What to put on top of kitchen cabinets? You can use this space to display decorative items, store less-used kitchenware, add greenery, or utilize lighting to enhance the look of your kitchen.
The space above kitchen cabinets often gets overlooked. It can become a dusty, forgotten zone, or it can be transformed into a key design element. Decorating above kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to add personality, visual height, and extra storage to your cooking space. It’s a prime spot for kitchen cabinet top decor ideas that draw the eye upward. Let’s explore the best ways to style this often-neglected area.
Why Decorate the Top of Kitchen Cabinets?
Many homeowners face a gap between their cabinets and the ceiling. This space can look awkward or unfinished. Decorating this area serves several important purposes:
- Visual Impact: It draws the eye up, making the entire kitchen feel taller and more spacious. This is key for enhancing kitchen cabinet height with decor.
- Personality: It offers a chance to display collections or items that reflect your style.
- Filling Empty Space: It covers the bare wall area, leading to a more finished look.
- Softening Hard Lines: Items like plants or flowing fabrics can soften the hard edges of cabinetry.
Assessing Your Space: The Crucial First Steps
Before grabbing decorations, you must look closely at your kitchen setup. The best approach depends on the gap size and your cabinet style.
Measuring the Gap
How much space do you have? This is vital.
- Large Gaps (12 inches or more): You have room for taller items, larger baskets, or even small artworks.
- Medium Gaps (6 to 12 inches): Good for medium-sized decorative objects, layered items, or small faux plants.
- Small Gaps (Less than 6 inches): This area is best kept simple. Too much clutter looks messy. Focus on clean lines or perhaps kitchen cabinet crown molding alternatives if the gap is very tight.
Cabinet Style Check
The style of your cabinets affects what looks right on top.
| Cabinet Style | Recommended Decor Vibe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional/Ornate | Antiques, pottery, large baskets, warm colors. | Lean towards classic, heavy items. |
| Modern/Sleek | Minimalist objects, geometric shapes, limited color palette. | Keep it clean and uncluttered. |
| Rustic/Farmhouse | Vintage signs, wooden crates, galvanized metal items. | Focus on natural textures. |
If you have a soffit (a finished drop-down area above the cabinets), kitchen cabinet soffit decorating requires a lighter touch, as the visual surface area is smaller.
Top Shelf Styling Strategies: Styling Above Kitchen Cabinets
When styling above kitchen cabinets, think about balance and flow. You are essentially creating a high shelf display.
Keep It Balanced, Not Crowded
The biggest mistake is overfilling the space. A few well-chosen items look much better than a jumble of everything. Use the “Rule of Odds” (groups of three or five items) for a pleasing look.
Consider the Focal Point
Decide which section of cabinets will hold the main visual interest. You don’t need to decorate every inch evenly. A grouping of three taller items over the sink area might look better than spreading small items across the whole length.
Lighting Matters
Lighting is perhaps the most effective way to draw attention upward.
- LED Strip Lights: Install thin LED strips under the cabinet tops (facing the ceiling). This washes the wall and your decor in soft light.
- Uplights: Small puck lights placed directly on the cabinet top can highlight specific items. This is great for display items for kitchen cabinets top.
Creative Kitchen Cabinet Topper Ideas
What exactly should you place up there? Here are many creative kitchen cabinet topper ideas, categorized by function and style.
1. Greenery and Life
Plants instantly soften the hard lines of cabinets.
- Faux Plants: If you have low light or forget to water, high-quality faux plants work well. Trailing ivy or ferns look fantastic hanging slightly over the edge.
- Potted Herbs (If Near Light): Rosemary or small succulents can thrive if there is a nearby window.
- Vines and Garlands: Artificial eucalyptus or boxwood garlands can drape lightly across the tops, especially effective in farmhouse kitchens.
2. Culinary and Kitchenware Displays
Use this space to showcase beautiful kitchen items you don’t use daily. This is ideal for decorating open kitchen shelving above cabinets if your cabinets stop short of the ceiling.
