Refresh Your Kitchen With These Brilliant Above Cabinet Decorating Ideas
The space above your kitchen cabinets often gets overlooked when it comes to decorating. But this blank canvas is ripe with possibility to add visual intrigue to your kitchen! With a little creativity, you can transform this forgotten real estate into a stylish design feature that makes your kitchen pop.
From bold wallpaper to pendant lighting, there are endless ways to decorate the area above your cabinets. These brilliant techniques will help you reimagine this unused space and take your kitchen decor from bland to spectacular.
Choose an Accent Color
One easy way to draw attention to the space above your cabinets is to paint it a different color than the lower kitchen walls. Choosing a bold, contrasting color for this upper wall makes it stand out and creates separation from the cabinets below.
An accent wall color, like deep blue or vibrant orange, looks especially striking against bright white upper cabinets. For a more subtle look, try painting the wall above cabinets in a lighter tint of your lower wall color.
Aim for colors that complement the overall kitchen scheme without clashing. Tie it all together by picking up the accent color in other decor elements like bar stools or dishware for a pulled-together look.
Add a Bold Wallpaper
Using wallpaper above your kitchen cabinets makes a decor statement and provides an easy way to inject color, texture and pattern. Choose a print that reflects your style, from graphic geometrics to floral and everything in between.
Removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper allows you to switch up the look as often as you want. Consider washable vinyl papers that can stand up to kitchen grease and moisture. Place patterned paper above a bank of cabinets or behind the stove to create a focal point.
Install Decorative Panels
Another way to spice up your wall space is by installing decorative panels. Options like metal, barnwood, or embossed glass panels create visual texture and interest. This streamlined, architectural look pairs well with contemporary kitchen designs.
Wooden panels can warm up a modern space, while sleek metal brings an industrial edge. Use panels above cabinets or along an entire wall to create a striking focal point. Hire a pro for perfect cutouts and placement, or DIY with pre-cut panels.
Create an Artistic Statement Ceiling
Your kitchen decorating doesn't have to stop at the tops of your cabinets. Bring your eye upwards by embellishing the ceiling above your cabinets to create an artistic statement.
Installing medallions, elaborate crown molding, beams or other architectural details transforms your ceiling into a decorative focal point. Feeling extra inspired? Paint your ceiling in an ornate mural, geometric pattern or ombre effect.
Just take care with kitchen grease and moisture, which can deteriorate painted or papered ceilings quicker. Focus embellishments over appliance-free spaces like an island, bar or dining area.
Display Collections Creatively
Show off your favorite dishware, cookbooks or other kitchen collections in the space above your cabinets. Floating shelves, glass-front cabinets and open ledges give you a place to display items decoratively.
Stagger shelves at different heights for lots of storage and style. Try finishing open shelves in a tone that contrasts with your cabinetry to make them pop. Rotate items seasonally for an ever-changing display.
Add Pendant Lighting
Stylish pendant lights do double duty, providing both visual interest and useful task lighting. Cluster a few pendants above a kitchen island or sink area to create an eye-catching focal point.
From sleek and modern to vintage-inspired, choose pendant styles that fit your kitchen's vibe. Opt for adjustable length cords for optimal placement. Above-cabinet lighting casts a warm glow for prepping meals and adds ambiance.
Incorporate Tiles or Textured Materials
Use materials with interest and texture on your above-cabinet walls. Tin or faux metal backsplash tiles lend vintage character. Shiplap planks create depth and dimension. Peel-and-stick options make DIY installation easy.
Concrete, brick or stone veneers add earthy organic flair. Just be mindful of grease and moisture with porous materials. Focus textural feature walls away from high-splatter zones. Proper sealing is key for durability.
Use Mirrors to Reflect and Enlarge Space
Strategically placed mirrors create the illusion of a larger, brighter kitchen. Mirrored panels above cabinets double the light and visually expand the space. Opt for durable tempered glass that will resist humidity and heat.
You can also wallpaper the wall above cabinets with a mirrored pattern for amplified reflections. Keep surfaces smudge-free and avoid placing mirrors behind cooking zones prone to splatter.
Display Meaningful Art and Photography
Take your decor in a more personal direction by hanging art, photos or other meaningful pieces above cabinets. Frame special mementos or choose artwork and photography that reflects your style.
Floating ledges create quick DIY display space. Opt for pieces in colors that coordinate with your kitchen's palette for a cohesive look. Change it out seasonally to keep your style feeling fresh.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating and enhancing the often underutilized space above your kitchen cabinets. With creativity and these brilliant techniques, you can give this blank canvas a starring role in your kitchen's style story.
From eye-catching lighting to textural tiles, make a statement and refresh your decor by finally showing this overlooked area some love. We hope these innovative ideas have inspired you to look up and transform the space above your cabinets into a design focal point that takes your kitchen decor from basic to beautiful.