Can you put things above kitchen cabinets? Yes, you absolutely can put things above kitchen cabinets! This area, often forgotten, is prime real estate for storage, decor, or simply hiding that gap. Many homeowners look up and wonder how to handle the empty space between the top of their cabinets and the ceiling. This gap can look messy, collect dust, or just seem like wasted potential. This guide will show you simple, attractive ways to tackle this space, from practical kitchen cabinet top storage solutions to beautiful ways of decorating above kitchen cabinets. We will explore ideas for every style and budget, helping you maximize your kitchen’s look and function.
Why Filling the Space Above Cabinets Matters
That empty space above your kitchen cabinets isn’t just a dust trap. It affects how your kitchen feels. A large, empty gap can make the room feel unfinished or dated. Properly managing this area adds polish. It can make your ceilings look higher. It offers a chance to show off your style.
Aesthetic Benefits of Filling the Gap
A finished look instantly upgrades your kitchen. Hiding the gap provides clean sight lines. It makes the space feel custom-built. Good use of this area adds character.
Practical Advantages of Utilizing Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
Beyond looks, filling the space offers real benefits. You gain much-needed storage. You can keep rarely used items up high. This clears up valuable counter and drawer space below.
Assessing Your Space: Key Factors to Consider
Before you start buying baskets or trim, look closely at your space. The best solution depends on a few things.
Measuring the Gap
How high is the space between your cabinets and the ceiling?
- Small Gap (Under 12 inches): This area is perfect for decorative items or simple trim. Kitchen cabinet soffit ideas might not apply here.
- Medium Gap (12 to 24 inches): You have room for smart kitchen cabinet top storage or adding risers.
- Large Gap (Over 24 inches): This is a huge opportunity. You can add storage cabinets or use tall decorative pieces.
Cabinet Style Match
Your chosen solution must match your existing cabinets. Are they modern, traditional, or shaker style? A traditional kitchen benefits from crown molding. A modern kitchen might look best with a simple, painted box extension.
Ceiling Height
If your ceilings are very tall (over 9 feet), you need taller items or cabinets to bridge the gap gracefully. If ceilings are standard (8 feet), a simple finish often works best.
Method 1: Building Up with Cabinetry (The Permanent Fix)
The most seamless way to deal with the gap is to close it off entirely with more cabinets. This is the ultimate goal for maximizing storage.
Kitchen Cabinet Height Extension
This involves adding new boxes or sections directly on top of your existing upper cabinets.
Kitchen Cabinet Riser Installation
A riser is a short cabinet box added to the top of the existing cabinet. This raises the visual line of the cabinet to meet the ceiling (or close to it).
- Pros: Great storage, very seamless look.
- Cons: Requires professional help for precise fitting and finishing. Often needs matching paint or wood veneer.
Using Pre-Made Fillers
If you cannot afford full extension cabinets, some companies sell adjustable filler pieces. These fit into the gap and are often painted to match the ceiling or cabinets. This is a good option for filling gap above kitchen cabinets without major construction.
The Role of the Soffit
What if the gap is uneven or contains pipes? A kitchen cabinet soffit ideas approach might be needed. A soffit is a built-out box structure usually placed below the ceiling. Builders often use soffits to hide ducts or pipes running near the ceiling line.
If you have a soffit already, you can build new, shorter cabinets that sit neatly underneath it. If you want to hide an existing soffit, you can build custom boxes that go up to meet the existing soffit, creating a unified look.
Method 2: Adding Architectural Detail (The Polished Look)
If you want to keep the gap but make it look intentional, architectural details are the answer. This is where kitchen cabinet crown molding installation comes into play.
Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding Installation
Crown molding is trim placed at the very top edge of the cabinets. It angles outward to meet the wall or ceiling. This gives a luxurious, finished look.
Choosing the Right Profile
- Traditional Kitchens: Look for ornate, multi-layered crown molding (often called stepped or dentil molding).
- Modern Kitchens: Opt for simple, clean lines, like a single, straight piece of molding (often called a light rail or simple cove molding).
