Refresh Your Kitchen with Stylish Cabinet Top Décor
If your kitchen cabinets are looking a little blah, one of the easiest ways to add visual interest is by decorating the tops. The space above your cabinets offers ample opportunity to reflect your personal style. With the right accents and furnishings, you can create a display area that complements your kitchen decor. From open shelving to framed art, there are endless possibilities for showcasing your favorite items in this often overlooked spot.
Embracing the cabinet tops as a decorative feature can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen. The space ties together your color scheme, collections, and overall aesthetic. Read on for creative ideas to refresh your kitchen with stylish cabinet top décor.
Why Decorate the Tops of Your Cabinets?
You may have never thought to style the tops of your cabinets, but this space presents unique design potential. Here are some of the benefits of dedicating time to decorating this forgotten area:
Add Style
One of the best reasons to decorate your cabinet tops is simply to incorporate your personal style. The space allows you to make a design statement that reflects your taste and complements the existing kitchen decor. For example, you could create a colorful display with painted cabinets and bold accent pieces. Or go for an airy, rustic vibe with natural wood cabinets and woven baskets.
Thoughtfully curating vignettes above your cabinets also creates visual continuity. The items tie together your color scheme, textures, and aesthetic for a pulled-together look.
Create Display Space
Your cabinet tops offer the perfect spot to showcase cherished items. For collectors or those who like to rotate decor seasonally, the space provides plenty of display real estate. You can highlight an ever-changing array of collectibles, antique dishes, or meaningful travel souvenirs. For a coordinated look, group items by color or theme.
Beyond showing off your things, cabinet tops create extra storage and access. Baskets or bins keep items concealed but conveniently within reach. You can organize anything from craft supplies to snack foods. Install a few open shelves for frequently used cookbooks, small appliances, or dinnerware.
Increase Functionality
While decorating your cabinet tops, don’t forget the opportunity to increase functionality! For example, accent lighting installed above cabinets provides both style and illumination for prepping food or reading recipes. Floating shelves can stash spices, oils, and other staples near the stove. Consider changes like:
- Pendant lights or sconces
- Spice racks
- Knife blocks
- Pot lid holders
- Towel bars
With some creativity, you can implement storage options that are both beautiful and useful.
Ideas for Styling Your Cabinet Tops
Ready to start designing your new display area? Here are some ideas for stylishly decorating the tops of your kitchen cabinets:
Open Shelving
Open shelves provide easy access and visual appeal. The airy look helps kitchens feel more spacious. Mix and match baskets, trays, and decorative objects for an eclectic feel. Or keep things coordinated with containers in matching wood tones and metals.
Pros:
- Airy, open look
- Easy access to items
- Can display collections
Cons:
- Requires more frequent dusting
- Can look cluttered if overfilled
Tips:
- Stick with 2-3 shelves for a clean look
- Use cohesive boxes, trays, baskets
- Incorporate lighting for drama
Closed Cabinets or Hutches
For those wanting concealed storage, closed cabinets or hutches keep items out of sight but easily accessible. Glass doors allow for visibility while protecting more fragile objects. Try illuminating the interior with puck lights to highlight favorite collectibles.
Pros:
- Provides concealed storage
- Protects breakable items
Cons:
- Less visibility of items
Tips:
- Glass doors allow you to showcase items
- Interior lighting spotlights decor
- Fun knobs and drawer pulls add character
Plants and Greenery
Incorporate nature into your kitchen by placing plants and fresh greenery on top of cabinets. Trailing varieties in high pots work well. Or fill planters with succulents or air plants for low maintenance. Groupings of the same plant make the biggest impact.
Pros:
- Brings lively nature indoors
- Fresh, relaxing ambiance
Cons:
- Requires care and maintenance
- Could impede accessing cabinets
Tips:
- Trailing varieties in high pots
- Group similar greenery together
Accent Lighting
The right lighting can make your displayed items pop. Sconces flanking cabinets provide task lighting while lending rustic style. For more contemporary flair, install pendant lights in metallic finishes. If planning a lighting update, splurge for dimmable smart bulbs to set mood lighting.
Pros:
- Adds ambiance and personality
- Highlights decor
Cons:
- Usually requires professional installation
- Ongoing bulb replacement
Tips:
- Opt for pendant or sconce lighting
- Use smart bulbs for control
- Install fixtures on a dimmer
Decorating with Collections
Displaying collections is a fun way to decorate your cabinet tops and reflect what you love. A few tips for creating an eye-catching vignette:
- Group items with a similar color or theme
- Spotlight special pieces with task lighting
- Rotate items seasonally for a changing look
For a unified display, opt for matching containers like a series of baskets or trays. This keeps various objects from looking random or cluttered. Place special pieces on risers to stand out.
Style Ideas for Cabinet Tops
Looking for more inspiration on ways to style your tops? Some go-to decorating ideas include:
- Baskets, vases, trays in natural textures
- Framed family photos or artwork
- Antique or collectible dishes
- Vintage cookbooks, cake stands
- Meaningful travel souvenirs
For a whimsical accent, try displaying colorful glass cloches or terrariums. The options are endless – have fun and feature items that bring you joy!
Design Considerations
When decorating above your cabinets, keep these design tips in mind:
- Leave adequate clearance – Don’t impede opening cabinets
- Anchor furnishings – Secure floating shelves and display pieces
- Group similar items – Collections look best arranged by color or type
- Dust and clean regularly – Open shelves attract more dust
- Style for your home – Rustic, modern, traditional, etc.
Proper measuring, spacing, and attachment ensure your functional cabinets remain usable. Choose durable materials that can handle humidity and heat from cooking. And decorate in a style that flows with your home so the kitchen feels cohesive.
With a bit of planning and styling, your kitchen cabinet tops can become a decorative feature that expresses your personality. Take advantage of this often unused space by display your collections, adding greenery, or installing pendant lighting. The project requires little time and money but makes a major impact.
Experiment with different vignettes and pieces to find your ideal look. Re-styling your cabinet tops brings new life to your kitchen while showcasing what you love. Anytime your decor feels lackluster, look up – the tops of your cabinets provide the perfect canvas for an instant refresh.