How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets Pinterest: Ideas & Tips

How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets Pinterest: Ideas & Tips

Can you decorate the tops of kitchen cabinets? Yes, you absolutely can! Decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets is a fantastic way to add personality, style, and a finished look to your kitchen. Pinterest is a treasure trove of inspiration for this very purpose, offering endless ideas for kitchen cabinet decor ideas. From creating charming vignettes to utilizing kitchen cabinet toppers for a more cohesive look, the possibilities are vast. This guide will delve deep into how to transform that often-neglected space above your cabinets into a stylish focal point, drawing inspiration from the visual brilliance found on Pinterest. We’ll explore above cabinet styling techniques, discuss pantry cabinet decor, and even touch upon open shelf kitchen ideas that complement the overall aesthetic. Get ready to discover decorative kitchen shelves, creative home decor for kitchen cabinets, unique kitchen cabinet display ideas, and practical tips for achieving aesthetic kitchen storage and mastering kitchen cabinet styling tips.

How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets Pinterest
Image Source: i.pinimg.com

Why Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets?

The space above kitchen cabinets, often referred to as the “cabinet void,” is prime real estate that frequently gets overlooked. However, filling this space with thoughtful decor can significantly enhance your kitchen’s overall appeal. Here’s why it’s worth your attention:

Completes the Look: Bare cabinets can make a kitchen feel unfinished. Adding decor creates a sense of completion and intentional design.
Adds Personality: This is your chance to showcase your style, whether it’s rustic, modern, eclectic, or minimalist.
Draws the Eye Upward: Decorating this area can make your kitchen feel taller and more spacious, especially in rooms with standard ceiling heights.
Incorporates Storage (Smartly): While decorative, this space can also be used for practical, yet visually appealing, storage.
Fills an Awkward Gap: It addresses the often-awkward gap between cabinets and the ceiling, preventing dust collection and a stark visual break.

Pinterest’s Best Above Cabinet Decor Ideas

Pinterest is a visual feast, and when it comes to decorating above kitchen cabinets, it offers a wealth of creative solutions. Let’s explore some of the most popular and effective ideas you’ll find there.

1. Greenery: The Touch of Life

Plants, whether real or faux, bring life and color into any space. Above kitchen cabinets, they can soften the lines of the cabinetry and add a natural element.

Trailing Plants: Pothos, ivy, or spider plants cascading over the edge of cabinets create a lush, bohemian feel.
Potted Plants: Small to medium-sized potted plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, or even a collection of succulents can add pops of green.
Faux Plants: For kitchens with limited natural light or for those who prefer low maintenance, high-quality faux plants are an excellent choice. Look for realistic textures and colors.

Tips for Using Greenery:

Consider Light: If using real plants, ensure the area receives adequate natural light.
Watering Access: Think about how you’ll water them. A step stool might be needed, or consider a self-watering planter.
Dusting: Faux plants will still need dusting, so a long-handled duster will be your friend.

2. Collections and Curiosities: Showcasing Your Treasures

This is where your personality truly shines. Displaying items you love can make your kitchen feel more personal and inviting.

Vintage Finds: Old tins, ceramic pitchers, decorative plates, or antique kitchen tools can evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Themed Collections: If you collect ceramic birds, vintage cookbooks, or specific types of pottery, group them together for impact.
Art Pieces: Small sculptures, framed prints, or even decorative masks can add an artistic flair.
Seasonal Decor: Swap out items seasonally – think pumpkins and gourds in the fall, greenery and ornaments in the winter, or colorful flowers in the spring and summer.

Tips for Collections:

Groupings are Key: Display items in groups of three or five for visual balance.
Vary Heights: Use items of different heights to create visual interest and prevent a flat look.
Don’t Overcrowd: Less is often more. A few well-chosen pieces are more effective than a cluttered display.
Color Coordination: Try to coordinate the colors of your collection with your kitchen’s existing palette for a cohesive look.

3. Baskets and Bins: Stylish Storage Solutions

Baskets offer both aesthetic appeal and practical storage, keeping the tops of your cabinets tidy and organized. This is a great approach for aesthetic kitchen storage.

Woven Baskets: Natural materials like wicker, rattan, or seagrass add warmth and texture.
Metal Bins: Galvanized metal or wire baskets can provide an industrial or farmhouse-chic vibe.
Fabric Bins: Soft fabric bins can add a touch of comfort and can be easily coordinated with your kitchen textiles.

Tips for Basket Decor:

Functionality First: Use baskets to store less frequently used items like seasonal cookware, extra linens, or even children’s art supplies.
Uniformity for Calm: Using baskets of the same material and color can create a more serene and organized look.
Mix and Match: If your style is more eclectic, mixing different basket types can also work, provided there’s a unifying element like color or style.

