Top Ideas: What To Put On The Top Of Kitchen Cabinets

Yes, you absolutely can put things on top of kitchen cabinets. This area, often overlooked, presents a prime opportunity for both decoration and extra storage.

The space above kitchen cabinets, sometimes called the “soffit gap” if it’s open, is a tricky spot in any kitchen design. It can look messy fast, or it can become a fantastic showcase. Choosing what goes up there depends on your cabinet height, ceiling height, and the style of your kitchen. We are looking for great Ideas for above kitchen cabinets. This guide will give you many ways to style this space, from hiding gaps to showcasing beautiful Display items for kitchen cabinets.

Why People Debate Decorating Above Cabinets

Many people wonder if they should decorate this high space. There are good reasons for both sides of the argument.

The Challenges of the Cabinet Top

The top of your cabinets can be hard to clean. Dust loves to settle there. If your cabinets do not reach the ceiling, the gap can look unfinished. This is where the idea of hiding gaps above cabinets comes into play.

Dust magnet: High spaces collect dirt easily.
Accessibility issues: Reaching items up there can require a tall ladder.
Visual clutter: Too many small items can make the kitchen look busy.

The Benefits of Utilizing the Space

Using this area wisely adds character and function. It lets you personalize your kitchen without using precious counter space. Good kitchen cabinet top decor can really lift the look of the whole room.

Added visual height: Decor can make standard cabinets look taller.
Personal touch: It’s a great spot for special collections.
Extra storage (if used correctly): You can tuck away seldom-used items.

Creative Decorating Ideas for the Cabinet Top

When you decide to decorate, think about the overall look of your kitchen. You want items that fit your style, whether modern, farmhouse, or traditional.

Showcasing Collections and Art

This is the perfect place for display items for kitchen cabinets that you love but don’t use daily. Keep items large enough so they can be seen from the floor.

Baskets and Woven Goods

Woven baskets add texture and warmth. They work well in almost any style.

Use large, matching baskets for a clean look.
Mix sizes for visual interest, but keep colors similar.
These can even serve as discreet storage solutions above cabinets for lightweight items like holiday linens.

Faux Greenery and Plants

If real plants struggle with the lack of light up high, quality faux plants are a great choice.

Long trailing ivy or eucalyptus looks soft and natural.
Place tall, slender plants in decorative planters.
Choose hardy-looking faux succulents if your style is more modern.

Pottery and Ceramics

If you have lovely serving platters or unique ceramic pieces, display them here.

Stack platters vertically using plate stands.
Use oversized vases or pitchers that match your kitchen color scheme.
This is a lovely way to feature kitchen cabinet top decor that has sentimental value.

Themed Vignettes

Create small scenes that reflect your interests.

For a rustic look: Use antique tins or old wooden crates.
For a coastal look: Display large seashells or a ship model.
Keep the number of items low. One or two large pieces are often better than ten small ones.

Functional Storage Solutions Above Cabinets

If your kitchen lacks storage, the area above cabinets can be surprisingly useful. This turns decoration into kitchen cabinet top organization.

Utilizing Large, Light Containers

Since you will have trouble reaching these spots, only store things you rarely need.

Item Type	Best Use Case	Considerations
Seasonal Servingware	Large punch bowls, holiday platters	Ensure containers are sturdy and dust-proof.
Extra Linens	Rarely used tablecloths, specialty napkins	Fold neatly and place inside attractive, lidded bins.
Small Appliances (Backup)	Slow cooker, seldom-used mixer attachment	Box them up to keep dust off the motors.
Backup Paper Goods	Bulk paper towels, extra napkins (if you buy in large packs)	Only practical if you have very high ceilings and large bins.

Choosing the Right Containers

When using the top for storage solutions above cabinets, presentation matters. Don’t just stack boxes.

Matching Bins: Select bins or boxes that are the same color and material. This unifies the look, even if the contents are varied.
Lidded vs. Open: Always use lidded containers if you are storing functional items. This prevents dust and pests.
Wicker or Metal: These materials look better than cardboard boxes from the grocery store.

Addressing the Cabinet Gap: Trim and Fillers

For many homeowners, the main issue is the empty air space between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling. This area needs attention to make the kitchen look custom-built. This is key to hiding gaps above cabinets.

Installing Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding

The most professional way to finish this area is by adding kitchen cabinet crown molding. Molding closes the gap entirely, making the cabinets look like they were built specifically for the room height.

Types of Molding

Crown molding comes in different profiles. The style you pick should match the trim in the rest of your house.

