If you have a builder grade kitchen with cabinetry and empty space above, this article is just for you. While many think that the top of the kitchen cabinet decor is outdated, we personally have to disagree with it. With the right styling and good eye, you can easily decorate the tops of your kitchen cabinets.
This article has a list of expert approved tips for decorating a kitchen with vases, cookbooks, wicker baskets, faux plants, wooden bowls, and much more. Whether you intend to get a farmhouse look or a more modern look for your kitchen, decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets is a great way to create a visual interest in your space.
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Keep reading to find some of the most beautiful and easy expert ways to decorate your kitchen cabinetry.
1. Choose Decorative Functional Items
“I maintain a contemplative yet elegant approach when selecting decorations for the upper parts of kitchen cabinets. We choose decorative functional items which include woven baskets along with stylish jars and greenery as our primary approach to cabinet decoration.
The addition of decorative elements brings both character and reassures visual fullness to the room. Our favorite method of achieving a warm evening atmosphere involves using soft LED lighting.
The idea worked exceptionally well for a modern farmhouse kitchen that we designed. The cabinets received a balanced arrangement of rustic wooden trays with ceramic vases alongside trailing plants.
Image by martaa_home
The added elements successfully combined to both solve the gap issue and create unity among kitchen colors which enhanced the space’s welcoming feeling. The incorporated greenery delivered fresh aspects which gently smoothed the overall appearance.
Successful maintenance of this area calls for decorative items that can be easily wiped down along with regular dusting. Placing numerous diminutive objects should be avoided since visual chaos will develop along with excessive dust accumulation.
A clean kitchen becomes simpler to maintain through fewer but larger decorative elements that maintain an elegant appearance.” – Nitya Seth, Interior Designer, NITYANAMYA
2. Curated Negative Space Approach
“The most successful kitchen cabinet-top styling follows what I call the “curated negative space” approach – it’s about being incredibly selective with decorative elements rather than filling every inch.
I recently transformed a client’s traditional kitchen by placing three oversized, handmade ceramic vessels of varying heights on one section of the cabinets, leaving other sections intentionally bare, which created a stunning visual rhythm that drew the eye upward without feeling cluttered.
The key is choosing pieces that have enough scale to hold their own at that height – think substantial items that are at least one-third the height of your cabinet-to-ceiling space, and always group items in odd numbers for visual interest.
Image by brooke.rowles
For maintenance, I recommend rotating your display pieces seasonally, which not only keeps the look fresh but creates a natural schedule for dealing with the inevitable dust buildup – my little hack is to place a sheet of wax paper underneath each item to make cleaning easier and protect both the cabinet top and your decorative pieces.
When selecting items, I always consider the kitchen’s sight lines from adjoining rooms and choose pieces that contribute to the overall story of the home – in that recent project, the ceramic vessels echoed design elements from the adjacent dining room, creating a beautiful sense of continuity that elevated the entire space.” – Inge Von Aulock, Head of Creative & Interior Design Consultant, Luxury Bedding Co.
3. Combine Decorative And Functional Pieces
“The tops of kitchen cabinets receive my decorative and functional piece combination which produces a well-balanced appearance. Green plants added to the decoration through potted plants and hanging vines create a natural, fresh aesthetic.
The top of kitchen cabinets gains character through decorative baskets alongside vases together with antique kitchenware which produces a warm ambiance. The kitchen design remains balanced by matching colors with the overall cabinet scheme.
We redesigned a tall room by placing woven baskets and ceramic dishes along with framed artwork across the upper parts of cabinets during our recent project. Our solution effectively used the opportunity to fill the space while delivering a perfect match to the client’s farmhouse aesthetic.
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The addition of various colored textures with layered heights generated a pleasing visual presentation which enhanced both the attractive features and fullness of the kitchen space.
Effective clearance of this area demands careful selection of items while keeping the number of pieces minimal so you can easily prevent clutter while performing cleaning duties. Regular dusting combined with periodic changes in displayed objects will result in a space that stays modern while also enhancing freshness.
The low-maintenance plants such as pothos and succulents offer a suitable option for real plant displays because they need minimal attention to flourish. The simple act of managing and decorating cabinet surfaces enhances the entire aesthetic appeal of any kitchen.” – David Miller, Owner, Freshinelife
4. Display Useful Art Pieces
“I’ve discovered from owning a furniture store that kitchen cabinet tops may serve as more than just a spot for sporadic decor. They can be used to display useful art pieces that have a purpose in addition to being beautiful. There are many advantages to storing things like specialty kitchenware or seasonal fruits in textured baskets or handcrafted bowls.
Image by anthropologieeu
I’ve even used homemade jars with unique designs to hold dry grains or plants. By combining form and function, this technique produces an ambiance that is both aesthetically pleasing and useful.
My experience has shown that using recycled wood or other sustainable materials adds authenticity and aligns with the growing eco-friendly living trend. You can use design and storytelling to turn this sometimes overlooked space into something that actually enhances the kitchen’s ambiance.” – Shaofeng Li, Founder and Designer, popmasion
5. Add Personal Flair And Charm
“I use kitchen countertops to give spaces their personal flair and distinctive charm when working as an interior designer. Decorative baskets and vases together with framed art pieces that match the kitchen color scheme form a basic design element of my projects.
These decorative items function by both filling up the available space while simultaneously pulling viewers’ sight toward the ceiling thereby creating a harmonious and stylish design. With faux greenery and trailing plants, I suggest designers enhance spaces naturally while avoiding regular maintenance needs.
Image by at_the_mcgillens
The project we remember most involved transforming a farmhouse kitchen using woven baskets and ceramic jars which produced a welcoming lived-in charm. These decorative items succeeded in creating warm attributes while bringing personality to the space without taking over the environment.
