Decorating above kitchen cabinets – 10 ways to make a beautiful statement
You may wonder what to do with the space above your kitchen cabinets. It prevents the area above your kitchen cabinets from collecting dust and may also be turned into a visually appealing focal point.
These ideas for decorating above kitchen cabinets will give you the inspiration you need to make a plan that fits your home’s era, your decorating style, and the room’s proportions, whether you want a classic appearance with plenty of decoration or something more modern.
If you need more inspiration for your kitchen’s wall decor, check out these ingenious ideas for decorating above kitchen cabinets.
DECORATING ABOVE KITCHEN CABINETS – 10 WAYS TO ADD INTEREST
We consulted interior designers to learn their preferred methods for enhancing the space above kitchen cabinets. Including them in your list of must-haves will guarantee a more charming place and need not drive up your price but will produce a one-of-a-kind area you and your visitors will want to spend time in.
1. USE AN ACCENT COLOR ABOVE CABINETS
“An easy approach to provide a dramatic contrast to a room without making it feel overpowering is to use an accent colour far above people’s heads.” Neptune interior designer George Miller says the key to using an accent colour well is to ensure it isn’t the dominant hue in the room. This can be used to great advantage to highlight high ceilings or elaborate cornices, which is why it is recommended for spaces with these design elements.
The blocking effect created by carrying the kitchen colour scheme across different surfaces and planes, such as the cooker hood, in this case, is contemporary and can help smooth out problematic architectural junctures.
2. ENHANCE THE VISUAL INTEREST
Add colour and life to your kitchen by hanging artwork on the walls above your cabinets and shelves. We can’t help but agree with those who say the artwork is as welcome in the kitchen as it is in the living room or bedroom.
Interior designer Jessica Summer creates a warm and inviting space by incorporating natural materials and a variety of textures. It’s been said that the kitchen’s “cabinetry is basic and contemporary to allow the materials above to stand out, but also to balance the historical aspects like the antique butcher’s block and open shelving.”
3. TAKE PANELING TO THE CEILING
Use wall panels to spruce up the monotonous area above your kitchen cabinet. Wall panelling ideas that match or enhance a period home’s original style and architecture are an excellent method to blend the old and the new. Alternatively, a panelled area is a perfect way to add personality to a featureless kitchen without ornamental accents or original architecture.
A French country kitchen vibe was sought after while designing this space by Charlotte Crosland, and the tongue-and-groove panelling, linen curtains, and wall-mounted storage elements all contributed (opens in new tab). The casual, “unfitted” vibe is enhanced by keeping your batterie de cuisine on display and within easy reach with magnetic knife blocks, utensil racks, and pot stands. Use stylish old porcelain, enamelware, and paintings about rural life as examples of typical brocante findings.
4. FILL THE SPACE ABOVE CABINETS WITH OBJECTS YOU LOVE
“Colorful kitchen concepts have been enjoying a rebirth rather,” says Emma Bulmer, lead colour consultant at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. “We see brighter colours on walls, cabinets, and even ceilings.” The use of colour and the boldness with which it is used are both on the rise.
To make a room genuinely shine, take advantage of the blank canvas created by the gap between the upper cabinets and the ceiling. There are no upper cabinets, which helps the room feel airier, and the dusky pink paint colour and artwork help make the kitchen feel more like home.
5. RAISE YOUR GAME
(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)
If you want to go all out with your kitchen decor, there’s no limit to where you can hang things from the ceiling above the cabinets. The architectural firm SPARC has the inside scoop on how to make the most of dramatic ceilings.
According to SPPARC’s Trevor Morriss, “ceiling ideas including intriguing shapes and materials can be employed to generate an articulation and rhythm with architectural features elsewhere.” In this example, the floating stairs connect the kitchen to the living spaces above. This hefty ceiling, crafted from stained ash and oak, will start a conversation.
6. DECORATE TO DELIGHT
Put your imprint on a space with wallpaper designs that are a visual feast for the eyes and the mind. There is a wide variety of paint colours, wallpaper and fabric designs, and other materials to pick from, making kitchen wallpaper ideas a lovely way to decorate above kitchen cabinets. Patterns on traditional papers, which were often influenced by nature such as this, are generally block-printed in the same way they were initially made. Timeless patterns like florals, stripes, and checks are currently riding high in fashion.
Paula Taylor, head stylist and trend specialist at Graham & Brown, says, “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.” This is because kitchen and bathroom wallpapers are made to withstand the moisture and steam found in these environments.
7. CURATE A SMART DISPLAY
Adding an extended backsplash to your kitchen may be more beneficial than the extra area required. Here in the kitchen of Roddy Murray, founder of interior design firm RJ Murray Design, a marble kitchen backsplash creates a shelf above to exhibit the couple’s favourite pieces of china and kitchenware and provides smart cubby-style kitchen storage within.
8. LIGHT THE WAY
It’s easy to overlook the importance of kitchen lighting while designing the space above the cabinets. A small investment in LED strips for the kitchen can go a long way toward illuminating the shelves and setting the tone for a soothing meal. The most innovative solutions are invisible when the lights are out, so planning with your designer is essential.
Mark Holloway, CEO of Kitchens By Holloways, says, “It is crucial to ensure that the LED strips are properly fitted into recesses within the shelves or cabinetry.” To get the most out of your lights without distracting reflections or prominent fixtures, try angling them at 45 degrees back towards the wall.
9. INTRODUCE DECORATIVE ELEMENTS
Jake Arnold has accomplished the goal of interior design: to come up with tasteful, functional, and individualized room concepts that meet the demands of the people who will be occupying them.
You can turn your ordinary kitchen into a showpiece by carefully considering the materials you use and where you put them. Decorations atop the kitchen cabinets in this California home serve as a focal point for the room. These materials liven up the space without clashing or dominating an area of this size.
10. INSTALL A GALLERY WALL
In what may seem like an unlikely place, more and more people are trying out gorgeous gallery wall ideas in the kitchen. Although this may not be the obvious choice for showcasing your priceless art collection, it will surely be one of your most admired pieces if done correctly.
If you are genuinely committed to your cause, move your gallery wall above the backsplash or to a shelf far from the sink and stove. However, you must first consult with a professional framer for advice. “Things you would not see, like kettles and toasters, can cause damage,” explains Daniel Syrett, owner of Runway Gallery. If destined for a kitchen, artwork must be sealed in a specific manner.
IS DECORATING ABOVE KITCHEN CABINETS OUTDATED?
In a word, no. Above-cabinet decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you like, and there are many options for giving your kitchen a fresh, modern look and feel and adding visual and textural appeal.
There are many unique kitchen styling techniques and ideas to pick from. First and foremost, you should focus on what you adore, whether specific colours, patterns or textures. Next, consider how these parts can collaborate to form a unified, lavishly ornamented pattern.
An excellent spot to start introducing some much-needed colour and pattern contrast above your kitchen cabinets is with artwork or ceramic objects, especially if you aren’t planning a total overhaul.
