Refresh Your Kitchen: Easy DIY Ideas for Styling Above Cabinets

If you're looking for an easy way to upgrade your kitchen's style, try decorating above your cabinets! This often overlooked space is prime for transforming into an eye-catching focal point that adds character to your culinary space. With a little creativity, styling the tops of your cabinets can take your kitchen from bland to beautiful.

In this post, we'll explore fresh and innovative ideas for decorating over kitchen cabinets to suit any home. From displaying cherished collections to incorporating stylish plants, artwork or shelves, we'll cover clever ways to maximize the potential of this blank canvas. With some simple tips and tricks, you can decorate the tops of your cabinets like a pro - no matter your style or budget.

Choosing Your Decor Style

When decorating any part of your home, having a cohesive style is key for a pulled-together look. Before styling your kitchen cabinet tops, consider the existing design aesthetic. For example, if your kitchen is sleek and modern, choose decor that complements that style. Opt for symmetry, clean lines, and a minimalist look. If your kitchen is all about farmhouse chic, embrace the charming lived-in vibe with distressed wood, galvanized metal, and vintage accessories.

You certainly don't have to match your cabinet decor exactly to your kitchen style - think of it as an opportunity to have some fun with different textures, materials or colors! But in general, choosing decor that feels cohesive with the overall room will result in a polished, intentional look.

Tips for Different Styles

Here are some top tips for decorating above kitchen cabinets to complement popular kitchen design aesthetics:

• Modern: Floating shelves, sleek ceramics, grouped succulents
• Rustic: Galvanized metal buckets, wood crates, green plants
• Farmhouse: Vintage tins, wire baskets, floral art prints
• Eclectic: Collections of various prints, unique pots, candles
• Minimalist: Single large glass vase, small succulent trio, decorative bowl

Displaying Collections

One of the best ways to decorate the space above your kitchen cabinets is with displayed collections and treasured items. For many homeowners, those rarely-used vintage dishware sets, antique pottery pieces, or stacks of beloved cookbooks just don't have a place to shine.

Grab that box of memorabilia and get ready to create an eye-catching arrangement! Aim for an artful composition that looks pleasing to the eye. Mix and match shapes, colors and textures for visual interest. Group items together attractively without appearing cluttered.

Arranging Tips

Follow these tips when curating and styling your collected items above cabinets:

• Edit down to your favorite pieces - don't overcrowd
• Combine items of different heights & widths
• Angling items adds depth
• Repetition ties the arrangement together
• Use risers like blocks or boxes for dimension

Don't be afraid to get creative with your collection displays. Unusual items like metal sieves, cake stands and teacups make fun one-off focal points. For an eclectic look, mix high and low - combine porcelain figurines with a set of vintage medical journals. The key is creating an eye-catching vignette that sparks joy.

Incorporating Artwork

Hanging art above kitchen cabinets is a great way to add visual interest while personalizing the space. For many homeowners, this often-overlooked area provides the ideal blank canvas to exhibit artwork and make a design statement.

Paintings, prints, canvas pieces, and photos all make excellent choices for above cabinet displays. Go bold with a large singular piece or creative a charming gallery wall with a mix of frames. For a coordinated look, select artwork in similar color palettes or complementary styles.

Tips for Selecting Artwork

• Measure the space to determine ideal art sizes
• Look for pieces that echo kitchen colors
• Black and white art works with any style
• Canvas prints are lightweight & easy to hang
• Repurpose kids' artwork for a personal touch

Don't be overwhelmed if you're not sure where to find art that fits your kitchen. Online prints from sites like Etsy are affordable options. Or display an item you already own - a vintage painting found at a flea market or ceramic piece crafted by a family member. For a charming DIY weekend project, embellish basic frames with ribbon, paint an abstract canvas, or frame pages from a cookbook or sheet music.

Working with Plants and Greenery

Incorporating plants is an organic way to decorate above kitchen cabinets that brings life and vibrancy to the space. Greenery instantly infuses color, texture and a dose of nature into your culinary setting.

Lush hanging plants trailing down from cabinets make a dramatic statement. Succulents, air plants, herbs, and orchids are also ideal choices that thrive in kitchen environments.

Plant Tips

• Trailing ivy or philodendrons do well in low light
• Succulents are low maintenance
• Opt for faux plants if you lack a green thumb
• Match pots to your decor style
• Curate mini gardens by grouping plants

When working with live plants, carefully consider the growing requirements to ensure your greenery remains healthy in the kitchen setting. And don't forget to accessorize your plants to complement your decor scheme - painted ceramic pots or rustic wooden planters work nicely.

If caring for real plants is challenging, faux varieties have gotten incredibly realistic. Silk leaves and high quality plastic greenery mimic live plants while being maintenance free.

Extra Touches and Accessories

For many kitchens, a simple collection display, large piece of art, or row of verdant plants is all that's needed to beautifully decorate cabinet tops. But if you want to take your decor further, accessories and additional touches can add striking details.

Floating shelves are great for both displaying and storing items. Try topping shelves with ceramic vases, rustic wood crates, or cozy candles to build up your decor. For a different texture, add baskets woven from seagrass or rattan.

If your style is minimalist, keep it simple. Opt for an uncluttered look with just one or two decorative objects like a ceramic vase and bowl. The minimal composition will keep the space feeling clean and airy.

