What can you put above kitchen cabinets? You can use the space above kitchen cabinets for decoration, hidden storage, displaying collections, adding extra lighting, or covering the gap with a decorative trim or fascia. This area, often overlooked, presents a great chance to boost your kitchen’s style and function.
The space between the top of your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling can seem like a leftover gap. Some people let it gather dust. Others see it as prime real estate for style or extra storage. Deciding what to do depends on your ceiling height, your kitchen style, and how much cleaning you are willing to do. This guide explores many ways to handle this top border, from purely aesthetic choices to smart storage solutions above cabinets.
Assessing Your Kitchen Cabinet Top Space
Before jumping into decorating above kitchen cabinets, take a good look at the area you have. The height of the gap matters a lot.
Small Gaps (6 Inches or Less)
If the space is small, decoration options are limited. Big items will look awkward. This area is best for subtle touches or closing the gap entirely.
Medium Gaps (6 to 18 Inches)
This is the sweet spot. You have enough height for taller items without making them look lost or too high to see easily. This allows for more creative displaying items above cabinets.
Large Gaps (Over 18 Inches)
Very tall spaces can be tricky. Items can look tiny or insignificant from the floor. Filling this space completely with storage might mean using a step stool often. Lighting often works very well here.
Aesthetic Options: Decorating and Styling
For many homeowners, the main goal is making the kitchen look finished and stylish. This is where kitchen cabinet top decor shines.
Simple and Clean: Closing the Gap
If you dislike clutter or heavy cleaning, closing the gap is a great choice. This creates a seamless, custom look.
Using Crown Molding
Crown molding is a classic way to finish the top of cabinets. It ties the cabinets to the ceiling.
- Traditional Style: Choose detailed, layered molding for a formal look.
- Modern Style: Use simple, straight lines for a clean, updated feel.
- Pro Tip: Match the molding color closely to your cabinet color. This makes the cabinets look taller than they actually are.
Adding a Bulkhead or Faux Soffit
A bulkhead is a boxed-in structure built over the cabinets, making them look like they reach the ceiling. This is a permanent solution. It hides the gap completely and offers a very built-in appearance. This is excellent for utilizing space above cabinets by making the top surface accessible storage, though usually hidden from view.
Displaying Collections: Showcasing Personal Touches
If you have a medium gap, displaying items can add personality. Choose items that are light, durable, and relate to your kitchen theme.
Suitable Decorative Items
Think about height and visual weight when choosing what goes up there.
| Item Type | Best For Gap Size | Style Match | Things to Keep in Mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faux Greenery/Vines | Medium to Large | Farmhouse, Rustic | Requires occasional dusting. |
| Vintage Pottery/Canisters | Medium | Traditional, Cottage | Ensure they are securely placed. |
| Themed Artwork (e.g., Food Prints) | Small to Medium | Eclectic, Modern | Needs to be framed well. |
| Antique Scale or Clock | Medium | Farmhouse, Vintage | These items add character. |
When displaying items above cabinets, aim for an odd number of pieces (three or five). Grouping items in threes often looks best. Ensure items are relatively light. Heavy ceramic pieces can be dangerous if they need to be moved often.
Incorporating Faux Greenery
Faux plants and vines are very popular for styling ideas for kitchen cabinets. They add color and life without the need for maintenance.
- Look for high-quality faux eucalyptus or ferns.
- Let the vines drape slightly over the edge to soften the hard line of the cabinets.
- Use this trick sparingly so it does not look messy.
The Practical Decor Route: Baskets and Containers
Baskets offer a rustic charm while also providing hidden storage. They fit well in farmhouse or coastal kitchen cabinet top decor.
- Use sturdy wicker or woven seagrass baskets.
- These baskets can hold infrequently used items, like holiday linens or seldom-used small appliances.
- They add texture, which is important when filling space above cabinets with solid objects.
Functional Upgrades: Lighting and Hidden Storage
Not everything above the cabinets has to be purely visual. Functionality can improve the kitchen greatly.
Brilliant Ideas for Above Cabinet Lighting
Above cabinet lighting ideas are one of the best uses for this space. Lighting adds ambiance, highlights architectural features, and can make the kitchen feel larger.
LED Strip Lighting
This is the easiest and most popular modern choice.
- Installation: Peel-and-stick LED strips adhere easily to the underside of the cabinet top lip or the bottom of the topmost cabinet box.
- Effect: It casts an indirect, warm glow upward onto the ceiling. This technique, called uplighting, makes the ceiling appear higher.
