The space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling can feel awkward and empty without any decoration. If you're wondering how to decorate above kitchen cabinets, then keep reading – this guide is going over decoration tips from greenery to statement pieces.

In this guide:
How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets
Frequently Asked Questions

How to Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets

1. Install Wallpaper

(Shop This Image: kitchen wall cabinets, countertop microwaves, wood cutting board, pizza stones)

If you're looking for a simple way to decorate, try wallpaper. Opt for a solid color wallpaper to add a pop of color or try a patterned wallpaper that will create more of a focal point. Adding wallpaper above kitchen cabinets will also make your kitchen feel taller as it will draw the eye upwards.

2. Play with Bento Boxes

(Shop This Image: blue backsplash tiles, white kitchen islands, black cabinetry, white fruit baskets, wood bar & kitchen stools, geometric kitchen lighting, stainless steel refrigerators, black wall sconces)

Bento boxes are made for storing food and traveling, and they have more structure and built-in storage than typical food storage containers. If you or those you live with take food on the go often, you can line the tops of your cabinets with aesthetically pleasing bento boxes for decor and function.

3. Utilize Festive Decor

(Shop This Image: wicker storage baskets, black food pantries, black counter stools, silver cake stands, glass canisters & jars, yellow vases, bottles, jars, & urns, wood mail wall organizers)

Bring the holiday season into your home by using festive decor to decorate above your kitchen cabinets. Opt for faux presents around Christmas time, a cornucopia when it's closer to Thanksgiving, or an American flag when the Fourth of July rolls around. This tip works especially well when you carry the theme throughout the rest of your kitchen and dining space.

4. Decorate with Baskets

(Shop This Image: white kitchen cabinetry, white kitchen islands, black cake stands, wood cutting board, white range hoods)

Baskets are a great way to create visual intrigue and add additional storage to an otherwise empty space. If you're wondering how to decorate above kitchen cabinets and are looking for extra storage, opt for a beautiful basket that will solve two problems with one solution. Woven baskets are a popular choice for kitchens, but if you prefer more modern decor, opt for a wire basket.

5. Try Wall Mirrors

(Shop This Image: white kitchen cabinetry, cylinder kitchen island lighting, white bar stools, silver vases, urns, jars, & bottles, stainless steel refrigerators)

Figuring out how to decorate above kitchen cabinets can be tricky. Especially when you're working with a very small space. One thing that always makes small spaces look larger is a mirror. Decorate the space above your cabinets and make it look larger by adding small wall mirrors. If you're renting, be sure you have permission from your landlord to attach it to the wall before you install your mirror.

6. Install Lighting

(Shop This Image: statement chandeliers, stainless steel refrigeratorsstainless steel microwaves)

If you're looking for a simple solution for how to decorate above kitchen cabinets and alter the mood of your space, opt for lighting. Adding under-cabinet lights to the top and bottom of your cabinets can set a calming mood when the main lights feel a bit harsh. Placing lights here is also a great way to have a tucked away night light for little ones.

7. Include Plants

(Shop This Image: white food pantries, white planters, small planters, SMEG toasters, SMEG coffee makers, stovetop espresso makers)

Adding greenery to any space is sure to liven it up – the space above your cabinets is no exception. Opt for something tall and thick to cover a lot of space or opt for something vine-like to accent certain parts of your cabinets. Whether you opt for a real plant or faux, adding plants is one of the easiest and most effective way to decorate above kitchen cabinets.

8. Hang a Wall Clock

(Shop This Image: stainless steel refrigerators, full kitchen unit cabinetry, under cabinet lighting, stainless steel range hood)

Learning how to decorate above kitchen cabinets and keep the decor functional can leave you with few options, but one great options is a clock. Opt for an analog clock for a more traditional look, or get a digital one to keep your space contemporary.

9. Include Jars & Canisters

(Shop This Image: SMEG refrigerators, white food pantries, white fruit baskets, cereal dispensers, hanging planters, live plants, small round wall clocks, glass pitchers)

Do you have jars or canisters littering your kitchen countertops? Use them to decorate the space above your cabinet. If your current jars don't fit into your style of decor, pick out some that do. Or you can opt for totally clear ones so that you know what is in each one and when it's time to buy more of that item.

10. Use Statement Pieces

(Shop This Image: black kitchen canisters, green food pantries, utensil wall art, black planters, live plants)

If you've got a pitcher that's been handed down for generations or a salad bowl that's extremely sentimental, then understanding how to decorate above kitchen cabinets will be easy. Simply use your prized heirloom as decoration. And if you don't have anything that precious to you, you can fake it. Opt for rustic-looking jars or artwork that will make it look like the decor above your cabinet was passed down from generation to generation.

11. Choose Vases

(Shop This Image: abstract wall art, white food pantries, live plants, white planters, glass canisters, spice racks, gray kitchen cabinetry)

All questions regarding how to decorate above kitchen cabinets are answered by adding a vase – or several. Vases come in almost any shape and pattern, and they look good on their own as well as with flowers. Vases have a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes that allows them to work in any space, including above kitchen cabinets. Get an even number of the same vase to keep your kitchen simple and symmetrical, or opt for one and fill it with a fresh flower arrangement from your local flower shop to make a statement. Add some artwork for extra visual intrigue.

12. Add Serving Platters

(Shop This Image: white china cabinets, white wood kitchen dining sets, white cabinets, striped throw pillows, white throw blankets, wicker storage basket)

Big bowls and plates can take up a lot of room inside cabinets and on shelves. Free up some of that vital space by moving your display-worthy serving dishes to the top of your cabinets. Doing this not only puts your beautiful dishes on display, but also frees up space in your kitchen for other things like small appliances, pots and pans, or cleaning supplies. Arrange the items with like styles to keep the look cohesive, or mix and match for a more eclectic look.