Finishing Touches

• Attach LED strip lighting for a warm glow
• Add a valance for a decorated ledge
• Try open shelving for extra storage
• Molding offers built-in framing
• Repurpose old shutters or salvaged wood

For a truly finished kitchen, consider adding molding, trimwork or open shelving when remodeling. Valances offer dust-catching staging space while creating a more built-in look. Decorative end panels on peninsula cabinets build visual interest. Final touches like pendant lights or under-cabinet lighting help highlight your displays.

Decorating with Space Limitations

Dealing with awkward spaces or small kitchens? Have no fear - you can still decorate above cabinets, even with limited square footage. The key is getting creative and finding the right small-scale decor solutions.

For narrow areas, floating shelves add vertical storage and display space. Mini collections, like a tiny gathering of bud vases, keep the look light. Single larger art pieces prevent clutter. And don't overlook the power of a well-placed lighting element, like pendant lights, to make a statement.

Tips for Small Spaces

• Try a long floating shelf to maximize space
• Paint cabinets a contrasting color for pop
• Incorporate one larger focal point item
• Use lighter or transparent objects like glass or tin
• Opt for slender ledges vs. chunky shelves

If you're working around existing elaborate crown molding or other obstructions, adapt your approach. Shallow floating ledges pop out from embellished areas for displaying items. Collections can be staggered diagonally working with the angles of pitched ceilings. When in doubt, embrace the uniqueness and find creative ways to enhance - not cover up - any special architectural details.

Styling Different Cabinet Configurations

While many kitchens have rows of upper cabinets perfect for filling with decor, not all cabinetry lends itself to display space. From single cabinets to open shelving, you can embellish all types of kitchen cabinets with a bit of know-how.

Single Upper Cabinets

Anchor single full-height cabinets by topping with an asymmetric arrangement. Place your tallest item on one side to give height. Angling items adds interest versus just lining up horizontally. For small single cabinets, limit yourself to three items or fewer.

Open Shelving

Open shelving already functions as a display, so decorate sparingly. Aim for a clean look - accessorize with just one or two items per shelf like a gleaming coffee pot or trailing ivy plant. Add pops of color with dishware but avoid clutter.

Glass Cabinets

For glass cabinet doors, keep contents edited. Overloading glass fronts appears chaotic. Use dishware and cookware as decor - stack plates in coordinating hues or line up gleaming copper pots. Lighting illuminates contents.

Double Upper Cabinets

Treat the space between two upper cabinets as a building block for your decor scheme. Floating shelves fill the gap while displaying items. Frame the area with molding for a built-in look. Two matching art prints unify the area.

Long Rows of Cabinets

Make the most of a long span of cabinets with varied arrangements. Break up into vignettes - try shelving holding ceramics in one section, a bold painting in the middle, and a trailing plant at the end. Repeat colors to tie together.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

When embarking on any new decorating endeavor, pitfalls and blunders can occur. Steer clear of these common mistakes when decorating above kitchen cabinets:

• Overcrowding shelves and cramming in too many items
• Collecting too much dust and grease due to lack of cleaning
• Placing fragile items or valuables out of secure reach
• Choosing decor that's dwarfed by tall ceilings or too small in scale
• Letting displayed collections appear like messy clutter

Remember that decorating above your kitchen cabinets should simplify and elevate your space, not weigh it down. Edit your collections to highlight your very favorite pieces in curated vignettes. Add height with tall items so your decor has visual impact. Dust regularly to keep grime at bay. Most importantly, embrace your personal style to create an inviting, on-brand kitchen space you'll enjoy.

With a blank canvas like the tops of your cabinets, the possibilities for stylish decor are endless. Whether your taste runs modern, farmhouse or eclectic, this overlooked space presents a fantastic opportunity to add your unique stamp. We hope these innovative ideas and tips have inspired you to look at your kitchen in a whole new way.

Experiment with displaying cherished collections you've been eager to showcase. Liven up your space with the addition of living plants and floral accents. Take a risk on that large statement art piece you've been eyeing for the wall. The ideas covered here are just the beginning.

It's time to give your kitchen a mini makeover by decorating your cabinet tops with pieces that make you smile. Don't be afraid to get creative and express your personal tastes. With a dash of imaginative thinking, you can create a designer-worthy kitchen focal point that transforms the look, feel and function of your cooking space.

11. Utilize Floating Shelves

If you don't want to commit to installing new cabinets or expanding your existing ones, consider adding floating shelves above your kitchen cabinets. This will not only provide additional storage space but also create a visually interesting display area. Use the shelves to showcase decorative items, cookbooks, or plants.

12. Embrace Minimalism

While it's tempting to fill the space above your cabinets with lots of decor, sometimes less is more. A minimalist approach can actually make the space feel more open and airy. Opt for a simple display, such as a single statement piece or a small collection of objects arranged in a symmetrical pattern.

13. Use LED Strip Lights

If you want to add some extra ambiance to the space above your cabinets, consider installing LED strip lights. These can be attached to the underside of the cabinets and will cast a soft glow onto the display below. Not only will this create a dramatic effect, but it will also make it easier to see what's on the shelves at night.

Rather than just decorative items, also consider using the space for frequently used kitchen items. Display often used cookbooks for easy access. Store bulk pantry items like flour, sugar and coffee in matching ceramic canisters. Hang utensil racks or knife blocks. This keeps essentials organized and close at hand while still decorating the area.