Installation Tips
Crown molding requires precise angled cuts (miter cuts) where the pieces meet at the corners. If you are not experienced, hiring a carpenter ensures a professional finish. If the gap is very wide, you might need a filler strip (a simple flat board) between the cabinet top and the molding to bridge the distance nicely.
Using Simple Trim Boards
For a cleaner, less ornate look than full crown molding, simply attach a flat, thick board (like a 1×4 or 1×6) to the top edge of the cabinets. Paint it the same color as the cabinets. This visually raises the cabinet line without the complexity of detailed molding.
Method 3: Smart Kitchen Cabinet Top Storage
When you have a sizable gap, turning it into functional kitchen storage above cabinets is a smart move, provided you can safely reach the items.
Baskets and Bins Strategy
This is the most popular and accessible method for utilizing space above kitchen cabinets.
Selecting the Right Containers
Containers hide clutter and add texture.
| Material | Best For | Style Match | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woven Wire | Fruits, light packaged goods | Rustic, Industrial | Easy to wipe |
| Seagrass/Wicker | Linens, rarely used serving platters | Farmhouse, Traditional | Dusts easily, needs gentle cleaning |
| Metal Bins | Cookbooks, heavy entertaining ware | Modern, Industrial | Durable, simple aesthetic |
| Solid Plastic Bins (Lidded) | Bulk items, seasonal decor | Practical, Hidden storage | Very easy to clean |
Placement Strategy
Place the heaviest, least-used items in the center back. Put lighter, more decorative items toward the front edge. Always use sturdy, stackable containers if you plan to go more than one layer high.
Storing Seasonal and Specialty Items
The space above cabinets is perfect for items you use only once or twice a year.
- Holiday serving dishes
- Large roasting pans
- Extra table linens
- Infrequently used small appliances (like a bread maker)
Tip: Use clear, well-labeled bins so you know what is inside without pulling everything down.
Method 4: Creative Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
If storage isn’t your main goal, focus on aesthetics. Displaying items above kitchen cabinets can define your kitchen’s personality.
Displaying Collections and Art
Choose items that are large enough to be seen from the floor. Small trinkets get lost.
Oversized Decorative Objects
Think large ceramic crocks, vintage metal signs, or large glass jars filled with dried beans or pasta (if you don’t mind the look of stored food).
Faux Greenery
Artificial plants or trailing ivy can soften the hard lines of the cabinets. Choose high-quality faux plants, as cheap ones look obviously fake when viewed from below. Drape them so they hang slightly over the edge.
Incorporating Lighting
Lighting draws the eye upward, making the whole room feel taller.
- LED Strip Lights: Hide thin LED strips along the top edge of the cabinet, pointing them toward the ceiling. This creates a soft, indirect glow, highlighting the space without showing the light source directly. This is excellent for filling gap above kitchen cabinets with illumination instead of objects.
- Uplighting Fixtures: Small, battery-operated puck lights or small spotlights can be placed inside decorative baskets or behind tall objects to cast shadows and highlights.
Using Color and Paint
If you have a significant gap and don’t want clutter, paint can be your best friend.
- Paint the Gap the Same Color as the Ceiling: This visually blends the space away, making the cabinets appear taller.
- Paint the Gap the Same Color as the Cabinets: This creates a seamless, built-in look, effectively hiding the gap. This works well if you are using kitchen cabinet height extension but can’t afford custom-matched wood panels.
Specific Scenarios and Solutions
Different kitchen layouts require different approaches to utilizing space above kitchen cabinets.
Scenario 1: The Uneven or Sloped Ceiling
If your ceiling is not flat or your cabinets aren’t perfectly level, construction is tricky.
Solution: Use a custom-cut filler piece made of plywood or MDF board. This piece spans the entire top of the cabinets. Once installed and painted to match the ceiling, you can use it as a base for kitchen cabinet crown molding installation or simply place low-profile, uniform bins on top. This visually evens out the space.
Scenario 2: Cabinets That Are Too Low (Standard 8-Foot Ceilings)
If your cabinets stop far short of an 8-foot ceiling, you have an easy fix.
