferns that cascade down slightly look lush and soft. This softens the hard lines of the cabinets.
- Potted Herbs (Faux): If your kitchen leans toward a culinary theme, small faux herb pots (like rosemary or basil) look charming.
- Tall Dried Grasses: Pampas grass or tall wheat stalks in a tall floor vase placed on top of the cabinets can create dramatic vertical interest, especially good for tall ceilings.
3. Ceramic and Pottery Collections
Ceramics offer great color and texture. They are a wonderful way to implement kitchen cupboard display ideas.
- Vases: Vary the height and color. Grouping three odd-numbered vases (like one tall, one medium, one small) is visually pleasing.
- Platters and Plates: Lean large, beautiful decorative plates against the wall. Choose pieces that reflect your kitchen’s color palette.
- Cookware as Decor: Display beautiful, vintage copper pots or enamelware kettles. These are sturdy and fit well in many décor styles.
4. Books and Cookbooks
Books add a touch of intellectual charm and personality.
- Themed Stacks: Stack a few attractive, hardback cookbooks neatly. Keep the stack small—maybe just three or four books.
- Color Coordination: If you have many mismatched books, consider wrapping the spines in plain paper (like kraft paper) or wrapping them in fabric that matches your kitchen colors. This keeps the look cohesive when styling kitchen cabinets.
5. Artwork and Mirrors
For grander statements, use framed pieces.
- Small Framed Prints: Lean small pieces of art against the wall. These can feature food motifs, abstract designs, or landscape scenes.
- Small Decorative Mirrors: A small, antique-looking mirror can catch light and make the space feel brighter. Be careful that it doesn’t reflect clutter elsewhere.
6. Seasonal and Holiday Decor
The top of the cabinets is perfect for rotating seasonal items.
- Fall: Use small gourds, faux wheat sheaves, or warm-toned candles (unlit, for safety).
- Winter: Drape simple evergreen garlands along the top edge. Use decorative ornaments in a large glass jar.
- Spring/Summer: Bring in lighter colors, perhaps shells if you have a coastal theme.
Styling Techniques for Maximum Impact
It is not just what you put up there, but how you arrange it. Good arrangement turns items into decor. This is key to effective styling kitchen cabinets.
The Rule of Odds and Grouping
People find groups of three or five items more appealing than groups of two or four. Group items together. For example, instead of one large vase, try three medium-sized pitchers of varying heights. This creates visual movement.
Varying Heights and Textures
Avoid placing items all at the same level. Use taller items (like a lamp or tall vase) on one end and shorter items (like a stack of bowls) on the other. Mix textures: pair smooth ceramics with rough wicker baskets or matte wood. This keeps the display interesting when displaying items on kitchen cupboards.
Working with Negative Space
Do not fill every inch. Negative space (empty space) is important. It gives the eye a place to rest. If you have very long cabinets, it might look better to have one large vignette on one side and a single tall item on the other, leaving the middle section empty. This maximizes the effect of your kitchen cupboard display ideas.
Lighting Considerations
If you have very high ceilings, consider adding some subtle lighting aimed upward. Battery-operated LED puck lights or stick-on strip lights can illuminate your display beautifully at night, highlighting your kitchen cabinet decor. Ensure the lights are easy to reach if you need to change batteries.
Solutions for Small Gaps: Utilizing Space Above Cabinets
What if your cabinets go almost to the ceiling, leaving only 4 to 8 inches of space? This narrow gap requires specialized styling for maximizing space above kitchen cabinets.
1. Decorative Trim or Molding
If you have a very small gap, sometimes the best solution is to blend the cabinets into the ceiling. Adding crown molding that bridges the gap is a professional look. This turns the area into intentional architecture rather than unused space. This is a core method of finishing when styling kitchen cabinets professionally.
2. Art Leaners and Flat Objects
When space is minimal, use flat objects that lean against the wall.
- Thin wooden cutting boards.
- Small, framed, colorful tiles.
- Thin landscape paintings or prints.
These lay almost flat, requiring very little depth, making them perfect for utilizing space above cabinets in tight spots.
