What looks best on top of kitchen cabinets depends on your style, but oversized decorative pieces, natural greenery, and functional storage tend to work best. Avoid small items, which can create clutter, and skip fake greenery, which can look dated.
Baskets, woven boxes, or decorative bins placed above cabinets can serve both function and form. Store seasonal items, cookbooks, or seldom-used appliances in beautiful containers that blend with your kitchen aesthetic. Tip: Choose uniform containers to maintain a sleek, clutter-free appearance.
Some people consider decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets outdated, while others consider it a timeless option.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.
Create Extra Storage. If you have a smaller kitchen, why not use the space above your cabinets for extra storage? With the help of a few baskets or bins, you'll have the perfect spot to stash infrequently used kitchen items, such as specialty baking pans or even extra pantry supplies.
As a general rule, if you have under 2' of space above kitchen cabinetry, very tall armoires or built-ins, don't decorate the space. All too often, doing so dates you to the 1990's and the area does nothing but catch dust.
What makes it look cheap: A lack of continuity disrupts the home's visual and physical flow, subtly cheapening the overall experience. Mismatched flooring, abrupt ceiling changes, or lighting that feels disconnected from nearby spaces can make the kitchen feel compartmentalized instead of cohesive.
Kitchens are shifting away from stark minimalism and cold stainless steel, moving toward "warm minimalism" that highlights tactile, earthy, and highly functional spaces.
Add baskets to hide clutter
Not only do wicker baskets add texture to any space, they're great for storage. Tuck infrequently used items (think small appliances or seasonal tea towels) into baskets to keep them out of sight.
The 1/3 Guideline (Your Easy Starting Point)
A simple rule of thumb: choose a pull with an overall length ≈ one-third the drawer width. Divide your drawer width by 3 to find a pleasing pull length—then choose the closest available size. It's a guide, not a law.
Here are some of the most common cabinet design mistakes and how to avoid them.
Outdated Cabinetry
Granite countertops typically pair with natural wood cabinets, but pine or hickory cabinetry can date your kitchen's style back a few decades. Additionally, cabinetry with gold or brass fixtures shows that the kitchen hasn't had an update for a while.
Decorative baskets are one of the easiest ideas for decorating above kitchen cabinets. If your kitchen has farmhouse décor, opt for wicker, rattan or bamboo baskets. Use baskets of different sizes and shapes to create a balanced display. These baskets don't just serve as décor—they're also practical.
Yes, countertops generally sit directly on top of base cabinets, but the term “directly” can be a little misleading. While there's no thick layer between your countertops and cabinets, a thin layer of support material or adhesive is typically used to ensure proper alignment and secure attachment.
5 Affordable Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look Expensive
Some small beautiful plates or decorative mirrors would look nice right above your cabinets.
This decorating rule suggests that you should cover your room with 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent shade. It is all about maintaining the perfect balance of tones. Pick colors that mingle well with each other to create a subtle combo.
Breaking Down the Magic Numbers: The 3-5-7 rule
Arrangements of three, five, or seven items feel more dynamic and natural than even-numbered groupings, which can sometimes look a bit rigid or staged. This principle of decorating with odd numbers is what makes the 3-5-7 rule in decorating so effective.
Avoid outdated cabinet shades like navy, cherry wood, mustard yellow, and country red. These colors once felt warm or luxurious but now make kitchens look dated or overly themed. Instead, choose softer neutrals, natural woods, or richer muted tones for a timeless feel.
The kitchen triangle rule focuses on positioning the three primary work areas—the sink, refrigerator and stove—to form a triangle. This arrangement aims to streamline workflow and increase efficiency, allowing for smooth movement between tasks.
A big macro trend for 2026 interiors is “Modern Heritage,” which blends traditional details with modern function and personal character. In hardware, that shows up as classic knob and pull shapes (cup pulls, rounded knobs, subtle backplates) paired with updated finishes like brushed brass, deep bronze, or mixed metals.
Typically, one side will feature your sink, while the stove goes on the other. Your refrigerator can go on either side, the longer one if available. L-shaped layouts are great for kitchens that open to a dining or living room. With no barrier between the kitchen's work space and adjacent room, both areas feel larger.
While mixing knobs and pulls is encouraged, keeping the finish consistent—like polished nickel, matte black, or antique brass—will maintain a unified look.
Don't think of the gap between your upper cabinets and kitchen ceiling as a challenge. Instead, see it as a golden opportunity for stunning above kitchen cabinet decor, like statement-making light fixtures.
One of the strongest kitchen colour trends for 2026 is the return of rich reds, burgundy, oxblood, and merlot inspired shades. These tones are deep, brown-based and refined, rather than bright or novelty-based.
It's such a great space to add some style to your kitchen. Think about using cute baskets for storage, a few potted plants to bring in some greenery, or stylish jars to hold your kitchen essentials. You could also add a tray with decorative items like candles or small sculptures.