Simple Bead Molding: A clean, straight line. Good for modern or shaker kitchens.
Cove Molding: Has a gentle curve, often used in traditional designs.
Ornate Profiles: Features detailed patterns. Best for very classic, formal kitchens.

Installation Tips

Measure Twice: Cut your angles carefully. Inside corners use a miter cut. Outside corners also use a miter cut.
Material Match: Try to find molding that matches the finish (paint color or wood stain) of your existing cabinets.
Height Matters: If the gap is large (more than 12 inches), you might need two layers of molding or a filler piece below the molding to bridge the distance gracefully.

Using Decorative Filler for Cabinets

If you cannot install permanent molding, or if the gap is too irregular, you can use decorative filler for cabinets. This is a piece of wood or composite material placed between the cabinet and the ceiling.

Simple Wood Panel: A flat piece of wood painted the same color as the cabinet. This creates a clean, solid top edge.
Custom Insert: Some people use decorative mesh panels or beadboard inserted into a frame above the cabinet. This allows for air flow while still hiding the structural gap.

If you choose to decorate rather than fill, the objects you place on top must be large enough to visually compete with the height of the gap, making the space look intentional, not empty.

Lighting for the Top of Cabinets

Adding light to the top of your cabinets is a fantastic way to create ambiance and highlight your styling kitchen cabinets. This technique draws the eye upward, making the kitchen feel larger.

Uplighting Techniques

The goal here is to shoot light upwards toward the ceiling.

LED Strip Lighting

This is the easiest and most modern way to light the area.

Placement: Adhere flexible LED strips to the inside top edge of the cabinet boxes. Ensure the strip is hidden from view when looking up.
Color Temperature: Use warm white light (around 2700K-3000K) for a cozy glow. Cool white can look harsh.
Control: Use strips connected to a dimmer switch or a remote control for easy access.

Puck Lights (Battery Operated)

If you rent or cannot run new wiring, battery-powered puck lights are an option.

Pros: Easy to install; no wiring needed.
Cons: Requires battery changes, which means ladder work. Light output is usually less powerful than hardwired LEDs.

Highlighting Decor

If you use this space for Display items for kitchen cabinets, aim the light directly at them.

Use small, focused directional spotlights hidden behind larger items. This creates dramatic shadows and highlights texture.
If you have high ceilings, using lighting draws attention to the full vertical space, enhancing the overall design.

Style Guide: Achieving Cohesive Kitchen Cabinet Top Decor

The key to successful styling kitchen cabinets high up is restraint and coordination. This space should complement, not compete with, your main kitchen features.

Matching Cabinet Style to Decor

Your decorative choices must align with your existing kitchen aesthetic.

1. Traditional Kitchens

These kitchens favor symmetry and classic shapes.

Best Items: Large copper pots, antique scales, or formal ceramic urns.
Color Palette: Deep greens, creams, reds, or metallic finishes.
Placement: Arrange items symmetrically—the same object on both ends of a cabinet run.

2. Modern/Minimalist Kitchens

Clean lines and open space are crucial here. Avoid clutter.

Best Items: Sculptural pieces, single large vases with interesting shapes, or very few, high-quality baskets.
Color Palette: Neutrals—black, white, gray, or wood tones.
Placement: Use negative space effectively. A single, impactful piece is better than several smaller ones.

3. Farmhouse/Rustic Kitchens

Texture and age are important elements.

Best Items: Galvanized metal buckets, vintage cutting boards leaned vertically, or dried wheat arrangements.
Color Palette: Natural wood, white, gray, and black accents.
Placement: Group items in odd numbers (threes or fives) for a more casual, inviting look.

Creating Visual Balance

When styling kitchen cabinets, think about weight and scale.

Weight: Dark, heavy objects should be balanced by lighter items elsewhere, or placed on lower cabinets if possible. On top, focus on lighter colors or open structures like baskets.
Scale: If your cabinets are short (e.g., 36 inches) and the ceiling is high, using very small items will emphasize the gap. Use taller, more commanding pieces to bridge the height difference. If your cabinets are very tall (to the ceiling), use molding and skip decoration entirely, or choose very low-profile decorative filler for cabinets.

Maintenance and Practicality

Even the best-looking display needs upkeep. Maintenance is vital when considering kitchen cabinet top decor.

Cleaning Strategies

Since these areas are hard to reach, cleaning requires planning.

