How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets: Easy Ideas

Sure, here is a blog post about decorating the top of kitchen cabinets.

Can you decorate the top of kitchen cabinets? Yes, absolutely! Decorating the top of kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to add personality, style, and a finished look to your kitchen. It’s a often-overlooked space that can transform a plain area into a visually appealing focal point.

The space above kitchen cabinets, often called the “kitchen cabinet soffit” or simply the “top of the cabinets,” can be a challenging area to decorate. Dust can gather quickly, and it’s easy to go overboard and make the space look cluttered. However, with a few thoughtful touches, you can turn this often-neglected area into a stylish extension of your kitchen’s overall design. This guide will explore various easy and effective ways to decorate the top of your kitchen cabinets, covering everything from practical storage solutions to purely aesthetic displays.

How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets
Image Source: caitlinmariedesign.com

Why Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?

Decorating the top of kitchen cabinets offers several benefits:

Adds Personality: It’s a chance to showcase your style and interests.
Completes the Look: It ties the cabinets into the rest of the room, making the kitchen feel more cohesive.
Visual Interest: It draws the eye upwards, making the kitchen feel larger and more dynamic.
Storage Solutions: In some cases, it can provide practical storage.
Masks Imperfections: It can hide minor wall imperfections or the top edge of the cabinets themselves.

Essential Considerations Before You Decorate

Before you start placing items, think about these key points:

Ceiling Height: How high are your cabinets? Very high spaces might be best left simpler to avoid looking sparse or overwhelming.
Cabinet Style: Are your cabinets modern, traditional, rustic, or shaker style? Your decor should complement this.
Kitchen Style: Is your kitchen minimalist, farmhouse, eclectic, or something else? The decor should match the overall theme.
Dust Factor: Items placed here will collect dust. Consider how easy they will be to clean or if you prefer low-maintenance options.
Proportion and Scale: Don’t overcrowd the space. Choose items that are appropriately sized for the area.
Safety: Ensure anything you place is secure and won’t easily fall, especially if you have children or pets.

Easy Kitchen Cabinet Decor Ideas

Here are some simple and effective ways to style the top of your kitchen cabinets:

1. Greenery Galore: Bring Nature Indoors

Plants add life, color, and a touch of freshness to any space, and the top of your cabinets are no exception.

Faux Plants: For a low-maintenance option, choose high-quality faux plants. Trailing plants like faux pothos or ivy can cascade beautifully. Faux succulents or small potted trees also work well. Look for realistic options to make the display more convincing.
Real Plants (with Caution): If you have good natural light and are diligent with watering, real plants can be lovely. Consider low-light tolerant plants like snake plants or ZZ plants. Ensure they are in pots with drainage or use saucers to protect your cabinets.
Vary Heights: Mix taller plants with shorter ones for visual interest. Place a taller plant on one end and a cluster of smaller pots on the other.

Display Ideas for Kitchen Cabinets with Plants:

Place a single, striking faux fiddle-leaf fig in a stylish planter on one side.
Group a few small ceramic pots with succulents or air plants together.
Use a tiered plant stand to create height and depth.

2. Artful Displays: Showcase Your Style

The tops of cabinets are perfect for displaying decorative items that reflect your personal taste.

Ceramics and Pottery: Vintage vases, decorative bowls, or uniquely shaped pottery can add a touch of artistry.
Artwork: Small framed prints or abstract sculptures can bring a gallery feel to your kitchen.
Decorative Boxes: Stylish decorative boxes can add color and pattern, and sometimes offer hidden storage for lighter items.
Themed Collections: If you collect something, like vintage tins or colorful glass bottles, this is a great place to show them off.

Tips for Artful Displays:

Color Coordination: Choose items that complement your kitchen’s color scheme.
Texture Play: Mix different textures, like smooth ceramic with rough wood or metallic elements.
Asymmetrical Balance: Don’t feel the need to place items symmetrically. An asymmetrical arrangement can often be more visually dynamic.

3. Kitchen Cabinet Accessories: Practicality Meets Style

You can also use the space above your cabinets for functional yet decorative items.

