You may be considering decorating above kitchen cabinets if you don't have cabinets or cupboards that reach to the ceiling in your home.
After all, the space can look rather blank and bare.
So below I've gathered a few ideas for you, from readers who've chosen decor for above their cabinet tops.
But before we begin to discuss some of these ideas, let's discuss the pros and cons of even putting something in this space.
Pros & Cons Of Placing Decor On Top Of Your Kitchen Cabinets
As I mentioned above, the big pro to decorating this space in your kitchen is to keep it from looking bare.
It's a great out of the way place to show off a bit of your personality, bring together elements of your kitchen to look cohesive, and just have a little fun.
On the other hand, there are some reasons people choose not to place anything up above their cabinets. The first con is convenience.
You better like whatever you place up there because honestly it is a big pain to move around or switch it out with something else later. This isn't to say it can't be done. It can, but it will be a big project because you will most likely need a step ladder or other way to easily reach them. Realistically that means you won't want to deal with it very often.
The second con, and frankly the bigger one, is that this area
gets extremely dusty, and even kind of greasy.
I think we're all familiar with the dusty greasy build up that occurs on your kitchen cabinet faces over time, especially the cabinets closest to the stove.
It's a result of cooking, and it can be a huge pain to clean these cabinets off because that grease is really difficult to remove.
Well, the same thing happens at the top of your kitchen cabinets as well. So that means whatever you put up there will begin to get a greasy dusty build up as well.
So my biggest tip for you is, if at all possible, choose decor that is easily washed. Otherwise whatever you put up there will either eventually be ruined, or at least it will take a LOT of effort to clean it back up.
Therefore, honestly, the decor in the picture above, which includes fake plants, is not ideal. Just imagine having to clean every one of these leaves periodically. Now, this decor isn't too too expensive though, so if you're willing to just completely replace it every once in a while decorative flowers or ivy can be a reasonable decor idea.
Below I've got a couple of ideas for you, from readers, of how they decorate above their cabinets. If you've got pictures and ideas I'd love to hear (and see) them too. You can submit your own ideas here and I'll add the best ones to the page.
I Display My Collection And Switch It Out Seasonally
Karen provided the photo above, stating, "Because my kitchen ceiling slopes, my husband could not build our cabinets to the ceiling.
He covered the in between space with a decorative shelf, which I've decorated with lovely mugs. In winter, I replace the mugs with happy snowmen."
This is a great idea!
First, they added a bit of shelving to the top of the cabinets, since often above the cabinets is an unfinished area.
In addition, the collection she has chosen, well at least the mugs for sure, are washable, making it easier to clean the area.
Changing your decorations out seasonally may be more work than some people want to do, which is fine, but it can be fun if you enjoy that type of thing.
Here's another seasonal decoration idea from a reader, Tenley. She said, "My husband found this old crate at the curb, thrown out by someone else, and brought it home. Little did he know it would cost Him dearly!! I purchased a variety of seasonal decorations which I display in it on top of my kitchen cabinets. I have decorations for every holiday. Need to get the Valentine decorations out now, huh?"
Make sure to choose something that shows a bit of your personality and makes you happy. That's what decorating is about, plus, since you're going to have to clean whatever it is rather frequently it should be worth that hassle to keep those items up there.
For example, the photos above are from a reader, Debra. She explained, "We like wine. And we decorated with bottles and corks."
Similarly, another reader, Carole, sent in this photo of the roosters above her cabinets. She said, "I love my roosters and hens on the tops of my cabinets, I clean them twice a year, but it's worth it. They say only keep what you love, and I love them and love to see them. I have more dust catchers sitting around, unfortunately."
Use This Area For Both Decoration & Storage At Once
If you need more storage in your kitchen, and it is items that you don't need to get to conveniently, above your kitchen cabinets can be the perfect place.
My suggestion, however, if you choose to use the area for storage is to still keep in mind how it looks.
Either choose decorative items to store up there, such as crystal or china (that can easily be washed), or put the items you want to store there in a decorative basket or box so it isn't an eye sore.
The example above is from a reader, Melissa, who added baskets on top of her cabinets.
In addition, below is another example from a reader, Jane. She said, "I have 2 file boxes covered with burlap and ribbon up there. I store my crock pot, food processor and other appliances I use weekly but not everyday. I also have plants and enamel wear dishes. Once a month I throw the plants and the dishes in the dishwasher on light."
