What to Put on Top of Kitchen Cabinets Fresh Ideas in 2025

That awkward, empty space above your kitchen cabinets—what are you supposed to do with it? Is it a blank canvas begging for personality, or just a magnet for dust and forgotten clutter? If you’ve ever stared up at that gap and felt completely stuck, you’re not alone.

For years, this space was the designated home for faux ivy, ceramic roosters, and a collection of dusty knick-knacks. It’s no wonder so many of us are hesitant to put anything up there, terrified of making our kitchen look dated. The fear of creating a cluttered, hard-to-clean mess is real.

But here’s the deal: you absolutely should put things on top of your kitchen cabinets, but only if it’s done thoughtfully. The modern approach is to treat it as a curated display shelf, focusing on intentional groupings of larger-scale items like plants, functional baskets, or a single piece of statement art. It’s about enhancing your kitchen’s style, not just filling a void.

That Awkward Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets: Blank Canvas or Clutter Magnet?

Yes, you should put things on top of kitchen cabinets if done thoughtfully to enhance your kitchen’s overall aesthetic and style. To keep the look modern for 2024, the key is to move away from small, unrelated knick-knacks. Instead, focus on creating a curated and intentional display with items like lush plants, beautiful art, or functional woven baskets that add texture and purpose.

This often-overlooked real estate in your kitchen is a prime opportunity to add personality, warmth, and style. The challenge isn’t if you should decorate it, but how you should do it to reflect current design trends while fitting your unique space. In my experience, we’ve helped countless homeowners transform this tricky spot from a dust-collecting void into a stylish focal point. Let’s walk through exactly how to do it right.

Before You Start: 3 Essential Things to Consider

Before you start decorating the space above your cabinets, it’s crucial to consider the available height, your kitchen’s existing style, and the practicality of cleaning your chosen decor. Taking a moment to plan ensures your final look is cohesive, beautiful, and easy to maintain.

• 1. Measure Your Space (The Cabinet-to-Ceiling Gap): The amount of space you have dictates everything. A kitchen with high or vaulted ceilings can handle taller, more substantial items like oversized vases or large-scale art. A kitchen with a smaller gap (less than 12-15 inches) requires more modest decor to avoid looking cramped. Grab a tape measure—knowing your exact dimensions is the first step.
• 2. Define Your Kitchen’s Style: Look around. Is your kitchen modern minimalist, cozy farmhouse, or somewhere in between? The decor you place above the cabinets should be an extension of this style. For a farmhouse look, think woven baskets and vintage pottery. For a modern kitchen, a single sculptural object or a minimalist art print would be more appropriate. The goal is a cohesive look, not a clashing one.
• 3. Plan for Practicality (Cleaning and Dust): Let’s be honest: the top of kitchen cabinets can become a greasy, dusty mess. Before placing any decor, give the surface a thorough cleaning. Then, choose items that are relatively easy to wipe down.

Pro Tip: In my own kitchen, I’ve learned a game-changing trick. I lay a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper across the top of the cabinets. It’s completely invisible from the ground, but it catches all the dust and grease. Every few months, I just roll up the dirty paper and replace it. No scrubbing required!

9 Fresh Ideas for Decorating Above Kitchen Cabinets in 2024

Ready for some real inspiration? We’re moving past the dated looks of the past and into fresh, stylish territory. This list is packed with a mix of purely decorative ideas and clever functional solutions that feel current and chic. Whether you’re a minimalist or love a cozy, collected look, there’s a perfect idea here for you.

1. Add Lush Greenery with Faux or Real Plants

Using plants is one of the best ways to breathe life and organic texture into a kitchen. The pop of green adds a natural, vibrant energy that complements almost any kitchen style, from modern to farmhouse.

Materials Needed:
* A mix of 3-5 plants (real or high-quality faux)
* Decorative pots or planters in various sizes
* Small stands or hardcover books for height variation

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Choose your plants. For kitchens with low light, opt for hardy snake plants, ZZ plants, or incredibly realistic faux plants. If you have a brighter spot, a pothos is a wonderful trailing option.
2. Select your pots. Choose planters that complement your kitchen’s color scheme and material palette (e.g., terracotta, ceramic, concrete).
3. Arrange in a group. Place the tallest plant in the back or center to anchor the display.
4. Create height variation. Use small stands or a stack of cookbooks to elevate some of the plants. This simple trick makes the arrangement look more dynamic and professionally styled.
5. Add a trailing element. Position a trailing plant like a pothos or string of pearls near the edge, allowing it to cascade gracefully down the side of the cabinet for a soft, organic feel.