The Vacuum Method: Use a vacuum cleaner attachment (like a soft brush tool) to gently suck up loose dust before wiping. Do this every 3–6 months.
The Duster Wand: Invest in a long-handled, flexible duster designed for high spaces. This helps with quick cleanups between deep cleans.
Wipe Down: If you use wipeable surfaces like ceramic or glass, use a damp cloth (dampened with just water or mild soap). Ensure everything is completely dry before putting it back.

Safety First

Remember that anything placed up high can be a hazard if it falls.

Avoid Heavy or Fragile Items: Do not place very heavy antique glass or sharp metal objects where they could easily fall during cleaning or if someone bumps the ladder.
Secure Tall Items: If you are styling kitchen cabinets with tall, narrow items (like tall vases), place a small museum putty (like QuakeHOLD!) on the base to keep them from tipping over when dusted.

Incorporating Function: Hidden Storage Above Cabinets

For kitchens where every inch counts, the top space can become smart storage solutions above cabinets, provided you make the storage look intentional. This moves beyond simple decoration into kitchen cabinet top organization.

The Power of Uniformity

If you use storage, uniformity is your best friend. Random boxes look messy. Identical containers look like a deliberate design feature.

Material Consistency: If you use woven seagrass baskets for your living room storage, use the same style above the cabinets.
Size Consistency: If you have three cabinets, try to use three identically sized baskets across the top.

Specialized Storage Uses

This area is excellent for items related to parties or cooking that you only pull out once or twice a year.

Baking Equipment: Specialized rolling pins, cookie cutters, or fondant tools.
Party Supplies: Extra paper plates, candles, or spare light bulbs for fixtures.

When dealing with ideas for above kitchen cabinets, always ask: Does this look like clutter, or does it look like intentional design? If it’s storage, make the container look beautiful.

Finalizing the Look: The Role of Filler Panels

If your cabinets are significantly shorter than your ceiling height, sometimes the best choice isn’t decoration but construction. This is where decorative filler for cabinets moves from an option to a necessity for a high-end look.

What is a Filler Panel? It is a vertical piece of material installed between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling. It bridges the gap before crown molding is added.
Why Use It? It makes the cabinets look fully integrated into the architecture. It provides a stable, flat surface to attach kitchen cabinet crown molding if you decide to add it later.

If you choose not to install molding or filler, the decoration must fill the space visually, otherwise the ceiling height will feel awkward compared to the cabinet height.

Summary of Top Cabinet Top Strategies

Deciding what to put on top depends on your goals: decoration, storage, or gap hiding.

Goal	Best Approach	Key Consideration
Pure Decoration	Large, cohesive items (vases, pottery, baskets).	Scale: Items must be big enough to be seen clearly.
Added Storage	Matching, lidded, attractive bins or baskets.	Accessibility: Only store items you use once a year or less.
Hiding Gaps	Installing kitchen cabinet crown molding or a flat filler panel.	Professional finish: Essential for a custom look.
Ambiance	Installing LED strip lighting for top of cabinets.	Safety: Ensure lights are cool-running and hidden from direct view.

By carefully planning your approach to kitchen cabinet top decor, you can transform that dusty, unused space into a beautiful focal point that enhances your entire kitchen design. Focus on quality over quantity when styling kitchen cabinets up high.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cabinet Tops

Q1: Should I put food items on top of my kitchen cabinets?

A: It is generally advised not to store actual food items up there. The temperature fluctuations and dust accumulation make it unsanitary and impractical. If you store anything related to food (like nice serving platters), ensure they are sealed in airtight, clean containers.

Q2: Is it better to have cabinets go all the way to the ceiling?

A: Yes, cabinets that meet the ceiling offer the most seamless, custom look. They eliminate the need for decorating or dealing with dust accumulation in the gap. If renovating, this is the preferred modern approach.

Q3: What if my cabinets are an odd size and the gap is really small (like 2 inches)?

A: For a very small gap (under 4 inches), decoration is usually not recommended as items look cramped. The best option here is to install very simple trim or a thin piece of decorative filler for cabinets to create a crisp, clean line, effectively hiding the small gap without requiring elaborate molding.

Q4: Can I paint the space between the cabinet and the ceiling?

A: Yes, painting is a great, simple trick. If you paint the wall space above the cabinet the exact same color as the cabinet itself, the eye perceives the cabinet as taller, which is an effective way of hiding gaps above cabinets without using trim or decor.

Q5: How do I keep dust off my Display items for kitchen cabinets?

A: Dusting high spots is tough. Use a microfiber duster with an extendable handle for quick weekly maintenance. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp microfiber cloth after vacuuming the area first. Consistency is key to keeping up with dust.