- Control: Use dimmers for maximum effect. Soft light in the evening creates a lovely atmosphere.
Puck Lights
If you need more focused spots of light, small, battery-operated or plug-in puck lights can be placed strategically. These are good if you are displaying specific decorative pieces you want to illuminate, such as a piece of art or a unique vase.
Rope Lighting
Older rope lights can also be used. They give a warmer, slightly more diffused light than modern strips, suitable for very traditional kitchens.
Hidden Storage Solutions Above Cabinets
While this area is not ideal for everyday items, it is perfect for storing things you need once or twice a year. This is prime storage solutions above cabinets territory, provided you can safely reach them.
Utilizing Space Above Cabinets for Seasonal Items
Think about items that clutter your main storage areas:
- Extra serving platters used only at holidays.
- Specialty baking pans (e.g., bundt pans, cookie cutters for specific seasons).
- Seldom-used small appliances like a specialized juicer or ice cream maker.
Important Note on Access: If the gap is large, you must have a stable step stool or small ladder handy. Never stack items too high if you cannot easily and safely reach the top shelf without balancing precariously.
Using Modular Bins for Organization
If you opt for storage, contain it! Use uniform, attractive bins or boxes.
- Label Everything: Since you cannot easily see what is inside, clear or well-labeled bins are essential.
- Material Choice: Plastic bins are easy to clean, but attractive lidded cardboard or fabric boxes look nicer if they are visible.
If you plan on utilizing space above cabinets for heavy storage, ensure the cabinet structure itself is solid enough to handle the weight over time, especially if you are using the top surface directly.
Addressing Maintenance: Dust and Cleaning
One major drawback to decorating above kitchen cabinets is the dust collection. Airborne grease and dust settle heavily in this hard-to-reach spot.
Preventing Dust Buildup
The best defense is a good offense. If you are renovating or installing new cabinets, closing the gap with molding or a bulkhead eliminates the problem entirely. This avoids the need for cleaning above kitchen cabinets regularly.
Strategies for Cleaning the Area
If you choose to display items, cleaning becomes mandatory, perhaps twice a year.
- Gather Supplies: You need a good vacuum with a brush attachment, a damp microfiber cloth, and an extension duster.
- Tackle the Dust on Items First: Carefully remove each decorative item. Vacuum it gently outside or over a sink. Wash any non-porous items (like ceramic) in the sink.
- Dust the Cabinet Top: Use the vacuum brush attachment to suck up loose dust from the cabinet top surface.
- Wipe Down: Use a slightly damp cloth (not soaking wet) to wipe down the cabinet tops and any nearby molding. If grease is an issue (common in kitchens), use a mild degreasing cleaner on the cloth.
- Re-Stage: Put your clean items back, remembering the principles of good styling ideas for kitchen cabinets.
The Dust Cover Solution
For those who choose storage solutions above cabinets but hate dust, consider using a kitchen cabinet dust cover. This isn’t a standard product, but you can custom-make one.
- Measure the exact dimensions of the top of your cabinets.
- Sew or purchase a simple fabric cover (matching your kitchen textile scheme) that slides over the top surface, protecting both the surface and the items placed there.
- This works best if the gap is large enough to accommodate the cover without squishing your items.
Styling Tips for Different Kitchen Types
The best approach depends heavily on your existing kitchen design.
Traditional Kitchens
Traditional styles look wonderful with detailed molding and curated displays.
- Focus: Warm colors, classic materials.
- Ideas: Display antique copper pots, transferware plates leaned against the wall, or rich wooden canisters. Use warm white above cabinet lighting ideas to enhance the cozy feel.
Modern/Minimalist Kitchens
Modern spaces demand clean lines. Clutter is the enemy here.
- Focus: Simplicity, geometric shapes.
- Ideas: If you must decorate, use tall, monochromatic vases or geometric sculptures. Alternatively, close the gap completely with sleek, flat trim. Utilizing space above cabinets for storage should be invisible—use matching, perfectly sized, opaque white boxes if visible storage is necessary.
Farmhouse/Rustic Kitchens
These styles embrace texture and slightly imperfect charm.
- Focus: Natural textures, vintage finds.
- Ideas: Woven baskets are perfect. Display old wooden crates or metal signs that fit the theme. Faux hops or wheat sheaves work well as greenery.
Transitional Kitchens
This style blends old and new. Keep the decorations balanced.
- Focus: Mixing materials, soft colors.