Baskets and Bins: Woven baskets or stylish bins can hold lighter, less frequently used items like extra napkins, seasonal decorations, or even cookbooks. This is a great way to incorporate above cabinet storage.
Decorative Trays: A sleek tray can hold a small grouping of items, keeping them contained and looking intentional.
Lighting: Consider battery-operated LED strip lights or puck lights to illuminate your display or add ambient lighting. This can create a warm glow in the evening.

Kitchen Cabinet Accessories to Consider:

Accessory	Material	Best Use
Woven Baskets	Seagrass, Rattan	Lightweight items, linens, decorative filler
Metal Bins	Galvanized Steel, Black Metal	Kitchen gadgets, small cookbooks
Decorative Trays	Wood, Metal, Mirrored	Grouping small decorative items
LED Lights	LED	Ambient lighting, highlighting decor

4. Architectural Elements: Adding Sophistication

For a more integrated look, consider architectural elements that enhance the cabinets themselves.

Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding: This is a classic way to finish the top of cabinets. It adds a polished, custom look and can make your cabinets appear taller. There are various styles, from simple stepped molding to more elaborate profiles.
Recessed Lighting: If your cabinets are tall enough, consider adding recessed lighting under the soffit or along the top edge to cast a beautiful downward glow.
Painted or Wallpapered Soffit: If you have a soffit (the space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling), consider painting it a contrasting color or applying wallpaper to make it a design feature.

5. Seasonal Touches: Keep it Fresh and Fun

The top of your cabinets are a perfect spot to update your decor throughout the year.

Spring: Light colors, floral motifs, faux or real spring blooms.
Summer: Beach-themed items, vibrant colors, nautical elements.
Autumn: Pumpkins, gourds, fall foliage, warm hues.
Winter: Twinkling lights, ornaments, evergreen sprigs, festive colors.

Tips for Seasonal Decorating:

Rotate Items: Swap out items seasonally to keep your kitchen feeling fresh.
Subtle Touches: You don’t need to go overboard. A few well-chosen pieces can make a big impact.

Styling Kitchen Cabinet Tops: Common Approaches

Let’s dive deeper into different ways to approach decorating kitchen cabinet tops based on popular styles.

1. The Minimalist Approach

Less is definitely more here. The goal is clean lines and curated items.

What to Use: A single, sculptural vase, a small, elegant plant in a minimalist pot, or a simple, framed piece of abstract art.
Color Palette: Neutrals, black, white, and muted tones.
Key Principle: Each item should be chosen for its form and its ability to complement the space without adding visual clutter. Avoid busy patterns or too many small items.

2. The Farmhouse/Rustic Vibe

This style embraces warmth, natural materials, and a touch of vintage charm.

What to Use: Galvanized metal pitchers, ceramic stoneware crocks, wooden crates or dough bowls, woven baskets, greenery (real or faux), or vintage signs.
Color Palette: Whites, creams, browns, natural wood tones, and subtle greens.
Key Principle: Focus on texture and natural materials. Items should feel authentic and lived-in. Kitchen cabinet decor in this style often includes practical items that also look good, like attractive canisters or old milk jugs.

3. The Modern Eclectic Look

This style is all about personality and mixing different elements.

What to Use: A mix of modern art, vintage finds, colorful ceramics, quirky sculptures, and plants.
Color Palette: Can be bold and varied, or a mix of neutrals with pops of bright color.
Key Principle: Be brave and mix and match! The key is to ensure there’s a common thread, whether it’s a color palette, a shape, or a theme. This is where kitchen cabinet shelf styling can get really creative.

4. The Traditional Elegance

This approach leans towards classic, timeless pieces.

What to Use: Gilded vases, ceramic urns, framed botanical prints, crystal accents, or a cluster of elegant candlesticks.
Color Palette: Rich jewel tones, metallics (gold, brass), and classic neutrals.
Key Principle: Focus on quality and refined design. Items should have a sense of grandeur without being overwhelming. This is where kitchen cabinet accessories like decorative finials or elegant finials for kitchen cabinet crown molding can fit in.

Practical Tips for Top of Cabinet Styling

Beyond choosing your decor, how you arrange it is crucial.

