Do you ever look at that empty space above your kitchen cabinets and wonder if it could be put to better use?
And if it can, then how?
The obvious thing to do would be to simply use that space as an extra shelf. Most homeowners would love some extra storage space in the kitchen, and you’re probably no different in that respect.
Alternatively, you could add a little creativity into your kitchen cabinet design and turn that area into something that looks as good as it is practical. While the tops of your cabinets may not be at a natural eye-level, decorating them will leave you covered should any guests take a deep interest in your kitchen’s décor.
You could also combine the practical with the decorative and add something to your cabinet tops that achieves both. The choice, as ever, is yours.
Practical options
The space above your kitchen cabinets is a great place to put your bigger and less frequently used items, like large soup pots, slow cookers, blenders, and other appliances.
If storage space in the kitchen is tight, it can also be a good place to keep longer lasting ingredients that don’t require refrigerating. Adding baskets for items like onions, potatoes or garlic can be a real space saver in other areas of the kitchen.
If you plan to use the space above your kitchen cabinets purely for storage, you could consider installing a curtain above them. This would allow you to store almost anything up there without compromising the overall cabinet design.
Decorative options
There are a ton of decorative options for the space above your cabinets that can complement the cabinet design. The most obvious are some nice paintings or other artwork with colors that match your cabinets and wallpaper.
Fine china, silverware, or pottery can also be arranged above your cabinets for a classy look, while other options can bring a more rustic feel. Antique style watering cans or farmhouse themed items can often be found in second-hand shops or at craft fairs and garage sales.
Potted plants are another favorite for above-the-cabinet design. Fresh greenery will liven up your kitchen like nothing else can, while fake plants bring more convenience and a longer lasting addition to your cabinet design.
Practical and decorative options
If you can’t decide whether to be practical or decorative in using the space above your kitchen cabinets, you could just be both.
Consider using the space over your cabinets to store fragile, breakable objects that you need to keep safe. It may seem a strange idea to keep fragile items up high, but this will keep them out of the way of the normal hustle and bustle, as well as out of the reach of children.
Ornate or crafty baskets are another option that can improve your cabinet design. You have many choices, from bare-bones wire frame baskets that let you see the contents to solid baskets, often made from attractive natural wood.
If you’re feeling really inventive, consider some homemade storage bins for kitchen supplies and anything else you need to store. You can attach chalkboard labels to the front of them, and write or draw pictures of the contents.
Utilizing the space above your cabinets is a great way to maximize the room in your kitchen while also complementing the cabinet design itself.
You could go purely practical and store items out of necessity. You could go decidedly decorative and make a personal design statement. Or you could combine the two, and improve the look of your kitchen while adding storage space too.