3. Creating a Faux Cabinet Look
Some people use custom-sized fascia boards or filler strips that match the cabinet color to cover the gap completely. This creates a built-in appearance. If you want the space visible but tidy, use simple, thin, attractive containers that fit snugly underneath.
4. The Role of Decorative Fillers
For those small, awkward spaces, sometimes the goal is just to conceal the drywall or ceiling edge cleanly. Decorative fillers for open space above cabinets can be simple strips of wood painted the same color as the cabinet or ceiling. Or, you can use thin greenery that trails down just slightly to break the hard line.
Kitchen Storage Solutions Above Cabinets: When Function Trumps Form
While decoration is fun, sometimes you need functional storage up high. This requires careful selection to maintain visual appeal. This addresses kitchen storage solutions above cabinets.
Storing Seasonal Items
This high area is perfect for things you only need a few months a year.
- Holiday dishes or platters.
- Extra tablecloths or specialty linens.
- Infrequently used small appliances (like an ice cream maker).
The key here is consistent, attractive containers. Use matching bins—opaque, sturdy ones—to hide everything.
Utilizing Height for Overflow
If you frequently entertain or bake, you might have extra stacks of serving ware.
- Matching Serving Trays: Stack 3 or 4 large, identical white or clear serving trays.
- Extra Dinnerware: Use very sturdy, matching dinner plates, stacked neatly. Place a heavy, attractive object on top to keep the stack grounded.
This strategy allows for significant kitchen storage solutions above cabinets without looking like a junk drawer exploded upward.
The Importance of Sturdiness
When using this space for storage, sturdiness is vital. Cabinets can bow slightly over time. Never store very heavy items, especially glass or liquids, where they could cause structural issues or fall unexpectedly. Focus on lighter but bulky items like linens or lightweight kitchen tools stored in bins.
Achieving a Professional Look: Ideas for Styling Kitchen Cabinets
How do you move from a haphazard collection of items to true kitchen cabinet decor? It comes down to planning and editing.
H5: Curating a Specific Collection
Instead of putting random things up there, choose one theme and stick to it.
- The Blue and White Kitchen: Only display blue and white ceramics, pottery, or framed prints featuring blue accents.
- The Copper Kitchen: Feature only copper pots, kettles, and perhaps some rustic wooden items.
- The Greenery Focus: Use only baskets filled with high-quality faux greenery.
This focus makes the display look intentional and curated, which is the hallmark of excellent styling kitchen cabinets.
H5: The Art of Layering
Layering adds depth. Place the tallest items toward the back, against the wall. Place medium-sized items in front of them. Place the smallest items or trailing greenery in the front. This layering technique works well for displaying items on kitchen cupboards.
- Back Layer: Tall vase or cutting boards leaning up.
- Middle Layer: Groupings of medium-height ceramic pieces.
- Front Layer: Small items, trailing ivy, or a single interesting object like a mortar and pestle.
H5: Using Color Strategically
Color should relate to the rest of the kitchen. If your backsplash is yellow and gray, try to incorporate those colors into the items decorating the top of kitchen cabinets. Too many disparate colors fight for attention. Keep the palette tight. Use neutrals (white, cream, wood tones) as your base, and introduce your accent color sparingly through one or two key pieces.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even with good intentions, people often make mistakes when decorating above cabinets. Avoiding these ensures your efforts contribute positively to your kitchen cabinet decor.
Pitfall 1: Over-Cluttering
This is the number one mistake. More is not always better. Too many items turn this area into a visual mess, which defeats the purpose of decoration. Remember, this space is viewed from below; simplicity reads better from a distance. Edit ruthlessly when maximizing space above kitchen cabinets.
Pitfall 2: Using Cheap-Looking Plastic Items
If you must use faux plants or plastic containers, invest in high-quality versions. Flimsy plastic catches dust and looks inexpensive, dragging down the entire kitchen’s look. This is especially true when displaying items on kitchen cupboards that are meant to look like vintage finds.
Pitfall 3: Ignoring Dust
Items placed high up are magnets for dust and grease that floats up from cooking. If you choose items that are hard to clean (like intricate sculptures or open-weave baskets), you will soon regret it. Choose smooth surfaces or enclosed containers when planning kitchen storage solutions above cabinets.