- Ideas: Pair a modern, matte black vase with a few pieces of aged wooden kitchen tools. Keep the display relatively sparse to avoid leaning too far into one style.
Deciphering the Best Fit for Your Home
When deciding between decoration, storage, or closing the gap, ask yourself these key questions.
How often do I clean?
If cleaning is a chore you often skip, avoid open displays. Go for closed storage, molding, or bulkhead to seal the space from dust. This minimizes the work involved in cleaning above kitchen cabinets.
How high are my ceilings?
Very high ceilings benefit from elements that draw the eye upward, like strong vertical crown molding or uplighting. Low ceilings usually look better sealed off to avoid feeling cramped by clutter overhead.
What is my budget?
- Low Budget: Use existing items for display, or seal the gap with simple, inexpensive trim boards painted to match the cabinets.
- Higher Budget: Invest in custom crown molding or hire an electrician to install permanent above cabinet lighting ideas.
Table: Action Plan Based on Goal
| Primary Goal | Recommended Action | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics/Finished Look | Install Crown Molding or Bulkhead | Permanent change; seals out dust effectively. |
| Ambiance/Mood Lighting | Install LED Strip Uplighting | Adds depth and makes the room feel larger. |
| Personality/Theme | Strategic Displaying Items Above Cabinets | Requires regular dusting of objects and surfaces. |
| Decluttering | Closed Baskets for Seasonal Storage | Ensure items are light and accessible via a stool. |
Addressing Common Concerns in Utilizing Space Above Cabinets
People often hesitate due to specific perceived problems. Let’s address those head-on.
Concern 1: Safety of Display Items
Can I place heavy glass items up there?
While possible, it is not recommended. If items are heavy, they are hard to lift down safely. If they fall, they pose a significant risk. Stick to lighter materials like metal, wicker, or lightweight faux plants when displaying items above cabinets.
Concern 2: Visible Wires from Lighting
How do I hide wires for lighting?
If you are installing plug-in lights, route the wire down the back corner of the cabinet run, hidden against the wall. If the gap is significant, the wire can run along the very top edge of the cabinet, hidden from below by the cabinet door’s overhang, before tucking into a nearby outlet. For a seamless look, hire an electrician to wire lights directly into the cabinet structure. This is the best approach for professional-looking above cabinet lighting ideas.
Concern 3: Making the Kitchen Look Dated
Using too many dusty knick-knacks can instantly date a kitchen. To avoid this when decorating above kitchen cabinets:
- Keep the color palette simple (two or three main colors maximum).
- Ensure all items share a similar finish or texture (e.g., all white ceramic, or all natural wood/wicker).
- Less is more. Overcrowding the space defeats the purpose of good styling ideas for kitchen cabinets.
Finalizing Your Space Above Cabinets
Deciding what to do with the area above kitchen cabinets requires balancing effort against reward. Do you want a low-maintenance, polished look? Then invest in quality molding or a bulkhead to seal the space. Are you a decorator who loves finding unique items? Then use the space for curated displays, but commit to the necessary upkeep like routine cleaning above kitchen cabinets.
Whether you choose sleek hidden storage solutions above cabinets or beautiful kitchen cabinet top decor, transforming this often-neglected zone adds character and completes the architectural look of your kitchen design. By thoughtfully selecting your decor, lighting, or storage, you maximize every inch of your kitchen space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it okay for kitchen cabinets not to reach the ceiling?
A: Yes, it is very common, especially in older homes or with standard-height stock cabinetry. The gap often exists because ceilings are not perfectly level or to allow for space to work during installation. You must decide whether to visually close the gap or utilize the space above.
Q: What materials should I avoid putting above cabinets?
A: Avoid anything flammable, anything that sheds heavily (like loose straw), or very heavy breakable glass. Also, avoid storing things you need daily, as they become impractical to access.
Q: How often should I clean the top of my cabinets if I have items displayed?
A: If the kitchen is heavily used (cooking daily), aim to dust the area every 3 to 4 months. If you have above cabinet lighting ideas that illuminate the area well, dust will be more obvious, requiring more frequent attention.
Q: Can I use the space above cabinets for bulk storage of food?
A: It is generally advised against storing bulk food items like flour or sugar up there. Temperature fluctuations can affect food quality, and pests might find their way into loosely sealed containers. Stick to non-perishable, hard goods like extra linens or infrequently used platters. This is a better spot for utilizing space above cabinets for household supplies rather than consumables.