Can you put things above kitchen cabinets? Yes, you absolutely can put items above your kitchen cabinets. This often overlooked area is prime real estate for both storage and decoration. Many homeowners look for ways to fill that gap between the cabinet tops and the ceiling or soffit. This space, sometimes called the kitchen cabinet soffit, can look empty or cluttered, depending on what you choose to place there. Finding the right kitchen cabinet toppers or decorative items for kitchen soffit can greatly improve your kitchen’s look. This guide will explore five great ways to maximize this space, turning empty air into an asset. We will look at practical storage solutions and stylish kitchen cabinet top decor options.
Why Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets Matters
The area above your cabinets is a visual break point in the kitchen. If it is left bare, it can make the room feel unfinished. If it is too cluttered, it can feel messy. Properly filling this space helps tie the entire kitchen design together. It draws the eye upward, which can make the kitchen feel taller and larger. Choosing the right items to put on top of kitchen cabinets is about balance. You want function, style, or both.
Common Challenges with the Space Above Cabinets
The main issues people face when decorating above kitchen cabinets include:
- Dust and Grease: This area collects dust and cooking grease easily.
- Height Issues: Cabinets that don’t reach the ceiling leave an awkward gap.
- Visual Clutter: Too many small items look messy.
Solving these challenges starts with choosing the right strategy. We look at five proven methods for utilizing space above kitchen cabinets.
5 Great Ideas for What To Put Above Kitchen Cabinets
Here are five effective and stylish ways to manage the space above your kitchen cabinets, ranging from simple fixes to decorative displays.
1. Extend Cabinets to the Ceiling for a Built-In Look
The cleanest solution for filling space above kitchen cabinets is to eliminate the gap entirely. This involves installing cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling or adding tall trim pieces.
Using Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding
One key technique here is using kitchen cabinet crown molding. Crown molding is trim that sits on top of the cabinet box. It slopes outward where it meets the ceiling.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Crown molding provides a finished, high-end look. It makes the cabinets look custom-made.
- Hiding Gaps: If your ceiling is slightly uneven, molding covers small inconsistencies neatly.
- Types of Molding: You can choose simple flat profiles or elaborate, layered styles. The style should match your cabinet fronts.
If you cannot afford new cabinets, you can sometimes add simple kitchen cabinet trim ideas to bridge the gap visually, making the existing cabinets look taller.
When to Choose Cabinet Extension Panels
If the gap is small (a few inches), cabinet makers can add filler panels. These panels match the cabinet door color and style. They seamlessly bridge the gap. This is better than leaving a small, dusty ledge. This method achieves the polished look of custom cabinetry without replacing everything.
2. Showcase Decorative Collections
If you have a significant gap (one to three feet), using the space for curated decor is a fantastic option for display ideas for above kitchen cabinets. This is where kitchen cabinet top decor shines. The key is curation, not collection.
Selecting Appropriate Items
Choose items that are large enough to be seen from the floor but light enough to handle if needed. Avoid anything overly fragile or difficult to clean.
- Large Baskets: Woven baskets add texture and a farmhouse or rustic feel. They hide clutter well if you use them for storing seldom-used items like holiday linens.
- Oversized Vases or Pottery: Tall, striking pieces draw the eye up beautifully. Choose pieces in colors that complement your backsplash or countertops.
- Faux Greenery: High-quality faux plants or garlands can add life without the maintenance issues of real plants (which struggle with kitchen heat and low light). Ensure they look realistic.
| Decorative Item Type | Pros | Cons | Style Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Baskets | Adds texture, hides some storage | Can look bulky if too many are used | Farmhouse, Coastal, Rustic |
| Oversized Pottery | Elegant, classic look, easy to dust | Can be heavy, requires careful placement | Traditional, Transitional |
| Framed Art (Leaned) | Adds color and personality | Must be secured against vibration | Eclectic, Modern |
| Faux Greenery | Adds color, no maintenance | Quality must be high to look good | Mediterranean, Cottage |
Display ideas for above kitchen cabinets should follow the “rule of odd numbers” for visual appeal. Group items in threes or fives.
3. Integrate Open Shelving for Practical Storage
For kitchens needing extra storage, utilizing space above kitchen cabinets by adding open shelving is a practical choice. This works best if the cabinets are not excessively high, perhaps leaving two feet of space.
How to Install Shelves Above Cabinets
This requires securely mounting wood or metal shelving into the wall studs above the cabinet line. Ensure the shelves are level with the cabinet tops or slightly above them.
- Functional Storage: Use these shelves for items to put on top of kitchen cabinets that you use occasionally. Think extra serving platters, rarely used small appliances (like a bread maker), or backup paper goods.
- Displaying Glassware: Attractive cookbooks or fine glassware can be displayed here. Because they are above eye level, they don’t compete with daily clutter.
- Lighting Integration: Consider running small LED strip lights underneath the new shelves. This highlights the decor or functional items and adds soft ambient lighting to the kitchen.
This approach turns the area into an extension of your pantry or china cabinet. It keeps the floor clear while providing easy access to less-frequently needed items.
4. Install Task or Accent Lighting
The void above cabinets is an excellent place to install lighting that enhances the kitchen’s ambiance. This is a sophisticated approach to decorating above kitchen cabinets.
Undercabinet vs. Over-Cabinet Lighting
While under-cabinet lighting is standard, over-cabinet lighting adds drama.
- Uplighting: Small puck lights or LED strips installed on top of the cabinets shine upward onto the ceiling. This washes the ceiling in soft light. It draws the eye up and makes the entire kitchen feel brighter and taller.