- Vintage Serving Dishes: Display colorful platters, large punch bowls, or antique tureens.
- Cookbooks: Stack a few beautifully bound cookbooks horizontally.
- Copper Pots and Pans: Hanging them from hooks mounted just below the cabinet top adds a rustic, professional touch.
- Large Mixing Bowls: Ceramic or wooden bowls stacked loosely create texture.
3. Baskets and Storage Solutions
Baskets offer texture and the illusion of hidden storage. This is a very easy kitchen cabinet top decorating solution because baskets look good even when slightly unevenly placed.
- Woven Baskets: Use large, matching rattan or wicker baskets. They can hide lighter, less attractive items like extra paper towels or rarely used serving trays.
- Wire Baskets: Good for a modern or industrial look, great for storing linens.
4. Artwork and Signage
If you have a large amount of space, leaning artwork works well.
- Large Framed Prints: Choose kitchen-themed art, abstract pieces that match your color scheme, or landscape photos. Lean them against the wall.
- Decorative Signs: Wooden or metal signs with witty kitchen phrases or simple words like “Gather” fit well, especially in country-style homes.
5. Sculptural and Themed Objects
This is where you inject your personal style.
- Ceramic Vases: Tall, interesting vases add verticality.
- Antique Clocks or Globes: These add a scholarly or vintage touch.
- Themed Collections: If you collect blue and white porcelain or vintage cameras, grouping them creates a cohesive display.
Tip for Medium Gaps: Layering works well here. Place a low, wide item (like a tray) down first, then add a medium item (like a basket), and top with a tall item (like a vase).
Dealing with the Unfinished Look: Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding Alternatives
If the main goal is to make the cabinets look taller, you need to bridge the gap visually. If traditional crown molding isn’t feasible or desired, consider these substitutes:
Extending the Cabinet Line
Instead of stopping décor right at the top edge, try to create a visual continuation:
- Faux Molding Strips: Purchase thin, lightweight wooden trim pieces that mimic molding. Paint them the same color as your cabinets and secure them directly to the top edge. This lowers the visual ceiling height slightly, making the cabinets look custom-built to the ceiling.
- Stacked Trim: Use two different widths of simple wooden molding pieces, stacked one on top of the other, to create a custom, chunky header effect.
Visual Fillers for Small Gaps
For very small spaces where decoration is hard, focus on texture and color.
- Color Match: Paint the visible wall space between the cabinet top and the ceiling the exact same color as the cabinets. This visually merges the two elements.
- Textured Wallpaper: If the gap is narrow but deep, use a textured wallpaper (like grasscloth) on the wall above the cabinets for a subtle, luxurious finish.
Kitchen Cabinet Soffit Decorating Considerations
A soffit is a drop ceiling section, often hiding pipes or ductwork. Decorating above this requires a different strategy because the soffit usually ends a few feet before the wall meets the ceiling.
- Treat the Soffit as a Shelf: If the soffit is wide enough (over 6 inches), treat the top surface as a continuous shelf running along the cabinets below it. Use baskets or long, low items here.
- Focus on the Wall Above the Soffit: Since the soffit itself might be bulky, direct your kitchen cabinet top decor ideas to the visible wall section above the soffit. Use taller, narrower items here to emphasize the vertical space between the soffit edge and the actual ceiling line.
- Minimize Clutter: Soffits can sometimes make a kitchen feel closed in. Keep decorations on top of them sparse and light in color to prevent the area from feeling heavy.
Utilizing the Space for Storage and Display
Sometimes, the best decoration is functional items you love. This blurs the line between what to put on top of kitchen cabinets and practical storage.
Display Items for Kitchen Cabinets Top
When selecting display items, think about durability. Dust settles quickly up high, and cleaning these items frequently might be a chore.
| Item Category | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pottery/Ceramics | Timeless, textured, varied color options. | Heavy, breakable. | Traditional or Tuscan styles. |
| Baskets/Crates | Adds warmth, masks clutter, light enough to move. | Can attract dust/insects if not sealed well. | Farmhouse or coastal looks. |
| Glassware/Bottles | Catches light, reflective surfaces look clean. | Can look too busy if varied too much. | Modern or eclectic designs. |
| Faux Greenery | Adds life without maintenance. | Quality varies greatly; cheap plastic looks bad. | Any style needing a softening touch. |
Making Storage Look Intentional
If you need the space for storage, make it look intentional, not forgotten.
