What to put on top of kitchen cabinets? You can put decorative items, plants, baskets, or even use the space for extra storage. Decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets is a great way to add style and personality to your kitchen, especially if you have a gap between your cabinets and the ceiling. This area offers prime real estate for kitchen cabinet top decor ideas that can elevate your kitchen’s look.
Why Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?
Many kitchens have a space gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. This area often collects dust and looks unfinished. Decorating this space, or styling above kitchen cabinets, serves several important purposes. It helps to visually complete the kitchen design. It also draws the eye upward, making the room feel taller. Furthermore, it offers a chance to showcase personal collections or add warm textures.
Filling the Void: Aesthetic Benefits
The main goal of decorating above kitchen cupboards is to bridge the gap between the cabinets and the ceiling line. An empty space can look awkward. Adding carefully chosen items makes the entire kitchen look more intentional and finished. This is especially true in older homes or kitchens with lower ceilings where standard cabinets don’t reach the top.
Practical Uses for Cabinet Tops
While primarily decorative, this area can also offer practical benefits, such as kitchen cabinet storage above. Baskets or attractive, less-used serving ware can be placed up high. This keeps them out of the way but still accessible if needed. This method is a form of kitchen cabinet display ideas that mixes utility with beauty.
Planning Your Cabinet Top Decor Scheme
Before placing anything up high, take time to plan. Good planning ensures your decorations look cohesive, not cluttered.
Assessing the Space
First, look closely at the space you have. Measure the height and depth of the area above your cabinets.
- Ceiling Height: Very tall ceilings allow for larger, bolder items. Shorter ceilings need smaller, more streamlined decor.
- Cabinet Height: If your cabinets almost touch the ceiling, you need very few items, or just one long piece, like kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives.
- Visual Weight: Consider how heavy the items look. Dark, bulky items draw more attention than light, airy ones.
Choosing a Style Theme
Your decor should match the rest of your kitchen. A farmhouse kitchen looks great with rustic baskets. A modern kitchen suits sleek metal objects or simple greenery.
| Kitchen Style | Recommended Decor Elements |
|---|---|
| Modern | Geometric shapes, monochrome vases, small metallic sculptures. |
| Farmhouse/Rustic | Woven baskets, antique pitchers, wooden signs, faux greenery garlands. |
| Traditional | Blue and white china, classic urns, framed art leaning on the wall. |
| Coastal | Seashell arrangements, glass floats, blue and white ceramics. |
Creative Kitchen Cabinet Top Decor Ideas
Now for the fun part: kitchen cabinet topper ideas that transform the look of your space. Remember, balance is key.
Utilizing Greenery and Florals
Plants bring life and color to any space, even high up. Fresh flowers are usually impractical here due to watering needs. Opt for high-quality artificial plants instead.
Faux Greenery Garlands
Garlands drape beautifully across the tops of cabinets, softening hard edges. Look for garlands that mimic real ivy, eucalyptus, or boxwood. Filling space above kitchen cabinets with a lush garland adds instant texture.
Tall Potted Plants
If the space is very tall, a few large, interesting potted plants work well. Think about plants with trailing vines that can gently cascade down. Ensure they are UV-resistant if your kitchen gets direct, strong sunlight to prevent fading.
Incorporating Baskets and Textiles
Baskets are excellent for filling space above kitchen cabinets because they offer texture and a slightly casual feel.
- Woven Baskets: Use different sizes and shapes. You can store linens or seasonal items inside them for a dual purpose.
- Grouping: Group three baskets of varying heights together. This creates an appealing visual rhythm.
- Textiles: A folded, pretty tea towel or a small piece of vintage fabric draped slightly over the edge can add a soft touch, though be mindful of dust collection.
Displaying Collections and Artwork
This is where you inject personality. What do you love? Displaying items above kitchen cabinets is perfect for pieces you admire but don’t use daily.
Ceramics and China
If you collect antique china, pottery, or colorful ceramic pitchers, the cabinet tops are ideal.
- Color Story: Stick to a specific color palette. For example, use only white, cream, and blue items for a unified look.
- Varying Heights: Use tall vases next to shorter bowls to keep the display dynamic.
Unique Finds and Souvenirs
Did you travel somewhere special? Place meaningful souvenirs up high. Old wooden boxes, unique carved items, or interesting metallic pieces draw the eye without cluttering counter space.
Architectural Accents and Lighting
For a more formal or custom look, consider architectural elements.
Faux Columns or Pedestals
Placing faux columns or simple wooden pedestals on the cabinet tops provides height variation for smaller items. This makes the display look more professional.
Ambient Lighting
Small, battery-operated puck lights or fairy lights placed behind larger items can create a beautiful glow in the evening. This adds depth to the kitchen cabinet display ideas.
Achieving Balance and Scale
The biggest mistake people make when styling above kitchen cabinets is overcrowding the space. Less is usually more when decorating high up.
The Rule of Three (or Odd Numbers)
Items look more pleasing in odd numbers—usually groups of three or five. This rule applies especially when arranging different sizes of objects together.
Negative Space is Your Friend
Ensure there is plenty of empty space around your chosen objects. This “negative space” allows each item to breathe and be appreciated. If everything is crammed together, it looks like storage, not decor.
