Ten gorgeous ways to decorate the space above your kitchen cabinets

You may be wondering what to do with the space above your kitchen cabinets if there is one. Instead of leaving that empty space above your kitchen cabinets to collect dust, fill it with something beautiful!  

These ideas for decorating above kitchen cabinets will give you the inspiration you need to make a scheme that fits your home's period, your decorating style, and the room's proportions, whether you prefer a classic look with lots of detailing or something more modern.  

These ingenious kitchen wall decor ideas for above cabinets are sure to spark your imagination and fulfill your wildest kitchen decorating fantasies.

Ten creative ways to decorate the space above your kitchen cabinets

We polled interior designers for their best advice on how to decorate the space above kitchen cabinets. Including them in your list of must-haves will guarantee a more charming space and need not drive up your budget, but will create a one-of-a-kind room you and your guests will want to spend time in.

Above cabinets, use an accent color.

(Neptune image courtesy of Boris L.)

It's easy to add dramatic contrast to a space by placing an accent color high above people's heads. According to George Miller, a home designer for Neptune, the accent color isn't necessarily meant to be the focal point, but rather to draw the eye up for a visual surprise. (Link opens in new window) This can have a particularly pleasing effect in rooms with high ceilings or elaborate cornices. ’ 

The kitchen's color scheme being carried out across multiple planes and surfaces, such as the cooker hood, creates a blocking effect that is both contemporary and useful for concealing any rough edges in the building's layout.

Add more visual appeal

Illustration by Jessica Summer.

Kitchens can be made more fun by experimenting with wall art and hanging it above cabinets and shelves. We can't help but agree with those who think artwork is just as welcome in the kitchen as it is in any other room.

Designer Jessica Summer is quoted here. (Link opens in a new window/tab) establishes a rustic vibe with warm tones and a wealth of texture The antique butcher block and open shelves add a touch of tradition, while the modern, sleek cabinetry helps to showcase the materials above. ’ 

Third, install wall and ceiling panels

(Photo by Radu Palicia / Charlotte Crosland Interiors)

Wall panels are a great way to spruce up the monotonous wall space above a kitchen cabinet. Wall paneling ideas that match or complement the original style and architecture of a period property are a great way to seamlessly blend the building's historic past with its modern renovation. Alternatively, a paneled area is an ingenious way to add personality to a featureless space, such as a plain kitchen that lacks decorative details or original architecture of its own.

To create the look and feel of a French country kitchen, designer Charlotte Crosland used tongue-and-groove paneling, linen curtains, and wall-mounted storage. It's a new tab that opens up the full article. Magnetic knife blocks, utensil racks, and pot stands keep your batterie de cuisine out in the open and within easy reach, contributing to the casual, "unfitted" ambiance. Chic vintage porcelain, enamelware, and paintings depicting outdoor activities are all typical brocante additions.

4. Display your favorite mementos in the empty space above your cabinets.

Alice Naylor-Leyland of Mrs. Alice)

According to Emma Bulmer, head color consultant at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, "colorful kitchen ideas have been enjoying rather a renaissance," with brighter colors on walls, cabinets, and even ceilings. It's a new tab that opens up the full article. "The use of color, and the confidence with which it is used, is becoming increasingly inventive and daring. ' 

Put some decorative effort into the area between your cabinets and the ceiling. A lack of upper cabinets creates a sense of airiness in this kitchen; the soft pink paint and artwork add a touch of personality. ’ 

Improve your performance.

Photo by Mary Wadsworth.

To decorate above kitchen cabinets, the only limit is the ceiling. SPPARC, an architectural firm, has the inside scoop on making the most of statement ceilings.  

Trevor Morriss, an architect with SPPARC, explains that "ceiling ideas featuring interesting shapes and materials can be used to achieve an articulation and rhythm with architectural features elsewhere." In this case, the floating stairs connect the kitchen with the living areas above. (link opens in a new tab) This thick ceiling is made from stained ash and oak, and it will be the talk of the town.

Enhance the pleasure of your guests by using these six decorating tips

(DeVOL has been credited for the image)

Create a space that performs and looks great with these wallpaper ideas. Kitchen wallpaper ideas are a lovely way to spruce up the space above your cabinets, and you can choose from a dizzying array of paint colors, wallpaper and fabric patterns. Traditional paper patterns, such as those shown here, are often block-printed using the same techniques that were used centuries ago. Botanical prints, checks, and stripes are not only timeless but also highly fashionable right now.  

Wallpapers made for kitchens and bathrooms are particularly durable, and we see many clients combining tiled walls with wallpapers to great visual effect – in fact, people seem to go bolder in the kitchen as it is a creative space,' says Paula Taylor, head stylist and trend specialist at Graham & Brown (link opens in new window/tab)

Develop a shrewd exhibit 7

Photo by Paul Massey, courtesy of Sculleries of Stockbridge.

It's possible that the benefits of extending your kitchen backsplash into the room will outweigh the extra square footage it requires. Roddy Murray, who started RJ Murray Design, is pictured here in his eatery's kitchen. (Link opens in a new window/tab) , is a marble backsplash for the kitchen that not only creates cubby-style storage space but also a shelf above for displaying the couple's most prized dishes and cookware.

8. Shine a light

(Image credit: Kitchens By Holloways)

It's easy to overlook the importance of proper lighting in the kitchen when decorating the space above the cabinets. However, a few LED strips can go a long way in the kitchen, bringing shelving to life and dialling the mood to relax It's important to have an early conversation with your designer because the most sophisticated solutions are invisible when the lights are out.  

Mark Holloway, managing director, Kitchens By Holloways, says, "It is essential to ensure that the LED strips are properly set into recesses within the shelves or cabinetry." In this new window: For the best illumination and to hide any unsightly fixtures, turn them at a 45-degree angle against a wall. ’ 

9 - Include a few flourishes

Credit for the image goes to Studio Jake Arnold.

Interior design's raison d'etre is to come up with stylish yet functional solutions to people's living spaces, and Jake Arnold has done just that. (link opens in a new tab) succeeded in doing so

Your existing kitchen ideas can be transformed into a decorative room that is truly spectacular with careful consideration of materials and their placement. The decorative items placed atop the kitchen cabinets in this California home serve as the room's focal point. These materials are intriguing, but they complement the existing decor without clashing or overwhelming the small space.

Ten. Create an art display wall.

(Future / Paul Massey)

It may come as a surprise, but more and more people are trying out creative gallery wall ideas in the kitchen. While at first glance this might not be the best place to show off your pricey art collection, it has the potential to become your most admired display if you do it justice.

If you're truly committed, you should hang your gallery wall above the backsplash or on a shelf out of the way of the stove and sink. However, before doing so, you must consult with an expert framer. Runway Gallery owner Daniel Syrett warns that "objects you might not notice, like kettles and toasters, can cause damage." The artwork must be sealed in a specific manner if it is to be hung in a kitchen. ’

No, to put it briefly. The space above your kitchen cabinets is a great place to add decorative style, modern flair, and textural variety to your kitchen.  

Various exciting methods of kitchen decoration and layouts exist. Prioritize your preferences, such as your favorite colors, patterns, or textures. Next, visualize how all of these parts can come together to form a unified, visually appealing whole.  

You can start adding color and pattern contrast to the area above your kitchen cabinets with art or ceramic objects even if you aren't planning a full remodel.