Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Do you have an empty space above your kitchen cabinets that you’re just not sure what to do with? It’s a tough balance between putting enough up there so it doesn’t look empty, but not having so much up there that it looks cluttered.

Personally, I love the look of plates, pitchers, vases etc. in similar colors grouped together – kind of like in the pictures below:

Cottage_Living_-_pace-kitchen-l 

Cottage Living - Kitchen

Cottage Living - spec house kitchen

Country Living - Limestone Backsplash

Country Living - Shelves and Wainscotting

Country Living Kitchen-Pantry-Organize-Storage

Granted, most of the photo are of shelves instead of actual cabinets, but I think (if you venture outside the box a little) the same principal applies. Also all of the photos above show white ceramics, but you could use similar shades of any color – think Martha Stewart. She’s a genius at (well…many things, but especially at) combining items of the same color family in order to create a visually soothing space…or vignette or whatever.

Try grouping wood tones with baskets, or silver, or glass…or whatever your favorite color is. But most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment. Seriously, what’s the worst thing that could happen?

Have a great Wednesday!

sig

Images: 1) House Beautiful, 2-4) Cottage Living (sniff sniff), 5 & 6) Country Living, 7 & 8) Martha Stewart

29 Suburbanites Said:

Kate Riley said...

I agonize over this very issue, and end up leaving mine empty ! Great inspiration photos, and tips.
xoxo Kate

Looli said...

the worst that could happen....it all fall off and shatter! It's happened to me. Three times, two different houses. My precious FireKing pitcher from my Great-Grandmother. My other Great Grandmother's Wedding china platter, etc *sniff*. Now I use industrial velcro, screws, non-slip mats and hot glue to secure things safely above. Because I can't stand bare space above cupboards. I love the look of platters/pitchers (hence my casualties), but I'm trying to go towards light weight, non-glass/ceramic/lethal materials. Light wood candle sticks, tin signs, etc. Until then...I hot glue most of those puppies up there. Just thought I'd share.

Amber Filkins said...

Oh my goodness, so many beautiful pictures! I have a few pretty things on mine. You should have a party!

Hey, stop over at the giveaway at my blog. I'm giving away some REALLY cute pillows from a nice Etsy shop. :)

Amy Kinser said...

Great inspiration photos and ideas. Thanks for taking the time to share. Blessings, Amy

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

All I can think of when people talk of decorating the top of kitchen cabinets is fake ivy. Yikes!! So, I can't even go there, mine are left alone and unadorned.
Janell
p.s. the images you post make me think perhaps I should rethink my approach...

Unknown said...

few basket of dried or artificial flowers also can change the look of the emty spaces. anyway nice ideas.

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Great photos! I have some spaces above my cabinets (they are staggered). They could use a little update. I love the monochromatic look!

XOXO
Jen

angela | the painted house said...

I won't lie...as a 20-year-old newlywed I put fake ivy on top of my cabinets in our rental. I did, and I have photos to prove it so I can't pretend it didn't happen. Ha! :)

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

You know it is funny. Our old house the cabinets went all the way up to the ceiling. This house I was so excited cause the cabinets have an area for stuff like that. How excited was I to decorate up there? Well it is still empty....

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

Another great look is to put those mini white holiday lights up over your cabinets..its puts out a very soft glow..great accent lighting.

The Comfort Girl said...

Mine were empty for the longest time. They do have some things now, but it's still not like I would like it to be. But, with a brand new house to decorate, it's low on my list for now. I'll have to remember this post for inspiration when the time comes to add some things.

Three Men and a Little Crazy said...

Great post! I am sooooo struggling with this in my own home...just can't figure out what to do. I'm always searching the internet looking for inspiration. Your finds are great. Keep 'em coming, please. :)

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I'm glad you posted this! :) On one side of my kitchen, there are glass pieces above the cabinets (my cake dome, a trifle bowl, compote, etc. On the other side are all my white ceramic things: 2 pitchers, a soup tureen, sugar bowl, etc.

I think I might have a few too many things up there, but I am glad I kept like things together...even if it's not ALL glass or ALL ceramic. At least they're the same on their respective sides. ;)

Rebekah said...

I have a collection of clear and green glass bottles on top of my kitchen cabinets. I've had some of the bottles since I was a teenager. Some dear friends gave me an empty Schnapps bottle as a gift for my 14th birthday. I don't recall exactly *why* (the friends and my family were all missionaries and definitely not Schnapps drinkers) but I loved it then and still do. :) I've collected other bottles of interesting shapes and sizes ever since. I sometimes pull them down to use for vases.

Julie Johnson said...

Love this topic. I just redid our kitchen, but we have soffets over ours, that are about a foot above the cabinets. I'm thinking of hanging some plates in tones of white. Ideas anyone? Send them my way!
Julie

Pogue Fam said...

Such great ideas! I was having this problem in my kitchen, and opted for framing sepia toned pictures of my kids in rustic looking frames, then spaced them out evenly all the way across the wall. I don't have to worry about them collecting as much dust, and they are easy to see... fun and kind of different. (just another idea :) )

martha said...

You must have read my mind! I've spent many a moment online searching for inspiration (something to copy) for this space. Thanks for your first photo - if you find any more. I'd be ecstatic.

Pat said...

I love these photos and your blog! I have soffit over my cupboards, but I was thinking about hanging my mothers flo blue plates up there. I would feel terrible if they fell and broke though! I have to give it some more thought!
Right now, I'm struggling with my fireplace mantle..this has been on going for a looonnng time!
I'll be back!

Kelley said...

I love having the space above my cabinets to tweek for the season. People come in and say how much they enjoy my stuff. Right now it is much lighter and brighter, hopefully to counter the gray weather we have had for so long. My favorite is a group of wood bowls, still in easy reach for use, that my husband turned.

Frugal Home Designs said...

This might just be the inspiration I need to get my big but up on the counter and get the tinsel Christmas trees down and find some cute stuff to put up :)

The Tablescaper said...

I think it's great to display in every little nook and cranny. I even display above the cabinets in the bathrooms.

- The Tablescaper

Melanie said...

Don't you just love that pantry in the next to the last picture? That is an organizers dream.

Victoryperfect said...

Nice Blog! Well most of your content and image is original and informative. /many thanks for sharing this, cheers.

Kitchen Cupboards

Devin Adams said...

When decorating a kitchen cabinets long island, I suggest choosing decor that is befitting of the home's overall design and try to keep everything for the cabinet tops generic in design.

Tony Raz said...

Great post. We need to redo our kitchen and might go with something like this.

Tony Raz said...

The time that I was blind and needed to see the light was tough. I looked through countless addiction center and finally found the one that worked for me.

Anthony Frost said...

That looks pretty nice. Of course I must get some nicer plates for that.


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