Scale Matters for Visibility
Since you are viewing these items from below, they must be large enough to be noticed. Small trinkets will get lost. Choose objects with a strong silhouette. If you use plates, lean them against the wall rather than stacking them flat.
Addressing the Gap: Alternatives to Traditional Decorating
Sometimes, the space above the cabinets is too high, too deep, or simply too awkward for standard decor. In these cases, consider structural alternatives that still look decorative. These often function as kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives.
Installing Custom Trim or Molding
The most seamless way to deal with the gap is to close it entirely.
- Standard Crown Molding: If budget allows, hire a carpenter to install crown molding that connects the cabinet tops to the ceiling. This looks built-in and expensive.
- Faux Trim: For a DIY approach, you can buy pre-made trim pieces or decorative wood moulding strips from a home store and attach them directly to the cabinet top edge. This mimics crown molding without needing to fill the entire gap vertically.
Utilizing Integrated Storage Solutions
If you need more space, look at functional yet attractive options for kitchen cabinet storage above.
Shallow Cabinets or Shelves
If the gap is large enough (more than 12 inches), you can install shallow, narrow cabinets or open shelving that aligns with the existing cabinets. These shelves are perfect for infrequently used items or attractive cookbooks.
Tabletop or Bench Installation
In kitchens with exceptionally high ceilings, sometimes people install a narrow, decorative bench or ledge just below the ceiling line, running the length of the cabinets. This ledge acts as a display shelf.
Maintenance and Practicality
Decorating up high comes with a major drawback: dust. What to put on top of kitchen cabinets needs to be easy to clean or resistant to dust.
Dust Management Strategies
- Choose Solid Items: Avoid items with many intricate crevices (like elaborate metalwork or lace). Smooth ceramics or simple wooden boxes gather less dust.
- Easy to Move: Everything placed up high must be light enough to take down easily for cleaning. You will need a sturdy step stool or ladder.
- Avoid Porous Materials: Things like wicker or untreated wood can absorb grease and dust over time, making them impossible to truly clean.
Safety Considerations
When displaying items above kitchen cabinets, always prioritize safety.
- Stability: Ensure tall items are stable. Nothing should be top-heavy where a slight bump from a cleaning cloth could send it falling.
- Accessibility: Use a proper, stable step stool. Never stand on a chair or the lowest cabinet drawer to reach these items.
Deciphering Decor Placement: Visual Tricks
How you position items affects the overall feel of the kitchen. Think about sightlines and flow.
The Importance of Sightlines
When you walk into the kitchen, what do you see first? Your decoration should complement that view. If the display is directly over the stove, use heat-resistant, durable materials. If it’s over the sink, lighter, airier items work well.
Creating Visual Weight Distribution
Distribute the visual weight evenly across the length of the cabinets. If you have a long run of cabinets:
- Symmetrical: Placing one large centerpiece item exactly in the middle, flanked by two smaller, matching items on either side.
- Asymmetrical (Triangular): Placing three items of different heights in a triangle shape, favoring one end slightly. This keeps the eye moving across the length of the cabinets.
Color and Texture Integration
The decor should tie into the existing color scheme.
- If your backsplash is blue and white tile, use blue and white ceramics up top.
- If your hardware is matte black, incorporate a few matte black vases or accents.
This coordination makes the kitchen cabinet top decor look like an intentional part of the overall design, not an afterthought.
FAQ About Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
Q: How high above the cabinets should the decor sit?
A: The decor should sit high enough that it doesn’t visually chop the room in half, but low enough that it is still noticeable from the main part of the kitchen. Usually, placing items so the bottom edge is a few inches below the ceiling line works well. If the space is very large, the items should be tall enough to take up about two-thirds of the available height.
Q: Can I use food items for kitchen cabinet top decor?
A: Yes, if the food is sealed and long-lasting. Decorative glass jars filled with colorful dry pasta, beans, or even faux fruit displays can work. Just remember that real food will attract pests or spoil over time, so artificial items are usually safer and easier for high placements.
Q: What if I have very low ceilings and no gap above my cabinets?
A: If your cabinets run right to the ceiling, you cannot use the space above them. Instead, focus on adding kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives directly to the top edge to give a finished, customized look. You can also focus on decorative hardware or adding open shelving under the cabinets instead.
Q: Are there rules about using mirrors above cabinets?
A: Mirrors can be risky up high. While they reflect light, they can also magnify clutter. If you use mirrors, choose small, framed decorative mirrors or mirrored trays placed flat. Make sure the reflection isn’t distracting or showing messy areas of the kitchen.
Q: Is it okay to mix high-end and budget decor items?
A: Absolutely. The goal is visual appeal, not expense. A mix of thrifted finds, handmade crafts, and one or two high-quality statement pieces creates a curated, personal look.
Final Thoughts on Styling Above Kitchen Cabinets
Decorating the space above your kitchen cabinets is a powerful way to finish your kitchen design. Whether you are filling space above kitchen cabinets with woven textures, showcasing treasured ceramics, or installing decorative trim as kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives, thoughtful placement makes a huge difference. By keeping scale, balance, and easy cleaning in mind, you can transform that dusty, empty area into a beautiful focal point for your kitchen. Explore various kitchen cabinet display ideas until you find a look that feels uniquely yours.