Most of the time, I just let the space above my cabinets go to waste, but there are ways you can make better use of it—as a display for decorations, extra storage space, or a combination of both. The internet has plenty of ideas for decorating above kitchen cabinets, and these are a few of my favorites.
Stretch upward by decorating above kitchen cabinets, windows, and sinks to showcase collections, add storage, and bring fresh appeal to your kitchen. By styling these spots, you can bring color and interest to an otherwise empty space that offers plenty of opportunities for updates.
Greenery above kitchen cabinets will never be outdated! Placing plants high above the cabinets creates a calming effect.
What are some creative ideas for utilizing the space above kitchen cabinets? Add extra storage. Use baskets with closed lids. Place plant babies. Utilizing the empty space above kitchen cabinets for storage. Close with building material & paint it. Add shelves and decor if there's a lot of space.
2024's cabinet style trends are defined by bold colors, earthy hues, frameless designs, and metallic hardware. Homeowners are embracing unique combinations and natural wood finishes, creating personalized, stylish kitchens that reflect their individual tastes.
Quartz countertops continue to dominate the market, and their popularity is only expected to grow in 2024. Engineered from natural quartz crystals and mixed with resins and pigments, quartz countertops offer an unbeatable combination of beauty and durability.
In 2024, stained shaker cabinets seem to be the most popular trend in cabinet door styles. It offers a classic and timeless look with clean lines and a simple, elegant design.
Place dishes, glassware, and food on the lower shelves of the upper cabinetry. Items only used occasionally such as pitchers, platters, serving bowls, and cookbooks should be kept on the highest shelves of the upper cabinetry section.
Kitchen soffits are usually installed above your cabinets, closing the gaps between the cabinets and ceiling. While kitchen soffits were very popular in older homes, the style has fallen out of favor for many homeowners and interior designers.
Blonde and mid-tone browns are classic choices that never go out of style. Bleached or super dark stains tend to wave with trends and can make a kitchen appear very dated when not in style. Avoid stains with a heavy undertone like red, orange, or grey as these will also wane with kitchen trends.
Experts agree that the primary thing making your cabinets look dated is their color — but those same experts are divided on what, exactly, that color is. Erica Lugbill of Chicago-based interior design firm Lugbill Designs says all-white cabinets are a dead giveaway that your kitchen is stuck in the stone ages.
After your cabinet tops are clean, put wax paper on top of them. The wax attracts the dust and grime like a magnet. All you have to do is replace the wax paper a couple times a year and you're good to go.
Is decorating above kitchen cabinets outdated? The short answer is no. There are so many beautiful ways to decorative above kitchen cabinets that will inject modernity, textural interest and decorative style to your kitchen. There are many interesting kitchen styling techniques and designs to chose from.
Paint the wall something bright for an exciting pop of color. If your kitchen is more neutral, paint the wall a shade lighter or darker than the color you have on the rest of the walls to draw the eye.
In the past, upper cabinets were generally either 32” or 36” tall, and so leaving a gap between them and the ceiling was standard. Today, many people prefer cabinets that reach the ceiling. It can give a cleaner, more streamlined look, and it increases a cabinet's storage capacity.
Some people consider decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets outdated, while others consider it a timeless option. Displaying essential kitchen items, incorporating natural storage baskets, or carrying your backsplash or wallpaper into the space above cabinets can keep them looking current.
As a general rule, keep frequently-used glassware in a cabinet or on a shelf that is located next to the sink or dishwasher. "I've cooked in a lot of people's kitchens, and searching for a glass when I wanted some water always puzzled me," she says. "It also makes putting away dishes so much easier!"
And if you're wondering, “How do I decide where to put things in my kitchen?,” here's a good rule of thumb for using cabinet space effectively: Upper cabinets: food, spices, glassware, dishes. Lower cabinets: larger serving pieces, small kitchen appliances, pots, pans, mixing bowls, baking sheets, cutting boards.
MY KITCHEN CABINETS
We didn't want our cabinets to go clear up to 9', so our custom cabinet maker added a soffit that matched the cabinets. It all is one continuous piece from the cabinets up to the crown molding. This is your most sophisticated option if you do not want your cabinets to go to the ceiling.
Caulk can be used if the gap is not too large. As a result, the best approach to fill wide gaps between the side of a cabinet and the wall is with cabinet filler strips.
A bulkhead is used to connect cabinetry to the ceiling. The make up of your bulkhead depends on the layout of the kitchen. We've used an L-shape to show the different corner applications.
Trends in colour & finish
And while shaker style kitchens tended to favour painted surfaces, newer kitchen trends are focusing in on wood finishes. Natural grain patterns and deep rich wood tones add interest to flat doors, and give kitchens a warm, earthy and welcoming feel.
Inset Cabinet Style
Although this style tends to be one of the most expensive on the market, it's a classic look that'll last for generations. The inset door gets its name because it is set inside of the cabinet frame – typical cabinet doors rest on the outside of the frame.