The Rule of Three: Grouping items in odd numbers (typically three) is often more visually appealing than even numbers.
Vary Heights and Depths: Place taller items in the back or on the sides, and shorter items in the front or middle. This creates dimension.
Negative Space: Don’t fill every inch. Allow for empty space, also known as negative space, to let your chosen items breathe and stand out.
Consider the View: Think about how the area will look from different parts of the kitchen and other rooms that view into the kitchen.
Cleanliness is Key: Regularly dust and clean your decorative items and the cabinet tops.

Elevating Your Kitchen with Kitchen Backsplash Ideas

While we’re talking about cabinet tops, it’s worth noting that a beautiful kitchen backsplash can also greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen, drawing the eye downwards and complementing the upper cabinet decor. Consider backsplashes that offer a pop of color, an interesting texture, or a unique pattern to tie your kitchen design together.

Display Ideas for Kitchen Cabinets – A Closer Look

Let’s break down some specific display ideas for different cabinet configurations.

Tall Cabinets vs. Standard Cabinets

Tall Cabinets: If your cabinets extend to the ceiling, you have more vertical space to play with. Consider a taller, more statement-making piece, or a collection of items arranged vertically.
Standard Cabinets with a Gap: This is the most common scenario. Here, focus on items that are proportionate to the space. A cluster of 2-3 items often works well.

Cabinets with Soffits vs. No Soffits

With Soffits: The soffit itself can be a decorative element. You can paint it, wallpaper it, or use it as a base for displaying items. Sometimes, soffits have a small ledge perfect for resting items.
Without Soffits (Cabinets to Ceiling): In this case, the top surface of the cabinet is your display area. Ensure your items are securely placed and consider the visual impact of how the cabinets meet the ceiling.

Kitchen Cabinet Decorations: What to Avoid

To ensure your kitchen cabinet decor is successful, here are a few things to steer clear of:

Overcrowding: Too many items will make the space look messy and cluttered.
Heavy Items: Avoid placing very heavy items that could damage the cabinets or be a safety hazard.
Dust Magnets: Be mindful of items that are particularly difficult to clean.
Things That Don’t Fit Your Style: Even if an item is trendy, if it doesn’t align with your kitchen’s overall aesthetic, it will likely look out of place.
Items Requiring Constant Maintenance: Unless you love to tinker, opt for decor that is relatively low-maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How high should decorative items be on kitchen cabinets?

There’s no strict rule, but items should be proportional to the space. For standard cabinets with a gap of 18-24 inches, aim for items that are roughly 6-12 inches tall. For taller spaces, you can go larger. The key is visual balance.

Q2: Can I put real plants on top of kitchen cabinets?

Yes, but with caution. Ensure the plants have good drainage and are placed on a tray or waterproof mat to protect your cabinets from water damage. Also, consider the light levels and your ability to water them regularly. Faux plants are a safer, lower-maintenance alternative.

Q3: What is the best way to clean items on top of kitchen cabinets?

Regular dusting is essential. For decorative items, use a soft cloth or a duster with an extendable handle. For plants, wipe down leaves with a damp cloth. For baskets, a gentle brush or vacuum attachment can work. Always ensure items are dry before placing them back.

Q4: Should I match my decor above cabinets to my kitchen backsplash?

It’s not mandatory, but coordinating your decor with your kitchen backsplash ideas can create a more cohesive look. You can echo colors, textures, or styles from your backsplash in the items you choose for the top of your cabinets.

Q5: What if my cabinets are very close to the ceiling?

If there’s very little space, you might opt for very minimal decor, such as a single slim vase or a small piece of art. Alternatively, focus on enhancing the cabinets themselves with kitchen cabinet crown molding or subtle lighting. Sometimes, less is more, and a clean, unadorned look is best.

Q6: How can I incorporate lighting above my kitchen cabinets?

Battery-operated LED strip lights or puck lights are a popular and easy option. You can adhere them to the underside of the cabinets or along the top edge. Some people opt for more permanent wired lighting, which is best done during a kitchen renovation.

Decorating the top of your kitchen cabinets is a rewarding way to personalize your kitchen. By considering your space, style, and a few simple principles, you can transform this overlooked area into a beautiful and inviting feature. Happy decorating!