If the empty space above your kitchen cabinets has been bothering you, you’re definitely not the only one.
You might feel like your kitchen looks unfinished, but if you fill that space with random decor, you could end up with more clutter than style.
The good news is that you don’t need expensive decorations or a full kitchen makeover to make it look better.
When you use the right styling ideas, you can easily turn that awkward gap into a space that will add warmth and personality to your kitchen.
In this article, you’ll learn what you can put above your kitchen cabinets, when you should leave the space empty.
Let’s jump in!
Table of Contents
- Should You Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?
- What to Put Above Kitchen Cabinets
- How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets Without Creating Clutter
- Common Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
- Above Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for Every Style
- How to Match Decor With Your Cabinet Height
- Should You Use the Space for Storage?
- Easy Tips to Keep Above Cabinet Decor Looking Good
- Conclusion
Should You Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?
Decorating above your kitchen cabinets can make your kitchen feel warmer and more complete, but you don’t always have to decorate it.
If your cabinets stop well below the ceiling, you can add a few decorative pieces to help fill the empty space.
When your cabinets reach the ceiling or leave only a small gap, you should usually leave the area empty because it will give you a cleaner look.
Before you start decorating, take a step back and look at your kitchen as a whole.
If you have a modern kitchen, you might find that little or no decor looks best.
If your style is farmhouse, traditional, or rustic, you can use baskets, pottery, or greenery to make the space feel more inviting.
You should also keep cleaning in mind. The space above your cabinets can collect dust, so you might want to choose a few larger pieces instead of lots of small decorations.
You don’t need to fill every inch. When you keep the display simple and thoughtful, your kitchen will always look better than if you overcrowd the space.
What to Put Above Kitchen Cabinets
You should choose decorations that match your kitchen instead of filling the space with random items.
You can use large woven baskets, ceramic vases, decorative bowls, wooden cutting boards, artwork.
Or faux plants because they will add texture and personality without making the space feel busy.
If you stick to a few colors and repeat materials like wood, ceramic, or woven baskets, you can keep the display looking connected.
Instead of spreading decorations across every cabinet, you should group them together because that will give you a more natural look.
You should always think about size. A few larger pieces can create much more impact than lots of small decorations.
When you keep it simple, your kitchen will look stylish instead of cluttered.
How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets Without Creating Clutter
You should start with fewer decorations than you think you’ll need. A few larger pieces will almost always look better than lots of small ones.
You can group your items in sets of three and mix different heights to make the display feel more natural and interesting.
Keep your color palette simple, and you should repeat the same materials throughout the arrangement.
Instead of decorating every cabinet section, leave some empty space between each group because it will help your kitchen feel open and balanced.
When you’re finished, step back and look at your kitchen from across the room.
If something feels too busy, you should remove an item instead of adding another.
You’ll usually get the best result when you keep your styling simple.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is filling every inch with decorations.
If you use too many small items, your kitchen could end up looking messy instead of stylish.
You should use a few larger pieces because they’ll be easier to notice and much easier to clean.
Another mistake is choosing decor that doesn’t match your kitchen style. If you have a modern kitchen, farmhouse signs might not look right.
If your kitchen is rustic, sleek decor could feel out of place. You should also avoid items that can collect too much dust or become difficult to clean.
Remember, your decorations should improve your kitchen, not overwhelm it. When you keep things simple, you’ll usually get the best results.
Above Kitchen Cabinet Ideas for Every Style
Your decorations should match the style of your kitchen. If you have a modern kitchen, you can keep things simple with vases, artwork, and neutral colors.
If your kitchen has a farmhouse style, you should use woven baskets, wooden cutting boards, vintage pitchers, and greenery to create a warm, welcoming look.
If your kitchen feels more rustic, you can decorate with aged wood, lanterns, and earthy accents.
If you love a French country style, ceramic pitchers, olive branches, and soft neutral colors will work beautifully.
Traditional kitchens can look even better with matching pottery or other classic decorative pieces.
Whatever your style, you should repeat similar colors and materials throughout your display.
When everything works together, your kitchen will feel more intentional and beautifully put together.
How to Match Decor With Your Cabinet Height
The space above your kitchen cabinets won’t be the same in every home, so you shouldn’t decorate it the same way.
If you have a small gap, you can keep it simple or just leave it empty. If you have a medium gap, you can use baskets, vases, or artwork.
When you have a larger gap, you can add taller pieces and layered displays.
If you decorate based on the space you have, your kitchen will feel balanced instead of overcrowded.
Should You Use the Space for Storage?
The area above your kitchen cabinets can also be useful if you don’t want to use it only for decoration.
You can store items that you use occasionally, like serving platters, holiday dishes, cake stands, or extra baskets.
You should avoid keeping everyday items there because they can be harder to reach and might collect dust more quickly.
If everything matches, your storage can look just as stylish as your decor.
Easy Tips to Keep Above Cabinet Decor Looking Good
Once you’ve decorated above your cabinets, you can keep everything looking fresh with just a little maintenance.
You should dust your decorations every few weeks and wipe them down whenever needed.
If you choose easy-to-clean materials like ceramic, glass, metal, or woven baskets, you’ll have a much easier time than if you use delicate fabrics.
When you feel like changing things up, you can swap a few pieces with the seasons instead of replacing the whole display.
That way, your kitchen will stay updated with very little effort.
Conclusion
Decorating above your kitchen cabinets is all about creating balance. You don’t have to fill every empty space to make your kitchen look beautiful.
If you choose a few pieces that match your kitchen’s style, you can make the whole room feel more finished without adding clutter.
Whether you decide to use baskets, greenery, artwork, or functional storage, you should keep the display simple and easy to maintain.
You can use these tips as a guide, then add your own personal touch to create a kitchen that feels warm, stylish, and truly yours.
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