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Home Decorating Remodeling Kitchens

Open space above cabinets

6 years ago

Our home was built in 1979 before higher ceilings and to top it off, kitchens and bathrooms had dropped ceilings with enclosed lighting. We have removed the drop ceiling in the kitchen and now I have about a 14" area above cabinets. I know people used to put greenery or real plants in the area or decorative dishes, etc. I wonder what would be more appropriate now. I love how open it has made the kitchen look and I don't want to take away from it now.

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The Kitchen Place

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I would add a nice crown molding and just leave it alone. Maybe paint the walls a darker contrasting color. Plants on tops of cabinets was popular in the 80s and early 90s. I wouldn't do that...looks dated. Especially Ivy. A few key decorative pieces would be OK, but don't overdo it. Post a picture? Here are some more ideas...but NO to the curtain! https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/news/g2283/space-above-kitchen-cabinets/

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Comments (8)

KD
6 years ago
You don’t really NEED to put anything up there. Just because there is space it doesn’t mean you have to fill it.

I did know one person who had something odd up there (like a cow sculpture or something) just to see who noticed it, but that was for fun not a decorative requirement.
mboston_gw thanked KD
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Looks like an 8 foot ceiling. Pendants aren't always recommended with lower ceilings like that as they can't hang far enough down to look balanced or will simply be too low for clearance. That doesn't mean you can't but it may limit options on what you can use without it looking awkward. I would rule them out altogether for your central lights as they will simply be too low, but they may work for the peninsula. Consider recessed first, but if you want the lights to serve a decorative purpose, start looking at flush and semi-flush options. I personally like using above cabinets as display space and use led lighting to give some extra pizzazz. Looks really cool at night running only above and below cabinet lights. But, filling the space above with additional cabinets or fake cabinets is definitely a common approach. I would not raise existing cabinets as that would reduce function from being up so high. Kitchens with cabinets to the ceiling tend to use taller cabinets than the standard 30" in your kitchen.
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mark_rachel
6 years ago
The only thing I put about my cabinets are a few large vases that were my grandmothers. I like seeing them & they are not safe anywhere else with some children.
mboston_gw thanked mark_rachel
friedajune
6 years ago
I agree with Mark_Rachel's post - only put something up there if it's very special. Otherwise leave that space empty.

If you decide in the future to replace your kitchen cabinets, replace them with taller cabinets that go up to the ceiling.
mboston_gw thanked friedajune
mboston_gw
Original Author
6 years ago
We considered new cabinets but honestly, it would cost a small fortune to get the quality of cabinets we have now and if they went to the ceiling, I wouldn't be able to reach anything in them, even on a step stool (I'm less than 5' tall.) I actually like the open look and would only add a few items if any at all. I don't want stuff I have to climb on my counter top to clean either but wondered if nothing at all would make it look unfinished. We are going to add some molding and I could use a shade darker paint that we used in the bordering family room. Thanks all.
sheloveslayouts
6 years ago
I've always thought raising uppers and adding a shelf below is a clever solution.
User
6 years ago
I would not put anything above it -- that fake greenery to me is dated. Besides, it's not an easy place to clean if you put something else up there.
junco East Georgia zone 8a
6 years ago
It is strictly a personal choice. I use that space for part of my collection of vintage pitchers--the biggest ones are arranged up there. I have a length of string lights winding among them for uplighting. I suggest you put some lights up there and then try a few decorative items to see if you like the look.

PS--my pitchers get cleaned once a year or so, but that suits my cleaning style. It's a matter of what is most important to you.

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