What can you put on top of kitchen cabinets? You can use the space above your kitchen cabinets for stylish decor, practical storage, or even both! This often-forgotten area offers a great chance to boost your kitchen’s look and functionality.
The space above kitchen cabinets, often looming blankly, presents a perfect opportunity. Many homeowners wonder how to best use this area. Should it be left bare? Or should it be filled with things? The answer depends on your kitchen’s height, style, and what you need most: extra storage or visual appeal. This guide will walk you through many excellent ideas for styling above kitchen cabinets and offer smart storage solutions for top of cabinets.
Why Decorating Above Cabinets Matters
Many modern kitchens feature cabinets that do not reach the ceiling. This leaves a gap. This gap can look messy or unfinished. Filling this space ties the whole kitchen design together. It adds height and visual interest. It makes the room feel more complete and polished. This is where kitchen cabinet top decor comes into play.
Assessing Your Space: Height and Style
Before you choose what to put up there, look closely at the space you have.
Cabinet Height vs. Ceiling Height
How much space is there between the cabinet top and the ceiling?
- Small Gap (6–12 inches): This space is perfect for decorative items that add a finishing touch. It’s also where you can use kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives if you want a more built-in look without the cost.
- Large Gap (12 inches or more): This space can handle taller display items for kitchen cabinets or serve as hidden storage. Large gaps need larger items so they don’t look tiny or lost.
Kitchen Style Checklist
Your decor should match your kitchen’s main style.
| Kitchen Style | Recommended Items | Things to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Modern/Minimalist | Simple geometric shapes, sleek metal objects, monochromatic vases. | Cluttered collections, overly ornate items. |
| Farmhouse/Rustic | Baskets, vintage enamelware, faux greenery, wooden signs. | Shiny plastic items, super modern art. |
| Traditional/Classic | Sculptures, fine china displayed in small stacks, formal lamps. | Anything too casual or overly bright. |
| Bohemian/Eclectic | Colorful textiles draped, varied height pottery, travel souvenirs. | Strict symmetry, very plain items. |
Stylish Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
If storage isn’t your main goal, focus on aesthetics. Good decorating above kitchen cabinets elevates the entire room.
Incorporating Height with Visual Interest
Tall items draw the eye upward. This makes the entire kitchen feel taller and grander.
Vases and Tall Pottery
Choose large vases or tall ceramic pieces. Group them in odd numbers (three or five) for a better look. Use muted tones for a calming effect or bold colors as an accent. These work well as simple decorative items for kitchen tops.
Sculptural Elements
Look for interesting shapes. A single, large metal sculpture or a series of complementary pieces can look very sophisticated. This is key when styling above kitchen cabinets in a modern space.
Faux or Dried Greenery
Nothing softens hard cabinetry like plants.
- Faux Potted Plants: Choose high-quality fake plants that look real. Trailing ivy or small succulents work nicely.
- Dried Grasses or Branches: Tall pampas grass or birch branches add texture and vertical lines. These are great kitchen cabinet toppers for texture lovers.
Creating Cohesion with Collections
Displaying related items brings a cohesive feel to the area above your cabinets.
Themed Dinnerware Display
If you have special plates or serving bowls that you rarely use, stack them neatly. Use plate stands to show them off. This works well for holiday sets or antique china. It turns storage into an art display.
Color Repetition
Use the colors found elsewhere in your kitchen. If your backsplash has blue tiles, place blue and white pitchers above the cabinets. This links the upper space with the lower space. This is an easy way to achieve kitchen cabinet finishing touches.
Lighting Solutions for Cabinet Tops
Lighting draws attention to your chosen decor. It also helps illuminate the upper space, making it feel intentional.
- Battery-Operated Puck Lights: These small lights stick under the cabinet overhang, shining light upward onto your decor.
- Slim LED Strip Lights: Install these along the top edge if possible. They cast a gentle, even glow across your display items for kitchen cabinets.
Smart Storage Solutions for Top of Cabinets
Sometimes, a kitchen simply needs more space. The top of the cabinets can be transformed into accessible, albeit less convenient, storage. This is excellent for utilizing unused space above cabinets.
Woven Baskets: The Best of Both Worlds
Baskets are the MVP of overhead storage. They hide clutter while adding texture and warmth.