Pro Tip: If using real plants, choose low-maintenance varieties that thrive on neglect. I’ve learned that less is more—a few healthy, thriving plants always look better than a crowded, struggling jungle.

Pin this fresh kitchen idea to your ‘Home Decor’ board!

2. Weave in Texture with Baskets for Smart Storage

Baskets are a designer’s secret weapon because they offer the perfect blend of form, function, and texture. They add a warm, natural element to the kitchen while providing hidden storage for items you don’t use every day.

Materials Needed:
* A set of 3-5 baskets of varying sizes but similar material/color
* Items for storage (e.g., extra dish towels, paper towels, seasonal cookie cutters, party supplies)

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Measure twice, buy once. Measure the height of your space to ensure the baskets you choose will fit comfortably without being squished.
2. Choose a cohesive style. Select baskets that match your kitchen’s aesthetic. Light woven hyacinth baskets are great for a coastal or transitional look, while dark wire baskets suit an industrial or modern farmhouse vibe.
3. Fill them up! Use the baskets to store infrequently used kitchen items. This frees up prime real estate in your more accessible cabinets and drawers.
4. Arrange thoughtfully. Create a visually pleasing arrangement. You could try a symmetrical look with one large basket in the middle flanked by two smaller ones, or an asymmetrical grouping of three for a more casual feel.
5. Leave some breathing room. Avoid lining up baskets across the entire length of your cabinets. Grouping them leaves negative space, which prevents the look from feeling cluttered.

Lesson Learned: Don’t just throw any old basket up there. From my own trial and error, I can tell you that using baskets of the same material or color tone is what makes the difference. It creates a cohesive, intentional look that reads as “decor” instead of just “random storage.”

Love functional decor? Save this storage idea for later!

3. Curate a Mini Art & Object Gallery

Transform the space above your cabinets into a sophisticated focal point by creating a layered display of art and decorative objects. This is the perfect way to inject personal style and create a look that is uniquely yours.

Materials Needed:
* 1-2 pieces of framed art or canvas
* 2-3 decorative objects (vases, pitchers, sculptures) of varying heights
* Museum putty (optional, for securing items)

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Select a “hero” piece. This will be your largest item, like a framed print or a large wooden platter propped on a stand. It will be the anchor of your vignette.
2. Place the hero off-center. Position your main piece at the back, slightly to one side.
3. Layer in more art. Lean a smaller piece of art against the hero piece, allowing them to overlap slightly. This creates depth.
4. Add dimensional objects. Arrange your decorative objects in front of the art, grouping them in odd numbers like a cluster of three vases.
5. Mix heights, shapes, and textures. This is key to a dynamic display. Place shorter, wider items in front of taller, narrower ones.
6. Step back and edit. Take a look from across the room. If it feels too busy, don’t be afraid to remove one item. Often, the simplest arrangement is the most impactful.

Pro Tip: To achieve a cohesive, professional gallery look, stick to a limited color palette. Pull 2-3 colors from your backsplash, countertops, or cabinet paint. This simple guideline will make your collection feel instantly curated.

Ready to create your own kitchen gallery? Pin this for inspiration!

4. Illuminate with Strategic Accent Lighting

Adding accent lighting is a high-impact way to create a warm, ambient glow and a luxurious feel in your kitchen. This technique, often used in high-end design, draws the eye upward and can make the ceiling feel higher.

Materials Needed:
* A roll of peel-and-stick LED light tape (warm white, 2700K-3000K, is recommended)
* Power adapter
* Extension cable (if needed)
* Cleaning cloth and rubbing alcohol

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Prep the surface. Thoroughly clean the top of your cabinets with rubbing alcohol. This removes any grease or dust and ensures the adhesive on the light strip will stick securely.
2. Measure and cut. Measure the length of your cabinets and cut the LED strip only at the designated cut marks.
3. Install the strip. Starting at the end closest to your power outlet, peel back the adhesive backing. Press the strip firmly along the back edge of the cabinet top, close to the wall. This positioning will cast a beautiful glow up the wall rather than creating a harsh line on the ceiling.
4. Power it up. Connect the strip to the power adapter and plug it in.
5. Conceal the cord. Use a paintable cord concealer to hide the wire running down the side of your cabinet for a clean, professional finish.

Pro Tip: In my experience, it’s worth it to opt for dimmable LED strips. This gives you complete control to create a soft, ambient glow for cozy evenings or a brighter light to beautifully showcase any decor you’ve placed up there. It’s a small upgrade that makes a huge difference in functionality and mood.