4. Lighting Accents: Illuminating the Space

Adding subtle lighting above your cabinets can create a warm ambiance and highlight your decorative items.

LED Strip Lights: These are easy to install and provide a soft, ambient glow. They can be placed discreetly along the edge of the cabinets.
Battery-Operated Puck Lights: These are a versatile option for illuminating specific decorative pieces without needing electrical wiring.

Tips for Lighting:

Warm White is Best: Opt for warm white bulbs for a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Timer Function: Consider lights with a timer so they automatically turn on in the evening.
Conceal the Source: Ensure the light source itself is hidden from direct view to maintain the aesthetic.

5. Decorative Kitchen Shelves and Risers: Elevating Your Display

Instead of directly placing items on cabinets, consider adding shelves or risers for a more layered look. This is a direct nod to decorative kitchen shelves and kitchen cabinet display ideas.

Floating Shelves: Sleek and modern, floating shelves offer a clean way to display smaller decorative items.
Tiered Risers: These allow you to create a stepped display, making it easier to see items at the back. They are perfect for showcasing a collection of jars, canisters, or small decorative objects.
Wall-Mounted Shelves: If your cabinets don’t extend all the way to the ceiling, you can add wall-mounted shelves above them.

Tips for Shelving:

Scale Matters: Choose shelves and risers that are proportionate to the size of your cabinets and ceiling height.
Secure Installation: Ensure shelves are securely mounted, especially if you plan to place heavier items on them.

6. Mirrors: Creating an Illusion of Space

Mirrors can be a clever way to make your kitchen feel larger and brighter, reflecting light and the decor above your cabinets.

Decorative Mirrors: A beautifully framed mirror can serve as a striking piece of art.
Mirrored Trays: Place decorative items on a mirrored tray for a touch of glamour and to bounce light.

Tips for Mirrors:

Placement is Crucial: Position mirrors to reflect light sources or attractive features in your kitchen.
Cleanliness: Keep mirrors sparkling clean to maximize their reflective qualities.

7. Architectural Elements: Adding Sophistication

For a more integrated and polished look, consider adding architectural details.

Moulding: Adding crown moulding or decorative trim along the top of cabinets can create a custom, high-end look.
Cabinet Toppers: Decorative kitchen cabinet toppers, such as corbels or decorative panels, can enhance the visual appeal.

Tips for Architectural Details:

Match Your Style: Choose mouldings and toppers that complement the existing style of your kitchen cabinetry.
Professional Installation: For more complex additions like crown moulding, consider professional installation for a flawless finish.

Styling Your Kitchen Cabinet Tops: Key Principles

Regardless of the specific items you choose, a few core styling principles will help you achieve a beautiful and cohesive look for your above cabinet styling.

Balancing the Display

Symmetry vs. Asymmetry: Decide if you prefer a perfectly balanced, symmetrical arrangement or a more relaxed, asymmetrical one. Both can be effective.
Visual Weight: Distribute visual weight evenly. Place larger or heavier-looking items closer to the cabinet edges and smaller items towards the back, or create a focal point with a larger piece.
Rule of Odds: Groupings of three or five items often look more appealing than even numbers.

Color Palette and Cohesion

Complement Existing Colors: Your decor should enhance, not clash with, your kitchen’s existing color scheme. Pull colors from your countertops, backsplash, or cabinetry itself.
Create a Theme: Having a loose theme (e.g., farmhouse, coastal, modern) can help you select items that work well together.
Metallic Accents: Brass, copper, or chrome accents can add a touch of sophistication and tie together different elements.

Texture and Material Variety

Mix Textures: Combine smooth, shiny items with rough or natural textures for a more dynamic display. Think a ceramic vase next to a woven basket, or a metal lantern with a glass jar.
Material Harmony: While variety is good, try to stick to a few dominant materials to avoid a chaotic look.

Scale and Proportion

Cabinet Size: The size of your cabinets and ceiling height will dictate the scale of the items you can display. Taller ceilings can handle larger items or more substantial groupings.
Item Size: Use a mix of sizes. A few larger items interspersed with smaller ones create more visual interest than an entire collection of similarly sized objects.

Practical Considerations

Dust and Cleaning: Be realistic about what you can easily clean. Open displays will accumulate dust. Consider how you will maintain your decorations.
Accessibility: If you’re using items you need to access occasionally, ensure they are not too difficult to reach.
Safety: Ensure that any items placed high up are stable and won’t easily fall.

Specific Decor Ideas by Kitchen Style

Pinterest showcases a vast array of styles, and your above-cabinet decor can perfectly align with your kitchen’s overall theme.