We added subtle soft LED strip lighting on cabinet tops to illuminate decorative elements thus creating a welcoming environment in low-light conditions.
Our goal is to help clients keep this area clean by choosing simple easy-to-clean items while ensuring regular dusting to prevent eventual grease buildup. The space stays fresh when you refresh decor items on a seasonal basis. Guided by practicality we need to manage an artistic equilibrium that enables the design to remain aesthetically pleasing and operationally effective.” – Nitya Seth, Interior Designer, NITYANAMYA
6. Transform Space With Neutral Tones
“We always say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but what about its crown? The space above the cabinets often feels forgotten, yet it holds the potential to turn a design from ordinary to extraordinary. In one home, we transformed an open-plan kitchen by curating an arrangement of neutral-toned vases and woven baskets.
These elements tied in seamlessly with the natural wood tones of the cabinetry, creating a layered and cohesive design. To add depth, we included soft greenery that drew the eye upward without overwhelming the space. The result? The room felt more expansive, with a touch of warmth that clients instantly fell in love with.
Image by myscandinavianhome
As with anything in design, “little things make big things happen.” Maintaining this space is key, and regular attention keeps the look fresh. A simple routine of dusting with a microfiber cloth every couple of weeks ensures everything stays crisp and clean, preventing accumulation without disrupting the design’s elegance. For kitchens with more humidity, opting for easily wipeable materials is a smart move. For added longevity, occasionally rotating decor pieces can keep the space feeling new and avoid monotony.
When done right, the space above the cabinets becomes a canvas of sorts, offering endless opportunities to add personality. It’s all about creating a space that feels effortless, welcoming, and true to the heart of the home.” – Dan Davidson, Founder & CEO, Build Team
7. Create Layers Of Interest
“My go-to strategy for decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets is to create layers of interest by mixing various materials and heights. I often start with a few large decorative pieces, such as ceramic vases or baskets, to serve as a focal point. Then, I add smaller items, like books or seasonal decor, to create visual depth.
Image by insideourcheltenham_
A memorable project that exemplifies this approach was a recent kitchen remodel. In it, we used reclaimed wood accents on the cabinet tops, paired with vibrant potted herbs and a few elegant cookbooks. It added rustic charm and brought color and life to the kitchen, making it feel warm and inviting. For maintenance, keep it simple. Dust the tops regularly to prevent buildup, and rotate decor seasonally to keep the space fresh.” – Josh Qian, COO and Co-Founder, Best Online Cabinets
8. Use Different Heights And Textures
“We frequently use different heights and textures to create a layered appearance. For example, adding a variety of ornamental pieces—such as handcrafted vases, old cookbooks arranged horizontally, and lush foliage in tumbling planters—can provide visual interest without taking over the room. To maintain the space’s freshness, rotate seasonal decor elements regularly.
Image by magda_78_
For instance, adding seasonal greenery or themed decorations might represent the changing seasons and holidays. Maintaining the visual attractiveness of the design is further enhanced by using a simple approach to prevent clutter. Homeowners can create a timeless, stylish kitchen by keeping things simple but well-curated.” – Matthew O’Grady, Director, Thomas Matthew Kitchens & Furntiure
9. Use Oversized Woven Baskets
“I am the type of person who likes to use oversized woven baskets on top of kitchen cabinets. They add warmth, texture, and a natural element that makes the space more inviting. The key is choosing baskets that have depth and an interesting weave instead of basic storage bins. A mix of sizes and shapes keeps it from looking too uniform, while sticking to a neutral palette helps everything feel cohesive.
The best part is that they are not just decorative. They are perfect for storing things you don’t need every day, like seasonal linens, extra serving platters, or even backup pantry items.
Image by valeria_cozyhome
Keeping the space clean is important since the tops of cabinets tend to collect dust and grease from cooking. I line the tops with a thin layer of wax paper that is easy to replace every few months. It catches buildup so I don’t have to constantly wipe down the baskets. Giving them a quick dusting with a microfiber cloth every few weeks keeps them looking fresh without much effort.
This setup adds character to the kitchen while staying practical, which is exactly what I want in a space that gets used every day.” – Jehann Biggs, President & Owner, In2Green
10. Blend Function With Charm
“To make the tops of kitchen cabinets shine, focus on blending function with charm. Add items like woven baskets, ceramic pitchers, or eye-catching greenery to give life to an often-overlooked space.
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For instance, in one of my projects, I paired cream-toned pottery with lush artificial garlands from KetieStory to create a cozy yet elegant vibe in a farmhouse-inspired kitchen. This combination naturally drew attention upward without feeling cluttered. To keep the space looking polished, dust lightly every week and swap decorative pieces seasonally for a refreshed look.” – Ketie Zhang, Founder, Ketie Story
FAQS
Q: Why decorate the tops of kitchen cabinets?
A: It transforms unused space into a design statement, adding personality and style to your kitchen.
Q: How can I choose items that complement my kitchen décor?
A: Select items that echo your kitchen’s color scheme and style, ensuring they harmonize with your overall aesthetic.
Q: Can I mix decorative and functional pieces?
A: Absolutely. Combining aesthetic items with functional elements like baskets or vintage dishware creates an engaging display.
Q: How do I keep the cabinet tops clutter-free?
A: Stick to a few statement pieces, regularly declutter, and consider seasonal rotations for a fresh look.
Q: Are there budget-friendly decorating tips?
A: Yes, repurpose items you already own or explore thrift shops to find unique, affordable decor options.
If you love these ideas, don’t forget to pin the above image to your “Home and Garden” board.