Light up your kitchen! Save this bright idea to your ‘Dream Home’ board.

5. Display a Prized Collection of Pottery or Glassware

Showcasing a personal collection is a wonderful way to tell a story and display items you love. Whether it’s white ironstone pitchers, blue and white ginger jars, or colorful vintage glassware, a curated grouping looks incredibly chic.

Materials Needed:
* Your collection of 5-7 pieces (e.g., pitchers, bowls, vases)
* Small acrylic risers or stands (optional)

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Select your best pieces. Choose items from your collection that share a common color, material, or theme. This is the key to making it look like a cohesive display.
2. Start with the largest piece. Place your biggest item in the center or slightly off-center to act as the focal point.
3. Create smaller clusters. Group the remaining items around the main piece, creating smaller vignettes of two or three.
4. Vary the heights. If all your pieces are a similar height, use clear acrylic risers to elevate a few items in the back. This simple step adds visual interest and allows each piece to be seen.
5. Give them space. Ensure there’s a bit of breathing room between each item or cluster so that the individual beauty of each piece can be appreciated.

Lesson Learned: Resist the powerful urge to put out your entire collection at once. I learned this the hard way! A carefully curated selection of your absolute favorite pieces will have far more visual impact than a crowded lineup. You can always rotate items in and out seasonally to keep the look fresh.

Showcase your treasures! Pin this display idea for your collections.

6. Add Character with Vintage Finds

Vintage items are perfect for infusing your kitchen with unique personality and a sense of history. A piece from a flea market or thrift store tells a story that new items simply can’t, adding instant character and warmth.

Materials Needed:
* A curated group of 3-5 vintage items (e.g., a vintage scale, old tin lunchboxes, a wooden breadboard, seltzer bottles).

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Choose a theme. To keep your display from looking random, pick a loose theme, such as “old-timey general store” (scales, tins) or “vintage baking essentials” (rolling pins, sifter).
2. Clean gently. Clean your items just enough to remove grime but be careful to preserve their beautiful, aged patina.
3. Create a layered vignette. Start with a larger, flatter item in the back, like an old advertising sign or a rustic breadboard, leaning against the wall.
4. Add dimensional items. Arrange your more three-dimensional items, like a scale or a stack of tins, in front of the flat piece.
5. Group for impact. Instead of spreading your items evenly across the cabinets, group them together in one area. This creates a stronger, more intentional focal point.

Pro Tip: One of my favorite design tricks is to mix old with new. Placing a rustic vintage breadboard behind a sleek, modern vase creates a beautiful visual tension. This contrast makes the entire display feel more current and thoughtfully styled, less like a museum exhibit.

Give your kitchen some history! Save this vintage decor inspiration!

7. Create a Functional Cookbook Nook

Displaying cookbooks is a practical and attractive way to add color and personality while also storing your collection. It’s a functional solution that celebrates your love for cooking.

Materials Needed:
* A selection of your most aesthetically pleasing hardcover cookbooks
* A pair of sturdy and stylish bookends (marble, metal, or wood work well)

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Curate your books. Select 5-10 of your favorite cookbooks, prioritizing those with attractive, colorful, or graphic spines.
2. Place the first bookend. Position one bookend firmly on one end of the cabinet space you plan to use.
3. Stack your books. Arrange the cookbooks vertically against the bookend. For extra visual interest, you can break up the line with a horizontal stack of 2-3 books.
4. Secure with the second bookend. Place the second bookend at the other side to hold the collection securely in place.
5. Add a small object. Consider placing a small plant or a ceramic pitcher next to the bookends to break up the straight lines and add another layer of decor.

Lesson Learned: Be selective. I recommend only displaying the cookbooks you find beautiful or use less frequently. Keep your well-loved, sauce-splattered paperbacks in a more accessible drawer or cabinet to maintain a clean, curated look up top.

Organize in style! Pin this cookbook display idea.

8. Embrace Versatility with a Seasonal Display

Using this space for seasonal decor is an easy and effective way to keep your kitchen feeling fresh and festive all year long. This approach allows you to make small, temporary updates that have a big impact.

