What to put on top of kitchen cabinets? You can place decorative items, plants, attractive storage containers, or leave the space open, depending on your ceiling height and personal style. Decorating above kitchen cabinets is a great way to finish your kitchen design and add extra storage or visual interest.
Why Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?
Many kitchens have a gap between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling. This space can look unfinished or collect dust. Decorating over kitchen cabinets solves both problems. It draws the eye upward, making the kitchen feel taller. Good kitchen cabinet top display ideas also add personality to your cooking space.
Filling Empty Space Above Kitchen Cabinets
This empty area is often overlooked. Filling empty space above kitchen cabinets provides a chance to showcase collectibles or stylish items. It completes the room’s look. If you have high ceilings, this area is essential for balancing the room’s height.
Aesthetic Benefits of Styling Above Kitchen Cabinets
Adding decor up high brings layers to your design. It adds texture and color where it might otherwise be missing. This styling helps tie the entire room together. It moves the focus from just the counters to the whole vertical space.
Assessing Your Kitchen Space
Before choosing what to put on top of kitchen cabinets, look closely at your kitchen layout. The height of the cabinets and the ceiling matters most.
Cabinet Height vs. Ceiling Height
- Cabinets Meet Ceiling: If your cabinets touch the ceiling, you don’t need decor. Instead, focus on kitchen cabinet trim ideas to enhance the connection to the ceiling.
- Small Gap (Less than 12 inches): This area is best for streamlined decor or taller items. You want things that don’t look cramped.
- Large Gap (More than 12 inches): This space can handle larger pieces or collections. It gives you more room for creative kitchen cabinet topper ideas.
Visual Clutter Control
Keep the look light. Too many small items look messy from below. Aim for a few carefully chosen pieces rather than many tiny ones. This keeps the decor elegant.
Top Decorating Strategies for Cabinet Tops
There are many ways to approach decorating over kitchen cabinets. The best choice depends on your style—modern, rustic, farmhouse, or traditional.
Strategy 1: Creating Height with Tall Items
Tall items draw the eye up naturally. This makes ceilings seem higher.
Large Vases and Urns
Use oversized ceramic pieces or metal urns. These work well in traditional or Tuscan-style kitchens. Make sure they are sturdy.
Faux or Real Plants (If Reachable)
Tall, trailing greenery, like ivy or artificial ferns, softens the hard lines of the cabinets. If you use real plants, ensure they tolerate low light. This is a great choice for kitchen cabinet shelf decor if you install a small hidden shelf.
Sculptures or Finials
Abstract sculptures or decorative architectural elements (like old finials) offer unique focal points. Choose objects that match your kitchen’s main metal finishes (e.g., bronze or brushed nickel).
Strategy 2: Using Collections and Themed Displays
This strategy is perfect for kitchen cabinet top display ideas that show off your hobbies or travel finds.
Matching Dishware or Platters
Display large, attractive serving platters or antique plates vertically against the wall. Use simple stands to prop them up. Choose pieces with matching colors or patterns.
Baskets and Trays
Woven baskets add great texture. Use large, attractive baskets for styling above kitchen cabinets. You can even use them for light storage of seldom-used items, though this leans toward function over pure display.
Seasonal Decor
Rotate items based on the season.
* Fall: Use small gourds or warm-toned pottery.
* Winter: Simple white branches or subtle holiday accents.
* Spring: Light colors and floral motifs.
Strategy 3: Integrating Lighting
Lighting adds ambiance and highlights your decor. This is key for displaying items above kitchen cabinets effectively, especially in the evening.
String Lights (Subtle)
Very delicate fairy lights woven around taller items can create a warm glow. Use battery-operated versions for easy setup.
Uplighting
If possible, place small, directional puck lights or strip lights pointing up toward the ceiling, washing light over the objects. This highlights the decor dramatically.
Strategy 4: Embracing Minimalism (The “Less is More” Approach)
Sometimes, the best way to decorate is to keep it simple. This works well in modern or very busy kitchens.
Negative Space Dominance
Leave the area almost entirely bare, perhaps just placing one single, significant piece in the center. This emphasizes the height and keeps the space feeling open.
Focusing on Texture
If you choose only one or two items, make sure they have interesting texture—like rough concrete, hammered metal, or heavily woven textiles.