- Cabinet Top Fixtures: If you have a very high ceiling, you might consider placing small, attractive canister lights on the cabinet tops, aimed upward. These should be durable and low-heat.
This lighting strategy is highly effective in filling space above kitchen cabinets without adding physical objects that collect dust. The light itself becomes the decor. It helps showcase any decorative items you might have placed up there, too.
5. Create a Soffit or Bulkhead Effect
If the gap is large, or if there is existing ductwork or plumbing creating an irregular soffit, sometimes the best solution is to make the irregular space look intentional. This is where specialized kitchen cabinet trim ideas and paneling come into play.
Enclosing the Space
If you have a few feet of space and don’t want open shelving, you can build a simple framed box or bulkhead structure on top of the cabinets.
- Matching Finish: The sides of this structure should be finished to match your existing cabinets or painted the same color as the walls/ceiling.
- Creating a New Top Surface: This creates a flat, easily cleanable surface that acts as a large, continuous shelf. This new surface is perfect for displaying fewer, larger, cohesive items. You are essentially creating a custom kitchen cabinet topper system.
- Hiding Utilities: This method is perfect if the space needs to conceal vents or pipes that run along the top of the existing cabinet boxes.
This transforms an awkward utility space into a deliberate design feature. It is a very clean way to deal with non-standard ceiling heights.
Practical Considerations for Top Cabinet Decor
No matter which option you choose for items to put on top of kitchen cabinets, practical maintenance is essential.
Addressing Dust and Grease Buildup
The primary enemy of kitchen cabinet top decor is airborne grease and dust.
- Easy-to-Clean Surfaces: If you opt for display items, choose materials that wipe down easily (glass, glazed ceramics, metal). Avoid porous items like terracotta or heavily textured fabrics.
- Strategic Placement: Items placed directly against the ceiling are less prone to grease than items on the cabinet top itself. Uplighting helps mitigate the appearance of dust.
- Less is More: The fewer items you have, the less you have to clean. A few large, simple objects are easier to maintain than dozens of small trinkets.
Safety and Accessibility
Remember that decorating above kitchen cabinets puts objects far from reach.
- Stability: Ensure all items are completely stable. Use museum putty or adhesive strips if necessary, especially if you live in an earthquake-prone area or have large children who might bump the cabinets.
- Weight Limits: Do not overload the cabinet boxes with extremely heavy items, particularly if they are older or lightly constructed. Large ceramic pieces are fine, but avoid stacks of solid metal tools.
Matching Kitchen Style
The items you select must complement your overall kitchen design.
- Modern Kitchens: Favor clean lines, metallic finishes, or minimalist white/black pottery. Avoid fussy lace or overly ornate designs.
- Traditional Kitchens: Copper pots, ironware, or antique-looking pitchers work well for kitchen cabinet top decor.
- Transitional Kitchens: A mix works here—perhaps sleek baskets paired with simple, colorful glass jars.
Deciphering Between Soffits and Open Gaps
Many older homes feature a kitchen cabinet soffit—a fixed, usually drywall structure built between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. Modern kitchens often skip this, leaving an open space. Knowing which you have affects your approach to utilizing space above kitchen cabinets.
If You Have a Solid Soffit
If your space is fully enclosed by drywall:
- Assess Depth: How deep is the soffit? If it’s deep, you might be able to carefully open the bottom edge (if it’s decorative paneling) to create a small display niche, though this is complex.
- Lighting Focus: Focus on lighting it up. Install small lights on top of the existing cabinets, pointing up at the soffit’s face. This draws attention to the architecture rather than the dusty gap.
- Paint Choice: Paint the soffit the same color as the ceiling. This visually merges the soffit with the ceiling, making the cabinets appear taller, even if you don’t add items on top.
If You Have an Open Gap
If there is empty air space:
- Measure Accurately: Measure the height and depth. This dictates whether you can use crown molding (small gap), open shelving (medium gap), or large decorative elements (large gap).
- Consider Intent: Are you trying to hide something (like pipes) or display something? If hiding utilities, an intentional bulkhead structure (Idea 5) is best. If displaying, go for curated display ideas for above kitchen cabinets (Idea 2).
FAQ Section: Common Questions About Cabinet Tops
Q: Can I place food items on top of kitchen cabinets?
A: While technically possible, it is not recommended. Food packaging attracts pests, and the high heat and grease in a kitchen environment can spoil food quickly. Use decorative storage containers instead of actual food.
Q: Is it trendy to leave space above kitchen cabinets empty?
A: In very modern, minimalist design, sometimes yes, especially if the cabinets reach near the ceiling or the ceiling is very high. However, in most standard homes, leaving a noticeable gap looks unfinished. Intentional design, whether it’s molding or decor, is always better than neglect.
Q: How do I clean items on top of high cabinets?
A: Use a long-handled duster designed for ceiling fans or high corners. A good microfiber cloth attached to an extension pole works well. For greasy items, you will need a step ladder and mild soap and water. Regular, light dusting is easier than infrequent, deep cleaning.
Q: What are good, modern kitchen cabinet trim ideas if I don’t want crown molding?
A: Look for simple, square-edged trim profiles. In very contemporary kitchens, some designers use flat metal strips as trim instead of traditional wood molding. Another option is to install a thin, dark floating shelf just above the cabinets for a very simple layered look.
Q: Should I match the cabinet color or the wall color above the cabinets?
A: This depends on your goal. If you want the cabinets to look taller, match the cabinet color up to the ceiling. If you want to shrink the visual impact of the upper space (like a very high ceiling), paint the top section the same color as the ceiling. For kitchen cabinet top decor, contrast can be good, so painting the trim a slightly different shade can help frame the display.