The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, a place where meals are prepared, stories are shared, and memories are created. But what about that often-overlooked space above your kitchen cabinets? It’s a space that, if utilized effectively, can add visual interest, extra kitchen storage, and a unique personal touch to your kitchen. Here are innovative and stylish ideas to transform this underutilized space.
Image: Domino / Photography: KATIE BRANCH
1. Secret Stash: Clever Concealed Storage
While decorating the top of your kitchen cabinets can be purely aesthetic, it can also serve a practical purpose. If you’re struggling with storage space, consider using this area to stash items that are not frequently used, such as picnic baskets or extra cutting boards. Baskets or boxes can neatly contain these items while adding a touch of rustic charm to your kitchen decor.
2. Let Your Artistic Side Shine: Creating a Gallery Loft
For those who love art and creativity, the space above the kitchen cabinets can serve as your personal gallery. Showcase your favorite prints, paintings, or collectibles, creating a visually appealing display that reflects your personality. This idea works particularly well in kitchens with high ceilings, as the artworks draw the eye upwards, adding depth and dimension to the space.
3. Antiques: Displaying Your Collection
Image: The Ponds Farmhouse
If you’re an antique enthusiast with a collection of antique or vintage items, why not turn them into a unique kitchen display? An antique collection adds an unexpected and personal touch to your kitchen decor.
4. Timeless Elegance: Extended Backsplash
Consider extending your backsplash all the way up to the ceiling. This can create a visually cohesive and elegant look, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. You can also choose a brick backsplash using faux brick panels for a seamless transition from cabinets to ceiling.
5. Organized Chaos: Baskets and Bins
Image: CAITLIN MARIE DESIGN
On top of your kitchen cabinets is a great place to store items that are infrequently used, but still important. Baskets, bins, and crates can provide an organized yet stylish storage solution. They’re also a fantastic way to add texture and visual interest to your kitchen decor.
6. Chalk It Up: Creative and Functional Chalkboard
Image: roomdsign
A chalkboard can be a fun and functional addition to the space above your kitchen cabinets. Use it as a place to a favorite quote, or create chalk art. It’s a practical way to make use of the space while adding a touch of whimsy to your kitchen.
7. More Cabinets: Custom-Built Storage Solutions
Image: Studio McGee
If you’re remodeling your kitchen or building from scratch, consider having cabinets custom-built to reach up to the ceiling. This not only eliminates the awkward gap above the cabinets but also provides additional storage space. Choose cabinets with glass fronts for displaying decorative items or beautiful dishware.
8. Natural Beauty: Adding Greenery
Plants can bring a touch of nature into your kitchen, making it feel fresh and vibrant. Consider easy-to-care-for plants or even stylish artificial ones if you don’t have a green thumb. Trailing plants like ivy or pothos can drape beautifully over the sides of the cabinets, adding a touch of drama and color.
9. Book Nook: Cookbook Storage
If you’re a culinary enthusiast with a collection of cookbooks, the top of your kitchen cabinets can serve as the perfect spot for them. This not only keeps your cookbooks within easy reach but also transforms them into a part of your kitchen decor.
10. Subtle Illumination: Adding a Neon Sign
Image: AD
Finally, consider adding a neon sign above your cabinets. Not only do they provide soft, ambient lighting, but they also create a warm and cozy atmosphere, perfect for those late-night kitchen chats or a romantic dinner at home.
In conclusion, the space above your kitchen cabinets is brimming with potential. With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of ingenuity, it can be transformed into a functional and visually appealing part of your kitchen. Whether you’re storing your collection, displaying your favorite items, or creating a mini art gallery, the sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating above your kitchen cabinets.
Note: Always make sure to measure the space above your cabinets before purchasing any items for it to ensure they will fit properly.
