Tired of Bland Cabinets? Liven Your Kitchen With These Decorating Tips
If your kitchen cabinets are looking lackluster, don't despair. With a few simple decorating tricks, you can easily transform those humdrum cabinets into a stunning focal point that expresses your personal style.
Decorating the previously overlooked tops of your kitchen cabinets adds visual interest to your kitchen, while also allowing you to highlight your decorating aesthetic. Read on for clever tips to makeover your cabinet tops from blah to beautiful.
Assess Your Cabinet Tops Before Decorating
First, take some measurements of the flat surface area on top of your wall cabinets. Note the depth from front to back and the vertical distance between the cabinets and ceiling. This will give you an idea of the scale you're working with.
Also, evaluate what's already up there. Are there existing decor items you want to work around or replace? Take stock of lighting fixtures, ductwork or other practical elements that impact the usable decorative space.
Determine Your Decorating Style and Budget
Consider your overall kitchen decor style. Do you lean toward modern and sleek or prefer a cozy cottage look? Defining this will help guide your cabinet decor choices. Determine if you're looking for clever DIY options or want to invest in higher end designer pieces.
Spend time gathering inspiration from sites like Pinterest or home decor magazines. Curate ideas that reflect colors, textures and styles you're attracted to. This will help you hone in on pieces that complement your kitchen design.
Creative Ways to Show Off Your Style
Once you've evaluated your space and defined your vision, it's time for the fun part - selecting stylish decor!
For a polished look, install discreet under-cabinet lighting . Illuminating your pretty displays creates an inviting ambiance in your kitchen. Or make a bold statement by hanging a sparkling pendant light centered above your cabinets.
Tell a visual story with a collage-style gallery wall spanning your cabinet tops. Frame a collection of art prints, photos or botanical illustrations in complementary colors and sizes.
Anchor the space with an eye-catching statement piece like an oversized clock, gleaming brass sculpture or colorful mosaic-tiled plant stand.
If your cabinets don't extend all the way to the ceiling, add handy floating shelves to get even more stylish display real estate. This also helps break up a large blank space.
Finishing Touches and Maintenance
As you curate your cabinet styling, choose items sparingly. Edit down to your favorite decorative objects that reflect your personality and interests. Too many knickknacks or fake flowers can make the space feel cluttered.
Secure any heavy statement pieces with museum putty to prevent toppling accidents. For floating shelves, properly anchor into wall studs.
Dust and clean your cabinet top decor regularly to keep your displays looking their best. Freshen up your look each season by swapping out some decor items.
With the right lighting, shelves and decorative touches, your kitchen's cabinet tops can be completely transformed from boring to beautiful. Show off your unique style by decorating this often overlooked space in creative ways.
FAQ
How do I decorate the tops of very tall cabinets or armoires?
Focus on lightweight decor for hard-to-reach tall cabinet tops. Opt for a few small framed photos, faux succulents or miniature ceramics. Leave the tops of extremely tall cabinets clean and unfinished if safely decorating that space is impractical.
Should I avoid cluttering my kitchen cabinet tops with too many items?
Definitely. Decorating your kitchen cabinet tops is about elevating your space with purposeful, curated pieces - not overwhelming it with clutter. Stick to your favorite items that complement your kitchen's style.
This can be a great option, especially for cabinets near dining areas. A small smart TV or Echo Show allows you to conveniently stream cooking shows and videos or play music while prepping meals and entertaining.