The space above your kitchen cabinets is often overlooked, but it can be a treasure trove of potential for design and storage. Whether you have a lot of spare room or just a sliver, this often forgotten area can bring personality, style, and even extra functionality to your kitchen.
Let’s explore some creative ways to decorate the top of your kitchen cabinets and get the most out of this underutilized space.
Practical Considerations: Before You Decorate
- Accessibility: How high are your cabinets? Can you easily and safely reach what you place on top? If the space is difficult to access frequently, consider storing less-used items or decorative pieces you don’t need to touch often.
- Cleanability: This area can collect dust, especially if your kitchen gets a lot of use. Choose items that are easy to clean, or be prepared to dust them regularly.
- Style Cohesion: Ensure whatever you place on top of your cabinets complements your kitchen’s overall style. A modern kitchen might clash with an abundance of farmhouse decor elements on display.
Decorative Ideas: Finding Your Style
Now, let’s get to the fun part! Here are some ideas to inspire your top-of-cabinet décor journey:
- Introduce Greenery: Plants, whether real or faux, can add a touch of life and natural beauty. Consider trailing plants like ivy, low-maintenance succulents, or sprigs of fresh herbs in decorative pots.
- Showcase Cookbooks: Create a vignette with a stack of your favorite cookbooks. A decorative bookend or a vintage recipe box can add interest. You’ll also have easy recipe access when you’re feeling creative in the kitchen.
- Spotlight Unique Dishware: Do you have beautiful serving platters, decorative bowls, or vintage cake stands? Put them on display, transforming the tops of your cabinets into a mini exhibition.
- Stack Storage Baskets: Baskets made of natural materials like wicker or rattan provide both style and functionality. Use them to store less frequently used kitchen items like table linens, baking supplies, or even extra snacks.
- Artful Arrangements: Lean framed art, photographs, or decorative trays against the wall on top of your cabinets. Play with different sizes and textures to create dimension.
- Vintage Finds: Flea market finds or inherited pieces like antique pitchers, tea tins, or old bottles can lend a sense of history and charm.
- Seasonal Touches: Switch up your decor with the seasons! Display gourds and mini pumpkins in the fall, festive ornaments during the holidays, or colorful branches in the spring.
Pro-Tips to Take Your Decorating to the Next Level
- Vary Heights: Create visual interest by using décor pieces of different heights. Combine tall vases with shorter candleholders or mix a big basket with a smaller framed picture.
- Embrace Lighting: Under-cabinet lighting or battery-powered puck lights can spotlight your top-of-cabinet display. This adds both a cozy ambiance and a touch of drama.
- Grouping Creates Impact: Avoid scattering items randomly. Group pieces together to create curated vignettes that draw the eye.
- Color Coordination: Consider the colors of your kitchen when choosing your décor. Choose pieces that complement your existing palette or use pops of color to create a stylish and eye-catching contrast.
- Think Outside the Box: Don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected items. A vintage suitcase, a collection of hats, or even a framed piece of fabric could become your signature statement piece.
Read More: How to Renovate a Small House: A Guide to Transforming Your Space
Additional Considerations: Cabinets that Don’t Reach the Ceiling
If your cabinets have a significant gap between them and the ceiling, you have even more design flexibility:
- Extend with Wainscoting or Molding: Add visual continuity by installing wainscoting or decorative molding to bridge the gap. This creates a more finished, built-in look.
- Open Shelves: Install a shelf or two in the gap for storing cookbooks, dishware, plants, or decorative items that fit your kitchen’s aesthetic.
- Extra-tall Displays: This is your chance to use those oversized vases, dramatic sculptures, or extra-large woven baskets you might not have space for elsewhere.
The space above your kitchen cabinets holds limitless potential. With these ideas and tips, you can transform a forgotten zone into a stylish and functional part of your kitchen design.