Material Choices for Cabinet Top Decor
The materials you select should complement your countertops, backsplash, and hardware.
| Material Type | Best For Kitchen Styles | Appearance and Feel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramics & Pottery | Farmhouse, Traditional, Coastal | Earthy, classic, colorful | Great for displaying antique pitchers or large bowls. |
| Metal (Copper, Brass, Tin) | Industrial, Rustic | Warm, aged, reflective | Good for large industrial signs or old metal containers. |
| Glass & Crystal | Modern, Formal, Glam | Light, reflective, airy | Use sparingly to avoid looking cluttered or too shiny. |
| Wicker & Rattan | Coastal, Farmhouse | Natural, textured, casual | Excellent for kitchen cabinet topper ideas that need warmth. |
| Wood (Beadboard, Reclaimed) | Rustic, Farmhouse | Solid, grounded, organic | Can be used to create a built-in look or display wooden signs. |
Addressing Specific Kitchen Styles
Tailor your ideas for unused space above cabinets to match your kitchen’s overall look.
Farmhouse Kitchens
Farmhouse style loves texture and history.
* Use galvanized metal buckets or watering cans.
* Display vintage-style wooden crates or signs with simple lettering.
* Opt for cream-colored or heavily distressed pottery.
Modern/Minimalist Kitchens
Clean lines are key here.
* Choose matte black or white geometric sculptures.
* Use simple, high-quality glass objects.
* Stick to a restricted color palette (e.g., black, white, gray).
Traditional Kitchens
This style allows for richer, more ornate items.
* Display elegant crystal decanters or tall, slender candlesticks (unlit, for safety).
* Use oil paintings in ornate, thin frames, leaning them against the wall.
* Look for classically shaped porcelain vases.
Practical Tips for Decorating Over Kitchen Cabinets
It’s easy to get carried away when displaying items above kitchen cabinets. Keep these practical points in mind for success.
Hiding the Dust Magnets
The top of cabinets is notorious for collecting grease and dust.
- Select Smooth Surfaces: Choose items that are easy to wipe down, like glazed pottery or metal. Avoid porous items like unsealed wicker or rough terracotta if you don’t clean up there often.
- Use Larger Items: Fewer large items mean fewer surfaces to dust. This simplifies cleaning significantly.
Securing Tall Items
If you have kids, pets, or live in an earthquake-prone area, safety is crucial.
- Use museum wax or clear adhesive putty on the bottom of heavy items. This prevents them from sliding off if the cabinet door is slammed nearby.
- For very tall, unstable items, consider mounting them to the wall behind the cabinets if possible, or ensuring they sit flush against the wall.
Achieving Balance and Scale
Scale is vital when styling above kitchen cabinets. If the items are too small, they look like clutter from the floor.
- Rule of Thirds: Arrange items in groups of odd numbers (three or five items). This is visually more pleasing.
- Vary Heights: Even within a group of three, ensure they are different heights. Use books or risers hidden behind taller items to achieve varying levels. This creates dynamic visual flow.
Kitchen Cabinet Shelf Decor Alternatives: When Space Isn’t Open
What if your cabinets go all the way up, but you still want decoration? You need to focus on the visible surfaces.
Utilizing Open Shelving (If Applicable)
If you have any open shelves incorporated into your upper cabinetry, this is prime real estate.
- Cookbooks: Stack pretty cookbooks horizontally, using one as a base and one standing vertically, topped with a small object.
- Mugs and Teapots: Hang favorite mugs from small hooks attached to the underside of a shelf, or stack attractive teapots.
Decorating the Cabinet Faces
If you cannot use the space above the cabinets, decorate the fronts subtly.
- Glass Fronts: Fill these with attractive glassware or matching sets of dishes.
- Decorative Hardware: Swapping out standard knobs for unique pulls can act as small “decor” details across the surface of the cabinet itself.
Kitchen Cabinet Trim Ideas to Finish the Look
If your goal is to hide the gap entirely or just make the space look more intentional, kitchen cabinet trim ideas are essential.
Adding Crown Molding
This is the most traditional and professional solution. Crown molding bridges the gap between the cabinet top and the ceiling.
- Custom Fit: Have a carpenter install molding that matches the height and style of your existing kitchen woodwork.
- Painted to Match: Painting the molding the exact color of the cabinets creates a seamless, built-in appearance.
- Contrasting Color: Using white molding against dark cabinets, or vice versa, can draw attention to the height and architectural detail.
