Revive Your Kitchen with Decorative and Useful Cabinet Tops

If you're like most homeowners, you probably don't give much thought to the large empty space atop your kitchen cabinets. But this overlooked area is prime real estate for adding visual intrigue to your kitchen in the form of decorative accents and useful storage solutions.

By introducing a mix of elements like baskets, artwork, and greenery to the tops of your cabinets, you can transform the vibe of your kitchen from boring to bold. Clever utilization of this vertical space also allows you to clear counter clutter and maximize every inch of your kitchen.

Best Items for Decorating Cabinet Tops

Baskets

Baskets arelikely one of the most versatile items for decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets. They come in a variety of neutral hues and textures, as well as different shapes and sizes, to coordinate with any kitchen's aesthetic. Use white or natural rattan baskets paired with decorative bows or ribbons for a soft, rustic look. Or go bold with brightly colored textile baskets made from colorful Ankara prints layered atop each other.

Beyond just visually enhancing your kitchen's style, baskets serve the all-important function of keeping items neatly stored and organized. Designate baskets for everything from fruit and onions to cleaning supplies. Just be sure to label each basket so you and other household members know what's inside at a glance.

Vases & Flowers

Fresh floral arrangements instantly lend color, fragrance, and vitality to kitchens. For those lacking a green thumb, faux plants and flowers make excellent low-maintenance stand-ins. Display a bounty of orchids, tulips, or wildflowers in glass vases of various heights lined up in a row. Those opting for false florals should still swap out bouquets every month or so to keep things looking fresh.

If your kitchen leans modern, continue the sleek aesthetic by populating cabinet tops with metallic vases or cylindrical concrete planters housing leafy plants or succulents. Just be mindful of proper sunlight exposure based on the plant varieties you select.

Display Pieces

Turn the top of kitchen cabinets into an elevated display area for treasured dishware, or everyday items so they don't occupy precious counter space. Nestle stacks of appetizer plates, mugs, or dessert bowls in ceramic holders flanked by glass votive candles. The warm glow cast will make your kitchen feel extra cozy after dark. Or keep breakfast essentials like juice glasses, fruit bowls, honey and jam pots, and cloth napkins together for easy access on patterned trays.

Creative Ways to Decorate

Wallpaper

Want to incorporate eye-catching style without committing to a permanent statement? Wallpaper offers tons of patterns to suit varied tastes, and can easily mount on cabinet tops with adhesive. Choose painterly floral blooms, bold geometric prints, or nature-inspired prints featuring butterflies or songbirds depending on your preferred motif. Wallpaper is also great for concealing any uneven gaps that may exist between the top of kitchen cabinets and a ceiling.

Prefer an understated look? Opt for wallpaper sporting inspirational quotes, poetry stanzas, or mantras to channel positive energy as you go about prepping meals and cleaning up.

Chalkboard Paint

Chalkboard paint opens up possibilities for customization, allowing you to frequently change up the messaging scrawled atop your cabinets. Use liquid chalk markers to jot down grocery lists, weekly dinner menus, or reminders so the whole family stays on track. Change up the color chalk you use by season: pastel shades for spring, patriotic red, white and blue for summer, rich jewel tones in autumn and winter.

Chalkboard paint also infuses kitchens vintage character. For contemporary spaces, pair it with trendy brass hardware and edison bulb lighting to prevent the aesthetic from skewing too old-fashioned.

Floating Shelves

While floating shelves seem ubiquitous nowadays, they earn their popularity by providing stylish yet functional storage space, including atop kitchen cabinets. Opt for wooden shelves with a reclaimed look, accented by visible knots and natural grain. Or go for sleek glass or metro shelves that seemingly disappear, maintaining the illusion of books or vases levitating in midair.

Use floating shelves to stage an artful stack of colorful cookbooks you regularly reference when cooking. Or create a living pantry to store bulk goods like flour, sugar and spices so they don't take up shelf space below. Just be mindful not to overload shelves with heavier items that could compromise their structural integrity.

Wine Glass Holders

Wine drinkers listen up! Installing wine glass holders above kitchen cabinets keeps stemware conveniently nearby for impromptu gatherings and perfectly stored between uses. Plus, their elevated positioning keeps fragile glassware safely out of reach from pets and kids prone to accidents and breakage. Choose between metal holders with graceful curves to display the bowl and stems of glasses, or sleek ledged racks well-suited to grasp wine glasses by their bases. Either option can mount directly onto cabinet tops with minimal installation work required.

Artwork & Photographs

For those that crave a personalized focal point without clutter, hanging artwork or photographs above kitchen cabinets keeps things visually interesting while sharing glimpses into your life story. Display an assortment of family photos documenting favorite memories and milestones you've celebrated in the kitchen throughout the years. Or pick kitchen-centric prints featuring fruit, vegetables, herbs and recipe ingredients favored by your household.

Don't overlook this vertical space when showcasing kids' colorful art and school projects either. Their creativity deserves celebrating, even if the refrigerator can't contain any more masterpieces!

Design Considerations

While the decorative possibilities for tops of kitchen cabinets may seem endless, there are some key factors worth considering before embarking on a project.

Take stock of your kitchen's dimensions, including ceiling height. If your kitchen is particularly small, opt for lightweight accents that don't overwhelm the compact footprint, or stick to decorating only upper cabinets so the room doesn't feel too crowded. Conversely, if dealing with soaring 10+ foot ceilings, embrace substantial pieces that hold their own.

Also evaluate your existing color scheme and kitchen style to choose accents that feel cohesive. For example, farmhouse kitchens tend to look best with wood and wicker textures, while modern spaces set the ideal stage for concrete, marble and glass decorative objects.

Most importantly, think about ease of access. Use a step stool or small ladder to comfortably reach cabinet tops without precariously teetering on countertops. Command hooks also come in handy for hanging lighter decor items like artwork, or faux vines and plants, from the undersides of cabinets rather than placing directly on top.

With a dose of creativity and dash of elbow grease, it's simple to transform the formerly forgotten tops of kitchen cabinets into captivating focal points. Embellish with everyday dishware and linens to amplify functionality and free up storage space below. Introduce personalized memorabilia, layered textures and nature's beauty through plants and flowers for visual drama.

Allow this blank canvas to spark inspiration for your own unique kitchen vision. Approach the process with an open mind, and don't be afraid to experiment with different decorative styles until settling on an arrangement that brings you joy. Once finished, be prepared for an entirely new energy and sense of character that permeates your cooking space.