What should I put on top of my kitchen cabinets if I want a modern look? The best items to put on top of modern kitchen cabinets are often tall, sleek items, greenery, architectural pieces, or minimalist artwork. You should aim for less clutter and more intentional placement to achieve a contemporary feel.
The space above kitchen cabinets, often called the cabinet topper area, can be tricky to decorate. If your cabinets don’t reach the ceiling, this gap can look empty or collect dust. Decorating this area correctly can finish the look of your kitchen. It pulls the whole design together. This guide will explore many great options for kitchen cabinet top decor that fit perfectly into a modern aesthetic. We will look at modern cabinet toppers, stylish kitchen cabinet displays, and practical ways for filling space above kitchen cabinets.
Why Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?
Many homes have cabinets that stop short of the ceiling. This leaves an awkward gap. Filling this space does more than just look good. It impacts how the whole kitchen feels.
Aesthetic Benefits
When you choose the right decorative items for kitchen cabinets, you create visual height. This makes the ceiling look higher. It gives the room a more custom, finished look. In modern design, clean lines are key. Thoughtful styling prevents the area from looking messy or forgotten.
Practical Benefits
This area can also offer small, modern kitchen storage solutions above cabinets. While most items here are decorative, some functional pieces can blend in. Also, by decorating, you draw the eye up, which can minimize the look of lower ceiling heights or smaller kitchens.
Key Principles for Modern Cabinet Topper Styling
Modern style values simplicity and function over excessive ornamentation. When decorating this space, keep these core tenets in mind:
Scale and Height Matter
Modern design often uses vertical lines. Choose items that have height. Tall, narrow pieces work well. Avoid short, squat objects. These can look lost or make the gap seem wider than it is. Aim for items that fill about two-thirds to three-quarters of the vertical space.
Embrace Negative Space
In modern styling, what you don’t put up is as important as what you do. Do not overcrowd the space. A few well-chosen, impactful pieces are better than many small knick-knacks. This negative space keeps the look airy and clean.
Cohesive Color Palette
Stick to your kitchen’s existing color scheme. Modern palettes often use neutrals like white, black, gray, and natural wood tones. If you introduce color, let it be a single, bold accent color used sparingly across your display.
Fantastic Options for Modern Cabinet Toppers
There are many ways to approach how to decorate above kitchen cabinets in a modern way. Here are the top categories to explore for kitchen cabinet top styling ideas.
1. Architectural and Sculptural Elements
Modern design often borrows from architecture and art. Sculptural pieces add texture and form without relying on busy patterns.
Tall Vases and Pottery
Select large, simple vases. Look for matte finishes, clean shapes (cylinders, spheres, or abstract forms), and solid colors.
- Material Focus: Ceramic, matte black, white stone, or brushed metal.
- Impact: These add height and a sense of artistry. They are excellent for filling space above kitchen cabinets cleanly.
Abstract Sculptures
A single, impactful modern sculpture can serve as a focal point. Keep it streamlined. Think metal rods, geometric shapes, or abstract wood pieces. This elevates the look instantly.
Tall, Slim Wall Art
If the space allows, lean a very tall, thin piece of abstract art against the wall above the cabinet. Ensure it has a simple frame or is frameless canvas.
2. Natural Elements: Greenery and Botanicals
Plants bring life and organic texture to hard modern surfaces. However, keep the selection minimalist.
Faux Olive Trees or Tall Grasses
Since watering can be difficult up high, high-quality faux plants work well. Choose wispy, tall varieties like artificial olive branches or tall pampas grass. They add softness without bulk.
Modern Planters
If using real plants (perhaps placed on a high shelf built onto the cabinet top), use very modern, geometric planters. Trailing ivy or snake plants (Sansevieria) work well because they grow vertically.
3. Lighting Fixtures (Non-Functional)
While you usually need functional lighting installed near or under cabinets, sometimes decorative lighting placed on top can work, provided there is an outlet nearby or they are battery-operated and high quality.
- Sleek Lamps: Small, minimalist table lamps with metal bases and drum shades can add a soft glow during the evening.
- Decorative Pendants (If wiring allows): In rare cases where the gap is substantial, one or two small, pendant lights hung slightly lower than the ceiling line can act as art.
4. Books and Collections (Curated Sparingly)
If you must display collections, treat them like gallery pieces. Do not use every book you own.
Stacks of Oversized Art Books
Use a few large, thick books laid flat or standing upright. Choose books with solid-colored spines or dust jackets that match your color scheme. This speaks to sophistication.