- Uniform Containers: If you store spare linens or foil above the cabinets, use five identical, high-quality storage boxes or bins. Uniformity signals organization.
- Color Coordination: Ensure the stored items or their containers match your primary kitchen accent colors.
Easy Kitchen Cabinet Top Decorating for Beginners
Starting out can be overwhelming. Follow these simple steps for an immediate upgrade:
- Pick a Theme: Decide on one feeling—e.g., “rustic wood,” “bright white ceramics,” or “green and gold.” Stick to items that fit that theme.
- Start Tall, Go Wide: Place your tallest item in the center of the grouping, or at one end. Then, flank it with medium and short items, spreading outward.
- Use Negative Space: Leave empty areas between groupings. This gives the eye a place to rest and makes the items you did choose stand out more.
- Utilize the Wall: Don’t forget the wall space above the cabinets. A narrow, vertical piece of art tucked between two cabinets adds height without taking up valuable cabinet top real estate.
Advanced Design: Enhancing Kitchen Cabinet Height with Decor
To truly maximize the perceived height, focus on vertical lines and height variation.
The Power of Scale
Use one or two very tall, thin items rather than many short, squat items. A very tall, slender vase, or a stack of three identical, slender baskets, will guide the eye straight up to the ceiling.
Creating Vignettes
Instead of scattering items, create small, deliberate scenes (vignettes) in front of each cabinet section. A vignette should tell a small story, perhaps featuring a large basket, a small ceramic animal, and a bundle of faux wheat tied with twine.
Color Contrast
If your cabinets are dark (navy or deep wood), use light, bright items on top (white ceramics, light wicker). If your cabinets are light (white or pale gray), use darker, richer tones on top (dark wood, deep colored glass) to make the objects pop against the ceiling color.
Maintenance: Keeping Your High Decor Clean
It is a sad truth that dust loves high, stationary objects. Successful styling above kitchen cabinets requires a maintenance plan.
- The Feather Duster Test: If you can easily reach the area with an extendable duster, plan to dust monthly.
- The Ladder Rule: If you need a step stool or ladder, plan to deep clean these items just twice a year (spring cleaning and pre-holiday).
- Use Closed Containers: Baskets with lids or fully enclosed decorative boxes collect significantly less dust than open bowls or vases.
If you opt for faux greenery, remember that UV light can fade plastic over time. If the area gets direct sunlight, choose high-quality, UV-protected silks or opt for non-living materials like metal or pottery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put food items on top of kitchen cabinets?
While technically possible, it is generally not recommended unless the food items are sealed, durable, and purely decorative (like decorative dried beans in a clear glass jar). Unsealed food items attract pests and absorb kitchen grease and odors over time, making cleaning very difficult.
Should the decor above my cabinets match my backsplash?
No, they don’t have to match exactly, but they should complement each other. If your backsplash is very busy or colorful, keep the décor simple and monochromatic. If your backsplash is plain white subway tile, you have more freedom to introduce color and pattern above the cabinets. The goal is visual harmony, not duplication.
Is it okay to leave the space above my kitchen cabinets empty?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to leave the space empty, especially if your cabinets already extend very close to the ceiling or if you prefer a very minimalist aesthetic. If you leave it empty, ensure the paint color on the wall above the cabinets blends seamlessly with the cabinet color to avoid an unfinished look.
What if I have very high ceilings?
If you have 10-foot or higher ceilings, focus on creating visual layers. Use the top of the cabinets for your primary display (baskets, pottery). Then, use the upper wall space (the area between the cabinets and the ceiling) for taller items like vertical art, narrow mirrors, or even decorative high moulding to bridge the gap without needing oversized items on the cabinet tops themselves.