Cabinet Top Decor Ideas to Complement Your Kitchen Style

If your kitchen cabinets extend all the way up to the ceiling, leaving an empty space above, decorating this overlooked area can help add visual interest and tie your kitchen decor together. The tops of cabinets provide the perfect spot to display cherished items or add pops of color and texture that reflect your personal style.

When decorating the top of your kitchen cabinets, it's important to choose items and arrange them in a way that complements your existing kitchen decor. With some creativity and strategic decorating, you can transform the once barren cabinet tops into an extension of your kitchen's overall aesthetic.

Measure Your Cabinet Tops

Before decorating the tops of your kitchen cabinets, take some measurements to understand the parameters you're working with. Consider the height, depth, and width of your cabinet tops. If the tops are quite high up, larger decor items likely won't be easily visible or appreciated. Conversely, if the tops are lower and within your sightline, you have more freedom with scale and visual impact.

Take notes on the exact dimensions so you can select decor pieces that fit and use the space efficiently. You don't want items that are too large and overpowering or too small and barely visible. Scale and proportion are key for a cohesive look.

Evaluate Your Kitchen's Existing Style

Take a step back and objectively evaluate the overall style and aesthetic of your kitchen. Make notes on the color scheme, finishings, materials, and decorative details that define the space. Identifying these style cues will allow you to choose decor items for your cabinet tops that complement what's already there.

For example, if your kitchen features modern stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, sleek metal and concrete decor accessories will likely enhance the decor. Or, if your kitchen is bohemian and eclectic, an assortment of vintage items could help extend that look upwards.

Color Scheme

Pay close attention to the existing color scheme in your kitchen. If the space features a lot of white, black, and wood tones, bright primary colors probably won't mesh well atop your cabinets. Select decor in the same color family to create cohesion.

Textures and Materials

Note the textures and materials used throughout your kitchen, like granite, marble, or tile backsplashes. Decor items that mirror or complement these textures will help pull everything together. For example, natural woven baskets offer warmth to a sleek, modern space.

Finishes and Hardware

The finish and hardware on your kitchen cabinets offer style clues too. Oil-rubbed bronze or brass finishes point to traditional decor, while matte black hardware has a more modern feel. Incorporate cabinet top decor that works with these details.

Select Decor Items That Enhance Style

Once you've evaluated your existing kitchen decor, use that as a guide for selecting items to populate your kitchen cabinet tops. From color palette to texture, each piece should work in harmony with your overall kitchen style.

Vintage or Decorative Tins

Vintage tins with graphic, retro imagery or decorative tins with patterns make easy cabinet top decor. They introduce color, graphic impact, and nostalgic whimsy. Grouping a collection of tins together creates a gallery-like arrangement. Make sure to wipe tins regularly so they maintain their shine.

Baskets, Boxes, and Crates

Woven baskets or rattan boxes add natural texture and warmth atop kitchen cabinets. Decorative crates and boxes finished in galvanized metal, bamboo, or other materials also work. Use them to hold kitchen linens, serveware, or other supplies.

Everyday Kitchen Items

Repurpose everyday kitchen items as decor to add function. Arrange a stack of beloved cookbooks, a group of shiny copper pans, or colorful dishware. This approach makes decorating cabinet tops easy and affordable.

Plants, Flowers, and Greenery

Plants are a foolproof way to inject life and vibrancy above your cabinets. Opt for low-maintenance varieties like succulents, snake plants, or pothos. Consider creating a mini vertical garden using hanging planters. Fresh flowers or eucalyptus branches also add a pop of color and refreshment.

Arrange Decor Items Artfully

Once you've gathered an assortment of decor items for your kitchen cabinet tops, thoughtfully arrange them for maximum visual appeal. Be sure to step back periodically and evaluate the look as a whole.

Group Similar Items

Group items with something in common, like color, texture, shape, or theme. For example, place all green accents or ceramic pieces together. Grouping establishes neat collections.

Allow for Negative Space

Don't crowd every inch of cabinet top. Allow negative space around and between groupings of items so the eye has place to rest. This creates balance and keeps the look from becoming cluttered.

Mix Heights and Shapes

Create dimension by incorporating items of varying heights and shapes. For example, juxtapose tall vases with shallow trays. Using only items of one shape risks a flat, monotonous look.

Add Pops of Color

Inject color above your cabinets to contrast the cabinet color and add vibrancy. Opt for bright accent pieces like ceramic vases, glass bottles, or colorful cooking utensils. Place a dish of lemons or a bowl of oranges atop cabinets to infuse color and freshness.

If your kitchen features warm wood cabinetry, cool blue and green accents tend to complement nicely. For white cabinets, vibrant pops of primary colors work well. Allow the color story of your kitchen guide your choices.

Coordinating Accents

Incorporate existing accent colors elsewhere in the kitchen for continuity. For example, place pillows or bins in coordinating cabinet top colors on countertops or islands. Repeating colors connects the elements.

Floral Arrangements

Fresh floral arrangements inject a burst of color and vitality. Opt for blooms in tone with your kitchen's color scheme. Reposition arrangements to spots in need of color as blooms fade.

Use Lighting Accents

Lighting can make a big impact above kitchen cabinets. It helps items stand out and provides additional illumination in often dark spaces. Consider one or more of these cabinet top lighting ideas:

Under Cabinet Lighting

LED strip lighting installed under cabinets casts an uplight glow to highlight wall space and decor. Choose warm white lighting to prevent a stark vibe.

String Lights

For playful personality, adorn cabinet tops with draped string lights. Opt for remote-control lights to make turning them on and off easy. Stick with clear bulbs for a versatile look.

Track Lighting and Sconces

Strategically place sleek track lights or decorative sconces above cabinets to accent specific objects or create ambiance. This focused illumination draws the eye upwards.

Consider Practical Storage Options

Don't overlook opportunities for functional storage and organization above kitchen cabinets. Concealed storage helps keep items out of sight but within reach.

Baskets or Bins

Woven baskets or fabric bins are ideal for storing kitchen gear like placemats, linens, or gadgets. They tuck items away but still allow you to access them easily when needed.

Clear Canisters

Clear glass or acrylic canisters are perfect for keeping food staples like flour, sugar, pasta, or coffee visible but sealed. They maintain a streamlined look.

Spice Racks and Knife Blocks

Install floating shelves above cabinets specifically sized for spice racks or knife blocks. This saves precious countertop space while keeping these essentials handy.

Edit and Refresh Decor Over Time

Reassessing your cabinet top decor from time to time helps keep the look curated. As you grow tired of items or styles, rotate in new pieces for a refreshed feel.

Rotate Seasonally

Consider swapping out some decor as the seasons change. For example, display snowy holiday decor in winter months and breezy beach finds in summer.

Remove Clutter Periodically

Clutter can accumulate quickly. Every so often, remove pieces that start to create a messy or overwhelming look. Keep things edited.

Maintain Cohesive Look

While adding new items and removing others, check that collections remain color-coordinated and cohesive. Disparate styles can make the space feel disheveled.

Decorating the often overlooked space atop your kitchen cabinets opens up many possibilities. With careful planning and strategic decor choices that align with your kitchen's existing aesthetic, you can create an extension of your style in what was previously dead space.

Follow basic design principles like grouping, color coordination, and proper scale when populating the tops of your cabinets. Take time to step back and edit when needed. Most importantly, embrace your personal style and have fun with transforming this previously underutilized area into a decorative asset.