Minimalist Dinnerware Displays
If your kitchen features open shelving or glass fronts, you might place one or two stunning, oversized white or black ceramic serving platters leaning against the wall on top of the cabinet. This is more common if you have glass doors in the upper cabinets themselves.
5. Utilizing the Cabinet Top Itself (If Accessible)
Sometimes the top of the cabinet is a usable surface, especially if the cabinets are flush against a bulkhead or if you intentionally built a shelf above them.
- Integrated Shelving: If you are renovating, consider integrating a shallow shelf just above the cabinets that runs the length of the wall. This creates a dedicated display niche.
- Uniform Storage Boxes: If you need storage, use matching, lidded boxes (made of linen, sleek plastic, or wood veneer). Line them up neatly. This is a prime example of modern kitchen storage solutions above cabinets.
Methods for Showcasing Above Kitchen Cabinets
How you arrange the chosen items is crucial for achieving a modern look.
The Rule of Odds
When grouping items, use odd numbers (one, three, or five). Groups of three are particularly effective in modern styling. For example, one tall vase, one medium sculpture, and one short stack of books.
Creating Varied Heights
To avoid a flat, boring display, vary the height of the objects. This creates visual rhythm. A good formula is Tall + Medium + Short.
- Table Example: Three-Piece Display
| Item Position | Description | Height/Visual Weight | Modern Aesthetic Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left | Tall, narrow ceramic floor vase (matte black) | Tallest | Vertical Line Emphasis |
| Center | Stack of two large, neutral-colored coffee table books | Medium | Grounding Element |
| Right | Small, geometric metal sculpture | Shortest | Abstract Form Interest |
Balancing Act: Symmetry vs. Asymmetry
Modern design often leans toward intentional asymmetry. Instead of mirroring items on both sides of the range hood or a central feature, offset them. Place a larger item slightly off-center, balanced by a smaller grouping on the other side.
Treating the Top as a Gallery
If you have a long stretch of cabinets, break the space into smaller vignettes rather than one long, continuous line of stuff. Designate separate zones for decoration every 4 to 6 feet. This makes the display feel curated.
Avoiding Common Modern Styling Mistakes
Modern style is deceptively simple. Getting it wrong can look sparse rather than intentional.
Do Not Use Clutter
This is the cardinal sin of modern design. Avoid small souvenirs, mismatched mugs, or baskets packed full of items. Small, busy items destroy the clean lines that define the modern look. This is not the place for general kitchen overflow.
Avoid Highly Ornate or Traditional Items
Stay away from crystal, highly detailed figurines, distressed wood, or heavily patterned ceramics (unless the pattern is strictly geometric). These clash with the sleek aesthetic.
Match Cabinet Color
If your cabinets are white, using all white items can look sterile. If they are dark wood, all black items might look too heavy. Use contrast sparingly—a single dark object on white cabinets, or a light, airy object on dark cabinets.
Dust Management
Remember that this space is hard to reach. Choose items that are easy to dust or that do not collect dust easily (e.g., solid metal vs. highly textured objects).
Solutions for Cabinets that Meet the Ceiling
What if your cabinets already reach the ceiling? This is often the preferred modern solution as it maximizes storage and eliminates the dust-gathering gap. If this is your situation, you are still decorating, but differently.
Focus on Cabinet Hardware
In a ceiling-height kitchen, the “decor” moves to the cabinet faces.
- Sleek Pulls: Opt for long, thin bar pulls in matte black, brushed nickel, or brass. These emphasize the vertical lines.
- Handleless Designs: Push-to-open mechanisms or recessed finger pulls maintain the smoothest, most uninterrupted modern surface possible.
Glass Front Cabinets
If you have glass doors on upper cabinets, this is your opportunity for stylish kitchen cabinet displays inside the cabinet.
- Uniform Glassware: Display matching sets of modern, clear glassware.
- Open Shelving Inserts: Install simple internal lighting to highlight a few pieces of pottery or decorative bowls kept inside.
Creative and Uncommon Contemporary Cabinet Accessories
For those looking beyond vases, consider these unique ways to enhance the space above your cabinets.
Utilizing Metals
Metals are inherently modern due to their clean, reflective surfaces.
- Copper or Brass Piping Art: Abstract art made from bent metal tubing can look very high-end.
- Mirrored Boxes: A few low-profile, mirrored boxes placed strategically can reflect light and make the ceiling seem taller, without adding visual weight.
Geometric Lighting Fixtures
If you have a high ceiling and a substantial gap, you can hang a cluster of three simple, modern pendants at varying, yet controlled, heights. This functions as a modern chandelier substitute. Ensure the lowest point of the light fixture still allows comfortable movement below.