Solution: Kitchen cabinet riser installation is ideal here. Add simple 12-inch risers (boxes). Then, finish the top of these risers with a decorative piece of molding or crown trim. This makes the cabinets look intentional and custom-height.
Scenario 3: Hiding the Gap Completely (No Display Desired)
Sometimes, you just want it gone, dust-free, and simple.
Solution: If you cannot afford full kitchen cabinet height extension, look into getting custom-cut paneling or simple trim pieces that fit snugly from the top of the cabinet to the ceiling. These are often made of thin MDF and painted the exact color of the existing cabinets. This is the fastest way to achieve a “built-in” look without the cost of adding functional cabinets. This is a primary way to address filling gap above kitchen cabinets for a clean appearance.
Maintenance: Keeping the Area Tidy
One major drawback of kitchen storage above cabinets or displaying items above kitchen cabinets is dust accumulation. Because this area is hard to reach, it becomes a magnet for grease and dust.
Dust Control Strategies
- Use Containers with Lids: For storage, always opt for lidded containers. This keeps the dust off the contents.
- Select Non-Porous Decor: Avoid highly detailed statues or porous ceramics that trap dust easily. Smooth glass, metal, or tightly woven baskets are easier to clean.
- The Extension Duster: Invest in a high-quality microfiber duster with an extra-long, adjustable handle. A simple swipe every month can prevent heavy build-up.
- The “Once a Year” Deep Clean: Schedule a time (like right after Thanksgiving) to take everything down, wash the items, and wipe the cabinet tops thoroughly.
Comparison Table: Choosing Your Solution
This table helps quickly compare the main ways to handle the empty space.
| Solution Type | Primary Benefit | Effort Level | Cost Estimate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Risers/Extension | Maximum Storage | High (Pro Recommended) | $$$$ | Modernizing old cabinets |
| Crown Molding | High-End, Finished Look | Medium to High | $$-$$$ | Traditional or transitional kitchens |
| Decorative Baskets/Bins | Accessible Storage/Texture | Low | $$ | Hiding clutter simply |
| Simple Trim/Paint Fill | Clean, Seamless Look | Medium | $ | Hiding the gap with minimal fuss |
| Decorative Display | Personality, Visual Interest | Low to Medium | $-$$ | Showcasing collections |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cabinet Tops
Q: Is it bad for my kitchen if I leave the space above the cabinets empty?
A: It is not structurally bad. However, an empty gap often looks unfinished and collects a significant amount of dust and grease vapor that rises from cooking. Closing the gap, either with decor, molding, or additional storage, generally improves the room’s look and cleanliness.
Q: Should I paint the gap above the cabinets the same color as the walls or the cabinets?
A: This depends on your goal. If you want the cabinets to look taller and seamless, paint the gap the same color as the cabinets. If you want the cabinets to appear distinct and want the ceiling line to feel lower, paint the gap the same color as the ceiling. For a modern, built-in look, matching the cabinet color is usually preferred.
Q: Can I use these spaces for extra food kitchen storage above cabinets?
A: Yes, but use caution. Only store non-perishable, well-sealed items. Heat and fluctuating temperatures near the ceiling can damage food packaging over time. It is best for dry goods in sturdy, airtight containers or for non-food items like linens and serving ware.
Q: What is the difference between a soffit and crown molding?
A: Crown molding is decorative trim that caps the top of a cabinet or wall, usually angled. A soffit is the finished, often boxed-in underside of a structure (like an overhead beam or where HVAC runs) that may jut out over the cabinets. Kitchen cabinet soffit ideas involve working around or building up to an existing soffit.
Q: How do I install kitchen cabinet crown molding installation myself?
A: DIY installation requires careful measuring and a good miter saw. You need to cut inside and outside corners precisely (usually at 45-degree angles). It is advisable to secure the molding both to the cabinet top and the ceiling using finish nails or strong adhesive, depending on the gap size. For large gaps, a filler piece must be installed first.