Be Willing To Edit & Remove Pieces If It Looks Too Cluttered
While adding pieces above your cabinets can make it very pretty, I've also seen some where there are really too many things up there.
Here's some examples from readers who decided less was more and removed some from the collections above their cabinets, and now I think these after pictures are absolutely lovely.
For example, a reader, Sherri, sent in the photo above. She said, "I take this stuff down every couple years and wash it (oh that icky dusty greasy grime), put it back up, then repeat. This time I considered not putting it back, asked myself if I really wanted to be washing it all again, but it looked so bare up there and I have no other place to display these pieces I like, so I decided washing again at some point is something I'm willing to do.
Similarly, another reader, Kelly, also did this mission, but she actually brought a couple more things in the room. I think it works though. The crucial thing is to really evaluate what you've got there to make sure it is the right amount, but not too much. She said, "I have enjoyed reading everyone's ideas for this mission. I ended up lining the top of my cabinets with paper towels. I also moved some bird houses in from another room. I got both of those ideas from earlier posts. Thank you! I have roosters and a couple antique dishes on the top of the other cabinets."
Here's another quick idea from a reader, Anne. She explains, "I put my kids' artwork up there!"
I think you'd have to be prepared for it to get dusty and maybe dingy, but honestly, if it is just going to be packed away in a box otherwise this may be a great choice.
Thanks for sharing this idea Anne!
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And remember, if you have your own ideas for decor and decorating of this area of your kitchen I'd love to hear them (or see them). You can submit your own ideas and photos here.
My interior decorator suggested I put rope lights up there. Great for early morning and dreary days!
Double Duty - store stuff up there in pretty closed boxes by: Sue
Since I have a very small kitchen that does not have enough cabinet space to accommodate the needs of my large family, I use décor above the cabinets that serves double duty as additional storage. I purchased some pretty decoupage boxes and wicker baskets at my local craft store to keep seldom used items in such as special occasion dishes, heirloom teacups, party supplies, etc. The boxes have lids to keep out the dust, and I put cloths over the items in the baskets which keeps everything inside clean.
what I did by: Anonymous
I have made chooks and put a tin collection above mine. Have added character tea caddies and other country stuff. Absolutely love it.
Anything I want displayed outside reach of little hands by: Anonymous
When the grandchildren started coming to Christmas we had to scale back the accessible decorations. We now use the top of the cabinets for the Dept. 56 Snow Village display complete with lights, trees, etc. Off season, it displays a huge collection of our daughter's pottery.
line the exposed part with shelf paper or newspaper and discard a couple times a year by: Cindy
I put down shelf paper or newspaper on the exposed area of the top of cabinets. They are usually recessed and you never see it. Just throw it out a couple times a year. I keep a collection of whatever my kitchen theme is, right now it is chickens, so I have chicken teapots, planters, pictures, dishes, etc.
what's the best way to clean the stuff up there? by: Anonymous
What is the best solution to clean items you have above these cabinets? They can be very hard to clean!
CLEANING made easy with Goo Gone! by: Jodi Campbell Laura
I started the Declutter 365 Missions today. I cleaned the top of my Kitchen Cabinet in 2 hours. I have many ceramic Campbell items on display. I use Goo Gone Spray Gel to make cleaning the dust/grease build up easy to remove. I love Goo Gone!
What do you sit things on? by: Leigh
Ideas of what you sit items on to make them higher than crown but not something you can see so item sits taller?
Making items higher by: Linda
My husband used some pieces of particle board and little chunks of wood on the corners to make platforms that fit on the cabinets to elevate my collection of antiques--blue Mason jars, milk bottles, my grandmother's big mixing bowl, rolling pin, wire egg basket, cheese boxes, etc. I also have a built-in kitchen desk with cabinets above it, where I put my mother-in-law's old picnic basket and a pie basket, where I store Christmas paper products (I put a note on the inside of a cupboard door to remind myself where those items are!), and I store tall vases on either side of the baskets. Don't know where I'd put some of these things if it wasn't for that space above the cabinets!