Creating a Faux Bulkhead
If the gap is very large, you can build a simple wooden frame (a bulkhead) that extends the line of the cabinet upward to a certain height (like 6-12 inches below the ceiling). This smaller surface area is easier to decorate than the entire expanse above the original cabinet top. This method successfully utilizes ideas for unused space above cabinets by segmenting it.
Creating Impact with Kitchen Cabinet Topper Ideas
To maximize visual impact, consider these specific, large-scale kitchen cabinet topper ideas:
The Architectural Salvage Look
Source old corbels, brackets, or small sections of decorative molding from architectural salvage yards. These look fantastic painted a distressed color and placed strategically on top of the cabinets.
The Faux Frieze
If you have a very tall space, you can use wallpaper or stencil a pattern directly onto the wall above the cabinets. This acts like a decorative border or frieze running around the room, creating a deliberate design element rather than just unused space.
Displaying Functional, Beautiful Items
This mixes aesthetics with utility.
* Copper Pots: Hang or stack shiny copper pots and pans. They reflect light beautifully and signal a serious cook’s kitchen.
* Large Cutting Boards: Lean several large, beautiful wooden cutting boards vertically against the wall. Look for different wood tones for visual variety.
Maintaining Your Elevated Display
Once you have perfected your kitchen cabinet top display ideas, remember maintenance is ongoing.
Rotation and Refreshing
Don’t let decor become background noise.
1. Seasonal Swaps: Change out a few items every few months. This keeps the look fresh without a total overhaul.
2. Spot Check: Ensure nothing has faded due to direct sunlight coming from a nearby window.
Dusting Protocol
This is the number one complaint about decorating over kitchen cabinets.
- Tool Check: Use a microfiber cloth attached to a long extension duster or a Swiffer handle.
- Frequency: Dusting the top should be part of your deep cleaning routine (perhaps quarterly), not just your weekly wipe-down. If the dust builds up too much, it becomes a major chore.
Final Thoughts on Styling Above Kitchen Cabinets
The space above your kitchen cabinets offers a unique opportunity. It’s a canvas for large-scale decoration that complements your kitchen’s overall theme. Whether you choose tall, stately pieces or opt for simple crown molding, the goal is to make the upper space look intentional. By thoughtfully selecting materials and scale, your kitchen cabinet topper ideas will elevate your entire kitchen design, turning an empty spot into a feature. Remember that clean, intentional displays work best for filling empty space above kitchen cabinets and ensuring your decorating efforts last.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
Q1: Is it okay to leave space above kitchen cabinets empty?
Yes, it is perfectly okay to leave space above kitchen cabinets empty, especially if you prefer a very modern or minimalist look. However, if you have standard 8-foot ceilings and shorter cabinets, leaving a gap can sometimes make the kitchen feel unfinished. If you leave it bare, ensure the cabinet tops themselves are clean and perhaps paint the ceiling a rich, deep color to make the intentional emptiness feel deliberate.
Q2: What is the safest material to use for displaying items above kitchen cabinets?
Heavy, low-profile items are safest. Look for ceramic urns or metal containers that have a wide base. If you must use tall items, secure them using museum putty. Avoid anything fragile, like thin crystal, if the ceiling gap is large and cleaning requires a tall, shaky ladder.
Q3: How can I make my short kitchen cabinets look taller using decor above them?
To visually raise short cabinets, use vertical decor. Place tall, narrow items like slender vases, tall light fixtures (if using electrical solutions), or items that narrow as they rise. Additionally, installing kitchen cabinet trim ideas like crown molding that matches the cabinet color will create a continuous vertical line, tricking the eye into perceiving greater height.
Q4: Should I store things up there, or just use decor?
This depends on how often you need the items. Attractive storage containers like matching baskets or attractive canisters work well if you need the space for seasonal items or seldom-used appliances. However, for the best aesthetic result, pure decor items are usually better, as functional storage often looks messier when viewed from below.
Q5: What colors work best for decor above kitchen cabinets?
The colors should coordinate with your existing palette.
* High Contrast: Use white or black if your cabinets are a dark wood, or use deep blues/greens if your cabinets are white. This makes the decor pop.
* Monochromatic: Using shades of the cabinet color (e.g., creams and tans above white cabinets) creates a subtle, sophisticated, built-in look.