Integrating Technology (Subtly)
In very high-tech modern kitchens, sometimes a single, minimalist digital picture frame displaying abstract art can be placed on top, cycling through images. This must be done carefully to avoid looking like misplaced office equipment.
Practical Tips for Styling Above Cabinets
Achieving the look requires planning, especially regarding access and maintenance.
Access Planning
Before placing anything heavy or fragile up high, consider how you will get it down later. A step stool or small ladder will be needed occasionally for cleaning. Heavy stone sculptures are beautiful but difficult to move frequently.
Lighting the Display
A well-lit display draws attention upward, enhancing the modern verticality.
- Under-Cabinet Lighting: While focused down, this ambient light bounces off the ceiling and softly illuminates the items above.
- Spot Lighting: If possible, install small, discreet puck lights in the ceiling aimed directly down onto the kitchen cabinet top decor.
Working with Different Ceiling Heights
The approach changes based on the gap size:
| Gap Size | Recommendation | Effect Achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Very Small (Under 6 inches) | Paint the gap the same color as the wall or cabinets. Or, install crown molding that bridges the gap. | Seamless, Custom Built-In Look |
| Medium (6–18 inches) | Focus on horizontal elements like slim art or low-profile boxes. Use 2-3 tall items balanced by negative space. | Clean, Gallery Display |
| Large (18 inches +) | Utilize tall, statement pieces like large floor vases or sculptural elements that reach up toward the ceiling line. | Height Emphasis, Architectural Statement |
Integrating Greenery: How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets with Plants
Plants soften the industrial edge of modern materials like steel and concrete. When selecting greenery for the cabinet topper, think shape and texture.
Faux vs. Real
For accessibility and lighting reasons, faux is often best here. Quality matters immensely in modern design. A cheap plastic plant ruins the sophisticated look. Invest in realistic silk or high-grade plastic pieces.
Texture Play
Use plants to contrast smooth cabinet finishes:
- Smooth Cabinets (High Gloss): Pair with plants that have textured leaves, like wispy ferns or fine grasses.
- Textured Cabinets (Matte Wood): Pair with very clean, architectural plants like snake plants or succulents (if using real, low-light varieties).
Placement for Greenery
If you use three items, make the plant one of the three. For example: Tall metal sculpture, medium stack of books, and one tall, elegant, faux olive branch standing in a simple urn.
Maintaining Your Modern Cabinet Toppers Display
A modern display must look pristine. Dust accumulation is the main enemy.
- Simplify Surfaces: Choose items with fewer crevices or textures. Glass, smooth metal, and sealed ceramics are easiest to wipe down.
- Regular Cleaning Schedule: Schedule a quick dusting session every month. Use a microfiber cloth or a feather duster with an extension handle.
- Seasonal Refresh: Modern styling benefits from subtle seasonal changes. Swap out a neutral vase for a piece with a richer jewel tone in the winter, or introduce lighter linens/whites in the summer. This keeps the display feeling fresh without compromising the core modern aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Should I use baskets to fill the space above kitchen cabinets in a modern kitchen?
A: Generally, traditional woven baskets are too rustic for a strictly modern space. If you want a basket look, choose very sleek, rectangular storage boxes made of modern materials like felt or smooth, dark composite material. They should look intentional, not like overflow storage.
Q: Is it okay to use my everyday dishes or glassware above the cabinets?
A: Only if they are exceptionally beautiful, uniform, and displayed minimally. If you have a set of 12 identical white coupe plates, leaning two against the wall can work. If you have a mix of inherited, mismatched items, they will look like clutter, defeating the purpose of modern cabinet top styling ideas.
Q: What color should I paint the wall space above the cabinets?
A: For the most seamless, modern look, paint the ceiling and that upper wall space the exact same color as the cabinets, or the same color as the ceiling. This blurs the line between the cabinet and the ceiling, making the entire wall look taller and more integrated, which is a key feature of high-end modern design.
Q: Can I put mirrors above my kitchen cabinets?
A: Yes, this is a great option for filling space above kitchen cabinets if done correctly. Choose very simple, frameless, rectangular mirrors. They add depth and reflect light without introducing competing patterns or bulky frames. Use them sparingly, perhaps just above a specific area like the sink.
Q: Are string lights a good idea for modern cabinet toppers?
A: Battery-operated fairy lights are generally considered too casual or whimsical for true modernism. If you must use lighting, opt for very targeted, high-quality LED strip lighting installed onto the cabinet top, aimed upwards to graze the wall, or use dedicated, sleek plug-in lamps as mentioned previously. The focus should be on clean lines, not twinkling strands.