Dusty/greasy by: Mia
Your point about things getting dusty and greasy is so on point, Taylor. I love my above-cabinet decorations, and so I feel it is worth it once or twice a year to give them a good scrubbing. I use the space for antique kitchenware handed down from relatives, so I have my husband's grandmother's canister set, my grandmother''s coffee grinder, etc etc. I love glancing up and getting a sweet reminder of lovely folks now passed! But it does make me wonder about the sanity of this "open shelving" trend. How on earth do people keep their dishes/glassware from getting the same "dusty/greasy" treatment? I just think open shelving is a dirt/dead bug invitation. What do you think?
I cleared off the top of all the cabinets by: Aunty M.
I just completely cleared off the top of all my kitchen cabinets so they are lovely and bare. Most of the items removed are going to the op-shop but after looking at all your great ideas I feel the need to recoup some of it as decorations. Then again I have this collection of antique vases...
vacuuming high places with a swimming pool hose for my vacuum by: Paula
My home gets dusty quickly. Trying to clean the tops of the cabinets was challenging. Having an upright vacuum with a hose was still difficult. I couldn't hold the vacuum up in the air for the hose to reach. I found a long swimming pool hose at a thrift shop for 50 cents! I duct taped the pool hose to vacuum hose and WOW! I can get the dust and cobwebs off the popcorn ceiling too.
the less I have up there the less I have to clean by: Anonymous
I just worked on this over the week-end. I used my $1.00 bottle of degreaser from Dollar Tree. It worked. I then put wax paper down to see if that will help with the grease. My husband came home and saw me on top of the countertop cleaning, he told me to get down before I fall. At my age don't want to break a hip. I have four items up above the cabinets. I have my large pasta bowl, my cookie jar, a glass vase with lavender. I feel the less I have, the less I have to clean.
Cleaning top of cabinets by: Sharon
I did my cupboards earlier when cleaning and organizing my kitchen cupboards. I wanted to share with everyone that Vim cleanser works like a charm to clean off the grease and dust that accumulates. Mine looked like I had something growing up there. It wasn't pretty!
On top of the kitchen cabinets by: Susan
I just put stacks of folded newspaper. You can make it any height and then throw it out when cleaning.
Stacking by: Anonymous
I use small boxes to elevate decorations. I use small easels from Michaels to prop pictures. I used part of my Longaberger basket collection to decorate for the longest, but am replacing with more modern things now. I have to be careful as I have nosy cats!!
Cleaning greenery by: Anonymous
The dishwasher is a great way to quickly clean greenery.
Plants and decor by: Kasey
We have artificial plants and a few decor items sitting on top of bricks. The bricks are the perfect height so you don't see them but they help the items be visible.
Adding height on top of cabinets by: Anonymous
I use 1/2 in styrofoam sheets to elevate items on top of my cabinets.
Never have I ever by: Anonymous
I have never seen one of those areas above cupboards that I liked, including my owe. Looking at these makes it clearer to me how outdated this look is. Perhaps i will have to investigate how to make it look like the cupboards go all the way to ceiling
Washable by: Julie
I think I'm going to put some things on top of my cabinets that are able to be washed in the dishwasher. Then I'll rotate and once a week I'll take one item down and wash it in the dishwasher, do the next one in line the next week, etc... Hopefully this will be easier than doing it all at once :)
Throw away replaceable items by: Msdette
I have decorative cookie tins, I am going to try them on an easel and when they get dirty I can discard them and put new ones up.
Fairy lights by: Phebe
Fairy lights look so pretty up there. Cord color should blend into wall colour. Kind of jumbled and even a trailing plant that can handle the lighting up there... or even faux, looks nice among the lights. You can add seasonal decorations if so inspired too.
Decoration and storage combined by: Sue
Since I have a very small kitchen that does not have enough cabinet space to accommodate the needs of my large family, I use décor above the cabinets that serves double duty as additional storage. I purchased some pretty decoupage boxes and wicker baskets at my local craft store to keep seldom used items in such as special occasion dishes, heirloom teacups, party supplies, etc. The boxes have lids to keep out the dust, and I put cloths over the items in the baskets which keeps everything inside clean.
wax paper on top of kitchen cabinets by: Kathryn Tyson
I roll wax paper or craft paper along the top of my upper kitchen cabinets before placing my glass bottle collection. Cleaning is a breeze. The bottles go in the dishwasher and the paper is rolled up, thrown away, and replaced. No sticky residue to clean up.