Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets: Ideas & Tips

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.


Top photo courtesy of Brad Holt

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?"

Choose Decorations That Make You Happy

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."

Above Kitchen Cabinet Decor Idea: Kids' Artwork

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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If you haven't already, make sure to get your copy of this year's Declutter 365 annual calendar here (it's FREE!), find today's date, and do 15 minutes of decluttering on the day's mission. Then, repeat again tomorrow, and again and again. Over the course of the next year, if you do this 15 minutes per day, you'll declutter your whole house!

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.

Related Pages You May Enjoy

52 Week Challenge Home Organization Hall Of Fame

Free Printable February Declutter Calendar

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