Materials Needed:
* A base of neutral items that can stay year-round (e.g., a large wooden dough bowl, a set of white pitchers)
* Seasonal accents (e.g., faux mini pumpkins for fall, bottle brush trees for winter, faux lemons for summer)

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Establish your neutral base. Start with a versatile piece that can stay put all year. A large dough bowl, a wooden tray, or a set of 2-3 simple ceramic pitchers works perfectly.
2. For Fall: Fill your bowl with an assortment of faux pumpkins, gourds, and a few stems of autumn leaves.
3. For Winter: Swap the pumpkins for evergreen sprigs, pinecones, and maybe a string of battery-operated fairy lights for a magical glow. A few small bottle brush trees also look charming.
4. For Spring/Summer: Fill your pitchers with high-quality faux florals like tulips, lavender, or cherry blossoms. Or, for a fresh look, fill a bowl with faux lemons, limes, or artichokes.

Pro Tip: Invest in good quality faux seasonal items. They might cost a bit more upfront, but they can be reused year after year and will look much more elevated than cheap, plastic-looking decor. I keep mine in a labeled bin in the attic for an easy and exciting swap each season.

Get festive! Save this seasonal decor idea for your kitchen.

9. Go Minimalist with a Single Statement Piece

For a modern, high-impact look that is incredibly easy to maintain, embrace the power of a single, large-scale statement piece. This minimalist approach avoids clutter and feels intentional and confident.

Materials Needed:
* One large, impactful decorative object.

Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Choose one substantial item. The object must be large enough to command attention on its own. Think of a very large ceramic vase (without flowers), a piece of sculptural driftwood, or a significant piece of interesting pottery.
2. Focus on shape and texture. Since you’re only using one item, pick something with a unique silhouette or an interesting texture to create visual interest.
3. Place it off-center. Position the object on top of one section of your cabinets, not directly in the middle of the entire run.
4. Embrace the negative space. Leave the rest of the space above your cabinets completely empty. In minimalism, the “breathing room” or negative space is just as important as the object itself.
5. Resist adding more. That’s it. The beauty of this look is its simplicity.

Lesson Learned: The absolute key to pulling this off is scale. After trying this in a client’s home, I realized the object must be substantial enough to not look lost or lonely in the space. If it’s too small, the minimalist effect is completely diminished. Go bigger than you think you need to.

Love the clean look? Pin this minimalist idea now!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to what to put on top of kitchen cabinets

Feeling inspired? Here are the core principles to remember as you start styling the space above your own kitchen cabinets. Keep these rules in your back pocket for a flawless look every time.

• Think in Threes and Fives: Grouping items in odd numbers is almost always more visually appealing and dynamic than even numbers.
• Vary Your Heights: A mix of tall, medium, and short items creates a beautiful rhythm and keeps the eye moving.
• Layer Front to Back: Create depth by placing larger, flatter items (like art or trays) in the back and smaller, more dimensional objects in front.
• Prioritize Function or Form: Decide if your primary goal for the space is extra storage (baskets) or pure decoration (art, pottery), and choose your items accordingly.
• When in Doubt, Leave it Bare: Remember that clean, empty space is always a better option than cluttered, dated, or dusty decor.

People Also Ask About what to put on top of kitchen cabinets

Should you put things on top of your kitchen cabinets?

Yes, you can definitely put things on top of kitchen cabinets, and it is still in style when done correctly. The key for a modern look in 2024 is to be intentional. Avoid lots of small, unrelated items. Instead, opt for curated groupings of larger pieces like plants, baskets, or artwork that complement your kitchen’s overall design.

What can I put on top of kitchen cabinets to stop grease?

To stop grease and dust from accumulating directly on your cabinets, lay down a liner first. Wax paper or newspaper works perfectly for this. You can cut it to size so it isn’t visible from the ground. This makes cleaning incredibly easy—you can simply roll up and replace the liner every few months instead of scrubbing greasy surfaces.

How do you fill a large empty space above kitchen cabinets?

For high ceilings, you need to focus on larger-scale items to fill the vertical space appropriately. Consider tall vases, oversized artwork leaning against the wall, or a collection of large, substantial baskets. Small items will get lost and make the space feel even bigger and emptier. Another fantastic option is to draw the eye upward with subtle, warm accent lighting placed on top of the cabinets to wash the wall with a soft glow.

Final Thoughts

That once-awkward space above your kitchen cabinets doesn’t have to be a source of stress. See it as an opportunity—a final layer where you can add a touch of your unique personality to the heart of your home. Whether you choose lush greenery, smart storage with baskets, or a single piece of statement art, the best solution is the one that brings you joy and makes your kitchen feel more like you.

Now that you’re armed with fresh ideas, that empty space is your canvas. Go create something beautiful!

What are you planning to put above your kitchen cabinets? Share your ideas in the comments below