Pitfall 4: Using Items That Don’t Fit the Scale
Putting tiny knick-knacks up high makes them invisible or makes the space look sparse. Conversely, putting massive, bulky items in a small gap makes the kitchen feel closed in. Always match the scale of the object to the scale of the gap. Decorative fillers for open space above cabinets must be proportionate.
Specific Styling Scenarios
Different kitchen layouts require different approaches to decorating the top of kitchen cabinets.
H4: Above Short Cabinets (Minimal Gap)
If you only have 6-10 inches, you must think flat and horizontal.
- Long, Thin Items: Use long, decorative cutting boards placed vertically.
- Low, Wide Containers: Use shallow wooden dough bowls or wide, low platters.
- Continuous Garland: A simple, thin faux ivy or boxwood garland laid across the entire span creates a unified, continuous line. This is a fantastic, low-effort solution for utilizing space above cabinets.
H4: Above Cabinets With Open Shelving Nearby
If you have open shelving elsewhere in the kitchen, use the top of the cabinets to reinforce the collection displayed there. If your shelves feature all white ceramics, use white ceramics up top as well. This repetition creates harmony when styling kitchen cabinets. Use the cabinet tops for bulkier, less frequently needed items from that collection.
H4: Cabinets That Don’t Meet the Ceiling (The Classic Gap)
For the typical 1-2 foot gap, the goal is to visually bridge the gap without drawing too much attention to the empty air.
- The “Built-In” Look: Use crown molding or custom trim to visually extend the cabinets upward. If this is too costly, use tall, slender items (like large glass jars filled with dried pasta or beans) to mimic the height of molding.
- The Vignette Approach: Create one strong focal point rather than spreading items thinly across the whole length. Place your tallest, most interesting piece in the center or slightly off-center. This works well for kitchen cupboard display ideas.
Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for High Decor
Decorating high means dealing with harder cleaning. Here are tips for keeping your kitchen cabinet decor fresh.
Regular Dusting Schedule
Aim to dust the items up top at least once a month. If you cook frequently with grease or high heat, you might need to do it every two weeks.
- Tool Tip: Use an extendable microfiber duster. These trap dust instead of just knocking it into the air.
- For Baskets: Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to gently pull dust out of wicker or woven surfaces.
Rotating Items
To prevent things from looking stale (or excessively dusty), rotate your display seasonally. When you bring down your holiday baskets, replace them with summer faux florals. This gives you a chance to give everything a thorough wipe-down before it goes back up. This simple rotation keeps displaying items on kitchen cupboards feeling fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use real food items on top of kitchen cabinets?
It is generally not recommended to use real food items like bags of flour or loose dried beans, as they attract pests over time and are very difficult to keep sealed and clean when stored in open areas high up. If you display food, use attractive, sealed glass jars or containers specifically designed for long-term storage. This keeps pests out and maintains the clean look necessary for good kitchen cabinet decor.
Should the items on top of the cabinets match the cabinets exactly?
No, they do not have to match exactly, but they should complement the cabinets. If you have white cabinets, using cream, light gray, or wood accents creates a soft contrast. If you have dark wood cabinets, brass, copper, or pale ceramics provide a nice lift. The goal is harmony, not perfect matching, when styling kitchen cabinets.
What if I have very dark kitchen cabinets and a low ceiling?
Dark cabinets absorb light. If the ceiling is also low, putting dark objects up top will make the kitchen feel heavy and closed in. Focus on light-colored items: white ceramics, clear glass, light wicker, or silver/chrome accents. This contrast helps lift the eye and makes the space feel airier, which is crucial for utilizing space above cabinets in darker rooms.
Are electronic devices appropriate for displaying items on kitchen cupboards?
Generally, no. Unless it is a very retro or stylishly designed object (like an antique radio), modern electronics look temporary and out of place in traditional kitchen cabinet decor. Furthermore, heat generated by electronics is bad for storage and the lifespan of the device itself.
How can I make decorative fillers for open space above cabinets look intentional?
The best way is to use materials that match your existing trim or crown molding. If that is not possible, use greenery that hangs down slightly (1-2 inches) to soften the hard line between the cabinet and the ceiling. A single, continuous element, like a vine or a string of lights, looks more planned than scattered small items in a tight space.