Farmhouse Kitchens

Woven baskets: Natural materials are a must.
Galvanized metal: Buckets, pitchers, or trays.
Vintage crockery: Old stoneware, enamelware.
Wooden crates or boxes: Stacked or used as risers.
Faux greenery: Eucalyptus branches, olive branches.
Mason jars: Filled with faux flowers or small decorative items.

Modern Kitchens

Geometric vases: Sleek ceramic or metal designs.
Minimalist sculptures: Abstract shapes in metal or resin.
Clean-lined planters: With succulents or small architectural plants.
Mirrored trays: For a touch of glamour.
Art books or design magazines: Stacked neatly.
Simple glass jars: With white decorative pebbles.

Coastal Kitchens

Seashells and coral: Natural or faux.
Glass floats or bottles: In blues and greens.
Rope accents: Wrapped around vases or baskets.
Driftwood pieces: Natural or painted.
Nautical-themed items: Small anchors, ship wheels.
White or light blue ceramics: Vases or pitchers.

Traditional Kitchens

Ornate vases or urns: Ceramic or metal.
Decorative plates: Hung or displayed on stands.
Heirloom pieces: Antiques or family mementos.
Brass or polished nickel accents: To match hardware.
Floral arrangements: Faux or silk.
Elegant baskets: Woven with finer materials.

Integrating Above Cabinet Decor with Other Kitchen Styling Elements

Your cabinet top decor shouldn’t exist in isolation. It should work harmoniously with other elements in your kitchen for a cohesive and inviting space.

Complementing Open Shelving

If you have open shelf kitchen ideas, the styling above your cabinets can tie into the aesthetic of those shelves.

Similar Color Palette: Use colors that are echoed on your open shelves.
Matching Materials: If your open shelves feature wood, incorporate wooden elements above the cabinets.
Visual Flow: Ensure there’s a visual connection, perhaps by placing a similar decorative item on both the shelves and above the cabinets.

Enhancing Pantry Cabinet Decor

For those with pantry cabinet decor that extends to the top, the principles remain the same.

Uniformity: If you have multiple pantry cabinets, consider a consistent look above each one.
Functional Elegance: Use stylish canisters or baskets that are also functional for pantry items.

Creating Kitchen Cabinet Display Ideas That Flow

When planning your displays, think about how they flow from one cabinet to another, or even from the cabinets to nearby walls or shelves.

Consistent Height: Try to maintain a general height consistency for your main decorative pieces across multiple cabinets.
Focal Points: Create one or two stronger focal points with larger items or more intricate arrangements, and then use simpler decor for the remaining cabinets.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best intentions, decorating above cabinets can present challenges. Here are some common issues and how to solve them.

Kitchen Cabinet Toppers Looking Cluttered

Solution: Edit ruthlessly. Remove any items that don’t contribute to the overall look. Aim for breathing room between items. Use risers to create visual separation.

Not Enough Light Above Cabinets

Solution: Incorporate LED strip lights or battery-operated puck lights. Use mirrors to reflect existing light. Choose lighter-colored decorative items.

Dust Accumulation

Solution: Regularly dust with a long-handled duster or an extendable microfiber wand. Consider using more contained items like closed baskets or glass cloches.

Items Feel Too High or Inaccessible

Solution: If you need to access items, store them in attractive baskets or bins that can be easily pulled down. For purely decorative items, accept that they might be harder to reach for dusting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What kind of items are best for decorating the top of kitchen cabinets?
A1: Good options include plants (real or faux), decorative baskets, collections of items like vintage tins or ceramic pieces, sculptures, mirrors, and LED lighting.

Q2: How do I prevent the space above my cabinets from looking too cluttered?
A2: Focus on a few well-chosen items rather than many small ones. Create visual breathing room between objects, use risers to add dimension, and consider a consistent color palette or theme.

Q3: Can I use real plants above my kitchen cabinets?
A3: Yes, but ensure the area receives adequate sunlight and that you have a plan for watering them without making a mess. Low-maintenance plants are often a good choice.

Q4: What if my cabinets don’t reach the ceiling?
A4: This is a great opportunity! You can add wall-mounted shelves above the cabinets, hang decorative items on the wall, or install crown moulding to create a more finished look.

Q5: How do I clean the items placed above my kitchen cabinets?
A5: A long-handled duster, an extendable microfiber duster, or a vacuum with a brush attachment are useful tools for reaching and cleaning items above cabinets.

By drawing inspiration from Pinterest and applying these styling principles, you can transform the often-neglected space above your kitchen cabinets into a beautiful and intentional part of your home’s decor, elevating your kitchen’s overall aesthetic and showcasing your personal style through carefully curated kitchen cabinet display ideas and aesthetic kitchen storage.