Take Your Kitchen Decor to New Heights with Brilliant Cabinet Top Ideas
The space above your kitchen cabinets offers an often overlooked opportunity to add visual interest and storage. Decorating this empty area between the cabinets and ceiling can take your kitchen decor to new stylish heights.
With some creative thinking and clever styling, you can transform the tops of your cabinets into a focal point that showcases your personal taste. The right combination of shapes, textures, and colors enlivens the space while also hiding away clutter. When thoughtfully styled, your kitchen's upper perimeter can become a place to display treasured dishes or seasonal collections. Or utilize the space for extra storage needs. Whether your goal is elevating your style or maximizing function, cabinet tops present immense possibility.
Choosing Items for Cabinet Top Decor
Before decorating, first assess your cabinet and kitchen specs to select suitable decorative pieces. Measure the depth of your cabinets as well as the height between them and the ceiling. Consider how these dimensions, along with your existing decor, can inform stylistic choices and placement. Also think about how accessible you need the top of the cabinets to be. Opt for purely decorative items if you won't need frequent access. However, if the space will serve as frequently used storage, select durable, low-maintenance pieces.
Assess Your Space
Carefully measuring out the usable space atop your kitchen cabinets is an important first step in planning your decor. Take into account the depth from the wall to the front of the cabinet--shallower cabinet tops limit your options more than deeper ones. Also factor in the distance between the cabinets and the ceiling, as lower ceilings can feel easily crowded by taller decor. Gauge what you have room for based on your cabinet dimensions along with existing decor and lighting fixtures. Having these measurements in mind will help immensely when selecting decor pieces and planning your arrangement.
Usage Frequency
Determine whether the cabinet tops will serve as purely decorative space or if you'll need access to stored items on a regular basis. For cabinet tops used mostly for display, you can indulge decorative objects that would require delicate handling, like crystal vases or ceramic figurines. But if you plan to access items frequently, durable baskets and trays are better suited to wear and tear. Also avoid cluttering the tops of cabinets where contents need routine access. Limit decorative items to those you are content accessing only when conducting deep cleanings or seasonally refreshing your space.
Style for Visual Appeal
When selecting decorative pieces, considering their visual impact is key. Complement your existing kitchen decor by choosing items with finishes, colors, and designs that enhance your current style. Introduce eye-catching textures like nubby wicker baskets or smooth ceramic bowls. Look for unique shapes to intersperse with geometric and rectangular kitchen elements. Combining metal, wood, and ceramic introduces pleasing contrast. For a more modern aesthetic, opt for items with clean lines and solid colors. Or lean traditional with distressed wood and project pieces painted with chic designs.
Guide the Eye
Strategic placement of statement pieces and thoughtful repetition of colors and shapes helps guide the eye pleasingly across your staged cabinet tops. Anchor the arrangement with a few larger items in focal points flanked by smaller accent pieces. Consider height and scale to prevent tall objects from towering disproportionately or wide items that span the entire space. Aim for balance in your decor palette.
Clever Decor Ideas for Kitchen Cabinet Tops
From cozy wicker to gleaming glassware, an array of decorative items can help elevate your kitchen style when artfully displayed atop cabinetry. Here are some ideas for stylish yet functional pieces to inspire you.
Baskets
Woven baskets infuse warmth and texture while conveniently stashing away clutter. Neutral toned rattan blends into any decor, while colorful nesting baskets make a cheerful statement. Baskets in assorted shapes and sizes enable you to corral odds and ends or store fruit in style. For variety, intersperse some ceramic, metal, or wooden baskets.
Plants and Flowers
Bring nature indoors by decorating your cabinets with lush potted greenery and seasonal blooms. Low maintenance succulents and air plants provide living color without demanding care. Trailing vines spill attractively over cabinet edges. And fresh floral arrangements in glass vases add a touch of vibrancy. For variety, mix faux plants and flowers with the real thing.
Display Special Serveware
Show off your best china, serving platters, and glassware in open cabinets or on floating shelves. Not only does this allow you to highlight treasured items, but it also eliminates the need to stash them away inside crowded cabinets. Pretty ceramic bowls, tiered cake stands, and decorative trays all lend style when artfully arranged. Curating a personalized display expresses your taste and personality.
Art, Mirrors, and Shelving
Inject your unique flair into the space with personalized art, including floating shelves holding cherished objects. Mounting small floating shelves above your cabinets creates a perfect perch for displaying plants, decor, or cookbooks. Wall art, from sleek abstract prints to rustic painted signs, also reflects your tastes. And strategically hung mirrors optimize light reflection and the illusion of a larger, brighter space.
Seasonal Touches
Routine styling refreshes help prevent your cabinet top decor from going stale. Swap out some pieces to complement changing seasons and holidays. Spring for floral motifs and Easter eggs; summer for nautical and patriotic touches; fall for pumpkins and gourds; winter for evergreens and candy canes. Get the whole family involved in creating unique seasonal crafts and decorations to display.
Lighting
Proper illumination helps highlight your decorating efforts. Under-cabinet lighting casts a warm glow to accent displays. Tiny fairy lights or a string of Edison bulbs lends a cozy cafe vibe. A decorative sconce anchored over the kitchen sink provides directional task lighting. And an attractive pendant fixture suspended above kitchen islands centers the space while directing light upwards to enhance decor.
With the right lighting and decor combo, your cabinet tops become a focal point rather than just empty space. Maximize impact by selecting pieces in sizes and styles that balance within the parameters of your kitchen. Curate your collection thoughtfully to harmonize with your existing style.
Decorating with Creativity and Restraint
Ample inspiration exists for decorating your kitchen cabinet tops with panache. Avoid clutter by exhibiting creativity and restraint.Cherish the space by displaying only your most beloved items.
Thoughtful Arrangements
Edit your collection to a thoughtful trio or quintet of complementary pieces. Limiting yourself to just a few decorative items prevents visual overload in the confined cabinet top space. Combine baskets and vases made of different but complementary textures and materials for depth. Pay attention to the relative height and size of objects, aiming for pleasing proportion. And remember to leave breathing room between items.
Update Displays
Refresh your displayed pieces periodically to keep your decor looking current. Rotate in different themed items by season. Freshen up the look even more frequently, every few weeks. Don't be afraid to change styles and update your aesthetic. Shopping antique and thrift stores can yield charming finds on a budget.
DIY Options
Your inner crafter can have fun customizing cabinet top decor as well. Spray paint dollar store glassware and trays for an updated modern look with minimal investment. Decoupage or stencil purchased baskets and pots for extra flair. Display your favorite thrifted or inherited servingware for a eclectic, curated look.
The options for elevating your kitchen style with clever cabinet top decor are endless. Use your space thoughtfully by exhibiting decorative restraint and frequently refreshing your look. With creative vision, even the most modest kitchen can be personalized with stylish flair. Your cabinet tops offer clear potential for showcasing your unique taste.
Makeover your kitchen and take decor to new heights by styling the oft-neglected space atop your cabinets. With careful planning and selection of shapes, textures and colors, you can curate eye-catching vignettes that express your personal taste. Cleverly incorporate decorative storage for convenience and organization. Remember to refresh your displays seasonally to prevent a stale look. With creativity and thoughtful editing, your kitchen's upper perimeter can transition from wasted space to a stylish focal point.
Decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets opens up a world of possibilities. Use these brilliant ideas to introduce visual appeal, added storage, and an element of personalized flair. With the right balance of functional decor and stylish embellishments, this overlooked space can finally become the crown jewel of your kitchen.