Choosing the Right Baskets
- Material: Woven materials like wicker, rattan, or seagrass work best. They look intentional, unlike plastic bins.
- Lid or No Lid: Lidded baskets keep dust out better. Open baskets make it easier to grab items, though you need to be careful what goes inside.
- Size: Use large, deep baskets. Small items look messy when spread out in a large area.
What to Store in Baskets Above Cabinets
Use these for items you need occasionally, but not daily.
- Seasonal serving platters.
- Extra tablecloths or placemats.
- Seldom-used small appliances (like a specialized mixer attachment).
- Bulk paper goods (napkins, paper plates).
This strategy fulfills the need for storage solutions for top of cabinets without sacrificing style.
Displaying Everyday Items Beautifully
Some functional items can double as decor if chosen carefully.
Cookbooks
If you have beautiful, hardback cookbooks, stack them artfully. Consider using bookends to keep them upright if they are near the edge. Tall stacks of books act as visual anchors.
Large Glass Canisters
Fill tall glass jars with bulk dry goods like pasta, beans, or even colorful candies (if you want a vibrant look). These are functional storage but also beautiful decorative items for kitchen tops. Ensure the lids are tightly sealed to keep pests out.
When Cabinets Don’t Reach the Ceiling: Building Up
If you have a very large gap, you can create the illusion of a taller, built-in cabinet system. This bridges the gap between standard cabinets and the ceiling.
Custom Trim Work (The Built-In Look)
This involves adding trim or filler panels to close the gap.
- Plywood Filler: Install a panel of painted plywood or MDF to fill the entire gap flush with the cabinet fronts.
- Crown Molding: Add substantial kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives on top of the filler panel. This makes the cabinets look custom-made and grand. This is the ultimate way to create kitchen cabinet finishing touches.
Open Shelving Inserts
In a very wide gap, you might install a short run of open shelving on top of the cabinets. This is often done in professional kitchens or high-end custom remodels. You can display framed art or small serving trays here.
Practical Considerations for Decor Above Cabinets
Choosing items is fun, but practicality matters, especially in a high-use area like the kitchen.
Dust and Accessibility
This is the biggest challenge. Anything placed up high will collect dust easily.
- Dust Traps: Avoid items with many nooks and crannies (like intricate metalwork or heavily textured ceramics). These require frequent, difficult cleaning.
- Easy-to-Wipe Surfaces: Choose smooth glass, metal, or glazed pottery that you can quickly dust with a microfiber cloth or duster.
- Accessibility: If you are storing items, how will you reach them? A sturdy step stool is necessary. If you have to drag out a wobbly chair, you won’t use the stored items often. For high storage, keep items you seldom need.
Weight Limitations
Never overload the tops of your cabinets, especially if they are older or installed with standard hardware.
- Wood Compression: Heavy items can compress the top surface of the cabinet box over time, potentially damaging the finish or the cabinet structure.
- Safe Loads: Distribute weight evenly. A few medium-sized baskets are better than one extremely heavy object. When in doubt, lean toward lighter decor items.
Lighting and Shadow Play
Light interacts differently with items placed high up.
- Backlighting: If you have light sources from nearby windows, the items on top can cast dramatic shadows on the ceiling. Use this to your advantage by choosing items with interesting silhouettes.
- Uplighting Impact: If using uplights, ensure the light bulbs are shielded. You don’t want a harsh glare; you want a soft highlight on your kitchen cabinet top decor.
Design Themes for Utilizing Unused Space Above Cabinets
To make your choices cohesive, select a strong design theme that guides your selection of decorative items for kitchen tops.
Theme 1: The Culinary Showcase
This theme highlights items related to food and cooking, making the display feel relevant to the kitchen setting.
- Items: Copper pots (if they are polished), antique rolling pins, ceramic mixing bowls, or a collection of small, matching pitchers.
- Vibe: Warm, traditional, and functional-looking.
- Tip: Use clear glass canisters filled with colorful dried beans or lentils for a pop of organic color.
Theme 2: Architectural Interest
This theme focuses on height, line, and structure, often suited for modern or transitional kitchens.
- Items: Tall, narrow cylinders; geometric sculptures; stacked, monochromatic boxes; or empty picture frames leaning against the wall.
- Vibe: Clean, structured, and art-focused.
