Accent Your Kitchen With Above Cabinet Decorating

The space above kitchen cabinets often gets overlooked as a decorating opportunity. But accenting this area can add visual interest, character, and warmth to your kitchen. With the right decor pieces and creative styling, you can transform the empty space into an eye-catching feature.

Decorating the tops of cabinets serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Visually, it breaks up the expanse of wall space and cabinetry to make the kitchen feel less monotonous. Utilizing the vertical space draws the eye upward, creating a sense of height and dimension. The decor also provides the opportunity to infuse color, texture, shapes and personality into the kitchen.

Assess Your Kitchen and Prep the Space

Before decorating, take time to assess your kitchen layout and style. Consider the existing cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, flooring and other elements. Your above cabinet decor should complement the overall aesthetic. For example, rustic farmhouse-style items would suit a kitchen with wood cabinetry and an apron-front sink. On the other hand, sleek metallic vases and sculptures work well in a contemporary kitchen.

Take measurements of the cabinet tops to determine the horizontal space you have to work with. This will help when selecting decor pieces and determining placement. Also note ceiling height, lighting fixtures and any other spatial constraints.

Decluttering is also an important first step. Remove any existing items from the tops of cabinets. Then thoroughly clean the surfaces. This provides a blank canvas for styling.

Consider Your Design Style

How you decorate above the cabinets depends on your personal taste and aesthetic preferences. Certain styles lend themselves well to this area.

• Farmhouse - Vintage signs, galvanized steel buckets, woven baskets
• Modern - Sculptural vases, geometric terrariums, decorative bottles
• Rustic - Dried botanicals, antique boxes, wood crates
• Coastal - Shells, starfish, driftwood, white ceramic pitchers
• Eclectic - Collections of various bowls, plates, and platters

You can also take inspiration from kitchens featured in home magazines and websites. This helps generate ideas for the type of decor that appeals to you.

Types of Above Cabinet Decor

From open shelving to closed storage, a wide variety of decor options exist for above cabinet spaces. Consider what would best suit your kitchen's size and style.

Open Shelving

Open shelving creates an airy, visually open display area. This type of shelving comes in various materials like wood, metal, or glass. The space is ideal for showcasing decorative bowls, vases, framed art, cookbooks, and kitchenware. For a cohesive look, limit the types of items on display and keep their sizes/shapes relatively similar.

Closed Storage

Closed storage like cupboards camouflage clutter while still adding visual appeal. Cupboards with glass doors work especially well, allowing you to view treasured dishware inside. For a DIY approach, attach cabinets or cubbies directly to the wall above existing cabinets. This expands storage without major renovations.

Lighting

From pendant lights to track lighting, illuminating the above cabinet space creates ambiance and highlights your decorative pieces. Opt for fixture styles that integrate into your kitchen's overall lighting design. Mini-pendants, sconces and under-cabinet lighting are all great options.

Wall Decor

Wall decor like art, mirrors, and floating shelves further accentuate the space. Floating shelves provide surfaces to display smaller items in front of a wallpapered or painted wall. Frame your best art prints or plates for a bold pop of color and interest. Non-permanent wall decals also allow you to refresh your look regularly.

Plants and Greenery

Incorporating plants and greenery is an easy way to inject life into the space above cabinets. Opt for low-maintenance varieties that thrive in indirect light. Succulents, air plants, snake plants and pothos vines all work well. Use planters that complement your kitchen's style, like woven baskets or concrete pots.

Design Tips for Above Cabinet Decor

Proper planning and design help you maximize the decorative potential of this space. Consider the following tips:

Add Heights and Dimensions

Incorporate decor pieces of varying heights to add depth and dimension. For example, place shorter items in front and taller pieces toward the back. You can also hang items at different levels along the wall. Mixing heights draws the eye upward and creates visual interest.

Use Odd Number Groupings

Odd numbers feel more organic and natural to the eye. Try arranging items in groups of three, five or seven. Place some items closer together and others slightly apart for a dynamic look.

Choose Complementary Colors

Select decor in colors that coordinate well with your kitchen's existing palette. Refer to a color wheel for ideal pairings. For example, shades of blue and green complement each other nicely. Neutrals like white, tan and gray also act as easy backdrops for bolder pops of color.

Incorporate Lighting

Properly illuminating your decorative pieces helps them stand out. Spotlights, track lights or pendant lights focused above the cabinets highlight your vignettes. If possible, install lighting on a separate switch than your main kitchen lighting.

Add Visual Weight on Bottom

Visually balance taller items by placing shorter, heavier pieces near the bottom. For example, anchor a tall glass vase with a ceramic garden stool beneath. This makes the display feel grounded.

Popular Above Cabinet Decor Ideas

Looking for inspiration? Here are some of the most popular ways homeowners decorate the tops of their kitchen cabinets:

Collections of Dishes and Servingware

Displaying collections of coordinating dishes, platters and bowls makes for an eye-catching accent. Try grouping by color, pattern or material for a cohesive look. Mixing in vintage silver and barware also adds visual interest.

Rustic Farmhouse Style

Achieve a cozy farmhouse vibe with vintage-inspired pieces like galvanized tin buckets, wire baskets, and faded signs. Natural elements like jute and distressed wood better suit this aesthetic than sleek modern decor.

Plants and Greenery

No space feels fresher than one abundant in plants and greenery. Let vines trail down from hanging planters. Set succulents and cacti atop cabinets alongside ceramic pots. The organic look softens hard cabinet edges.

Framed Art and Photography

Incorporate meaningful art, like family photos, children's artwork, or treasured prints. Floating shelves are great for displaying framed pieces. Just be mindful of placing art where cabinets open to avoid damage.

Sculptural and Geometric Decor

For contemporary kitchens, metallic vases, sculptural bowls, and faceted candles add striking focal points. The sleek, angular designs contrast nicely with traditional cabinetry.

One popular approach is turning the above cabinet space into a decorative gallery wall. This eye-catching feature fills the area with artwork, framed photos, floating shelves, sconces and other accents. Follow these tips when designing your own gallery wall:

• Choose items with visual weight and presence that stand out against the wall.
• Incorporate pieces in different sizes, shapes and orientations to add variety.
• Use largest items as anchors, arranging smaller pieces around them.
• Map out arrangement on floor or digitally before hanging for optimal placement.
• Group items close together in some areas and farther apart in others.
• Consider incorporating wall shelves for both form and function.