Kitchen decorating ideas above cabinets: The kitchen is the heart of your home, and the space you decorate can change how your house feels.
Another opportunity for an overlooked style is the space above your kitchen cabinets.
This area, ranging from many dusts, can be turned into a magnificent showcase that is part of the beauty of your kitchen.
From modern to rustic, the possibilities for decorating above kitchen cabinets are truly endless. In this article, we’re going over stylish and creative ideas that can take your kitchen décor to the next level.
Why Decorate Over Kitchen Cabinets?
There are multiple reasons why the space above kitchen cabinets should be decorated. For one, it fills a blank and rather boring space that would otherwise be void of anything interesting visually — bringing height to your kitchen.
This little addition gives the kitchen a more complete and intentional look, rather than leaving an empty gap that can seem at best neglected.
The space above the cabinets is also great for showing off your personality and style. From chic and sophisticated to warm and rustic, you can modify the space to complement your home’s more oversized aesthetic.
Now, let’s get a little more into what kitchen cabinets can hold, tending to greenery and artwork, plenty of baskets, decorative jars, and seasonal displays.
Stylish Decorating Ideas for Above Kitchen Cabinets
Maximizing Storage in Galley Kitchens
Use Faux or Real Plants
Plants are a simple way to inject life into any room, and the real estate above your kitchen cabinets is no exception. Opt for a combination of natural or faux plants based on your desire to maintain the former. Natural plants can offer fresh air, but faux plants require no effort and are available in a limitless array of styles and generations.
Combine Various Kinds of Greenery
So many different types of greenery change it up. Bring together tall, leafy plants with trailing vines for a striking mix. If you’re looking for a subtler aesthetic, succulents, herbs, and other small potted plants work great. Choose planters in shiny metallic finishes or rustic terracotta pots for a more contemporary vibe and farmhouse look.
Frame Your Favorite Prints
Art is a great way to personalize the space above kitchen cabinets. Hang your favorite prints or illustrations in a frame to add personality to the space: food-related art, abstract paintings, or a series of black-and-white photos for a more traditional touch. Unifying the frames by color or material will help give a cohesive look.
Lean or Hang Artwork
For a more laid-back and casual vibe, prop frames against the wall above cabinets. This will help to make the room less formal and more welcoming. Or, if space permits, hanging pieces of art can help create another layer to the overall design of a kitchen.
Baskets and Woven Textures: The Rustic Appeal
Storage and Decoration with Baskets
Baskets are a multi-purpose decorating option, especially if you want a rustic or farmhouse-style kitchen. They bring texture and warmth to the room and can also provide storage.
Utilize a mix of sizes and shapes to make an aesthetically pleasing display. Woven baskets can be great for storing linens, napkins, or little kitchen items you want to keep handy but out of sight.
Choose Natural Materials
Choose baskets of natural materials such as wicker, rattan, or seagrass. These bring an organic touch to the kitchen, making it warm and welcoming. If you prefer a contemporary look, opt for monochrome baskets, such as black or white.
Layout Adjustments to Improve Flow
Opt for Glass Jars for Vintage Aesthetics
Make use of glass jars and containers, also touted to be eye-catching. Stuff them with dried pasta, grains, or baking supplies for a vintage, old-world look. Because you can see what’s inside clear glass, these jars are an excellent way to keep your kitchen organized. If your jars are not the same shape and size, label them to give them a more finished look!
Add some colorful or textured jars.
For a burst of color, opt for ceramic jars in vibrant colors that complement the hues of your kitchen. For some depth, you can also look for jars with varied textures or metallic surfaces. Cluster them in threes or fives for a pleasing balance — varying heights for added visual interest.
Embrace Seasonal Decor: Change It Up Throughout the Year
Swap Decor with the Seasons
Seasonal decorations are also a fun way to keep the space above your cabinets fresh and up-to-date. In the fall, you would add pumpkins, autumn leaves, or warm-hued floral arrangements. Use greenery, like pine branches, miniature wreaths, or twinkling fairy lights, for winter to add a cozy, festive vibe. Spring and summer allow you to decorate with lighter and brighter decor: flowers, pastels, or shells/ driftwood for a beachy look.
Simple and Elegant Decor
Although going all-out with seasonal decor can be tempting, less is usually more. Avoid a cluttered look by keeping decorations simple and in line with the rest of the kitchen’s design. Opt for a color palette that brings out the existing hues in your kitchen to create a smoother seasonal transition.
What to Watch: Selecting the Perfect Style
Modern Minimalist
Less is more for a fresh and contemporary aesthetic. Think minimalistic with crisp lines, neutral tones, and carefully selected statement pieces. Consider incorporating black or white metal frames, planters in a metallic finish, or plain glass jars. Be clean — try for a thin, uncluttered look that displays the high points rather than gobs of content.
Rustic and Farmhouse
Warm, earthy tones and plenty of texture suit rustic or farmhouse kitchens. This style incorporates key elements (wooden crates, woven baskets, ceramic jars, and greenery). (Distressed or reclaimed wood items would also work if you’re going for that rustic vibe.) The vibe of this theme is warm, homely, and welcoming for a lived-in house.
Eclectic and Bohemian
Eclectic or Bohemian gives you more creative and individual free rein. Combine varied materials, colors, and textures for an electric look. A vintage item here, a colorful ceramic there, some quirky artwork, and plenty of greenery can help the space feel lively and full of character. Don’t hesitate to add quirky pieces like a vintage sign, an existing lantern, or even a small sculpture for an element of surprise.
How to Achieve a Cohesive Look: Balancing Your Kitchen Decor
Choose a Color Palette
For a cohesive look, select decor above your cabinets that shares a color palette with the rest of your kitchen. This doesn’t have to mean that everything is the same color, but it helps if you choose two or three shades that suit each other. This can help you pick items that work together and use these colors for guidance.
Vary Heights and Textures
Place items of differing heights above your cabinets to create a more dynamic display. Varying heights of vases, jars, baskets, and planters add visual interest.
Adding layers — for example, a combination of wood, metal, glass, or fabric with other elements — gives dimension and depth to a space.
Keep It Balanced
Balance is crucial when decorating above kitchen cabinets. Don’t overcrowd the space; opt for just a few well-curated pieces that speak to your style. Arrange things in odd numbers (threes or fives) for a prettified look. Remember that negative space can sometimes be just as important as what you are decorating with—empty spots can make decorated spaces pop even more.
Don’t Overdo It
It’s easy to go overboard with kitchen cabinet-top decor and fill every inch. Yet, too many things can leave a space cluttered and chaotic. Start with a few key elements, then step back and see what it looks like. Add more if necessary, but keep the general tone light and purposeful.