- Tip: This is a great place for kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives like simple wooden blocks or trim pieces to visually extend the cabinet line upward.
Theme 3: Natural Textures and Botanicals
This theme brings the outdoors in, softening the hard lines of the kitchen cabinets.
- Items: Large woven baskets (for storage), dried wheat sheaves, large seashells (if near water), or tall, leafy faux plants.
- Vibe: Earthy, relaxed, and textural.
- Tip: Use baskets of varying sizes but stick to the same material (e.g., all seagrass) for a unified look when utilizing unused space above cabinets.
Theme 4: Personal Mementos and Travel
If you want the space to tell your story, use meaningful objects.
- Items: Small souvenirs from travels, pottery made by local artisans, or framed small pieces of art.
- Vibe: Personal, eclectic, and conversational.
- Tip: Keep the colors somewhat subdued unless your kitchen is very eclectic. Too many bright, random colors can look messy from afar.
Comparing Different Kitchen Cabinet Toppers
Deciding between purely decorative kitchen cabinet toppers and storage-focused options requires weighing effort against necessity.
| Topper Type | Primary Benefit | Aesthetic Impact | Maintenance Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decorative Objects | High visual appeal; completes the design. | High impact; defines the kitchen style. | Medium (dusting required). | High ceilings, style-focused kitchens. |
| Lidded Baskets | Excellent hidden storage; adds texture. | Warm, rustic, or casual feel. | Low (lids keep dust out). | Small kitchens needing extra space. |
| Built-up Molding/Trim | Creates a high-end, custom look. | Very high; seamless integration. | Very Low (acts as a finished surface). | Low ceilings, seeking permanent style fix. |
| Open Shelving | Displays specific items; adds dimension. | Transitional or modern look. | High (items are fully exposed to dust). | Large gaps, homeowners who enjoy displaying collections. |
Finalizing Your Look: Kitchen Cabinet Finishing Touches
Once you have chosen your items or storage method, take a step back. The final step is ensuring everything looks intentional.
Scale and Proportion
This is the most critical element of styling above kitchen cabinets.
- Too Small: Tiny items look like clutter or leftovers. Use large pieces or group many small pieces together so they read as one large element.
- Too Large: If items overwhelm the space or crowd the ceiling, the kitchen feels low and cramped. Ensure there is breathing room around your tallest pieces.
Symmetry vs. Asymmetry
- Symmetry (Mirroring): Placing identical items on both ends of a cabinet run (e.g., two identical lamps) creates a formal, balanced look.
- Asymmetry (Odd Groupings): Grouping three or five items of varying heights (e.g., a tall vase, a medium basket, and a short stack of books) creates a more dynamic and modern feel. This is generally easier to achieve successfully when decorating above kitchen cabinets.
By carefully planning what you place up high, you can successfully transform the empty space above your kitchen cabinets into functional storage or a beautiful design feature. Whether you opt for practical storage solutions for top of cabinets or stylish display items for kitchen cabinets, the effort adds significant polish to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is it hard to clean items placed above kitchen cabinets?
A: Yes, it can be dusty. Items placed high up collect dust easily because they are further from typical cleaning paths. Use a long-handled duster or a feather duster attachment on your vacuum cleaner regularly. Choose smooth items that wipe clean quickly over textured or intricate pieces.
Q: Can I use real plants on top of kitchen cabinets?
A: It is generally not recommended for most people. Real plants require watering, and water or soil spills are difficult to clean from that height. If you must use real plants, choose very low-maintenance, slow-growing varieties like small air plants or hardy succulents, and place them in sturdy, leak-proof saucers. High-quality faux plants are usually a much easier choice for kitchen cabinet top decor.
Q: What should I do if my cabinets are right against the ceiling (no gap)?
A: If your cabinets meet the ceiling, you can still add detail. Focus on kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives or decorative trim that runs just above the cabinet boxes. You can also use cabinet-top decals or paint a contrasting color just on the top edge of the cabinet face frame for a subtle, custom look.
Q: Should all the items on top of my cabinets match?
A: They do not need to match exactly, but they should relate to each other. They should share a common element, such as color palette, material (e.g., all wood tones), or style theme (e.g., all vintage culinary items). This ensures your display items for kitchen cabinets look curated, not accidental.