I'm bumping this and I think you're lacking color. Hopefully a designer will chime in

I don't think there is much you can do. If the cabinets were painted, I would paint the space above the same color. This is the problem in houses with these ridiculously high ceilings. Cabinets to the ceiling would require a library ladder and be useless.

I don't think that your cabinet color, floor color and countertop color are particularly harmonious with your wall color. I'd try some different colors on the wall, depending on how open this room is to the rest of your house/apt.

Reminds me of a warehouse. I would have the ceiling dropped.

Have you thought of adding beams to decrease the height of your kitchen? I can't see if there is an area that would allow a beams to look intentional...

The problem in your kitchen is not the negative space above the cabinets. It's your cabinetry color. You need to paint your cabinets a lighter color. Not only will that stop your kitchen from looking so dated, there will not be so much contrast between the cabinet color and the wall color, and then your eye won't be so drawn to that negative space.

I like the idea of the beams on the ceiling but if that isn't a possibility, what about more interesting lighting? Like chandeliers or something that would hang lower?

Or you could build up the molding on the tops of the cabinets to make them look a bit taller.

I respectfully disagree with others as I would put a few pieces up there. There is just too much space. On either side of the window I’d perhaps find 2 similar large plates or vases. Size is important. Or several large pitchers.

Where I live the new builds all have a lot of space above cabinets. Most have some type of decor and I’ve seen some very tastefully done.

Putting molding on top of cabinets as CBunny suggested would give a more interesting look as well as add height.

Decorate where the people are! Get lights with more visual presence and hang them lower, add a rich rug, get substantial bar stools,a more substantial window treatment, add some art to the walls.

If you decorate the room nicely, your high ceilings will look light and airy, not bare.

Don't decorate "high". People don't want to crane their necks when they walk into a room.

Cabinets are great but hardware would help a lot.

I have no idea about your style, I just grabbed some things off the Houzz products site for your room. As I mentioned above - substantial bar stools, art, lights, rug, window treatment, etc. will make the room look more finished and the ceiling area less bare.

Embrace the high ceiling. Consider adding a mural/graphics/wallpaper that extends onto the ceiling.

Great kitchen.

Please don't let anyone talk you into painting those cabinets.

You're fortunate to have the extra ceiling height and it does NOT look like a warehouse.

I'd probably want the base -- kick wall -- of the peninsula/bar to be wood paneled or painted a darker color less likely to show shoe smudges but, as long as that's not a problem for you -- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies.

If you want to minimize the visual impact of the space above your cabinets, consider painting that wall the same color as the ceiling.

If you want to utilize the space for storage (and not necessarily for kitchen items), take some measurements and see if you can find wooden boxes or foot lockers to set in a row above your cabinets; or not wood -- perhaps boxes made of a lighter material and painted to add your favorite color to your kitchen.

If the blank space is truly irritating to you, then adding interesting knobs to the cabinet doors could help draw attention away from the blank wall above the cabinets. and/or You may have room for a small rolling cart or wheeled table (round or square) painted in your favorite bright color to create a different visual focal point -- preferably a table or cart you could roll outside on a porch or deck or patio when entertaining outside.

Alternately, consider maximizing the impact of that open space -- it's just two short walls. Are there any local artists you would trust to paint a mural -- even just paint a blue sky, perhaps with a bit of puffy white clouds and/or even a rainbow there -- over which you could add a row of small "windows"?

I love the beams idea. But what about building open shelving? You can do a few "minimalist" display pieces for interest. Here's a (shorter) version along the lines of what I'm thinking. Just an idea. You could put lights in the cubbies for a little drama.

" Where on earth is that considered a good idea?"

South Philly. Trust me on this, Sophie. ;-)

Great idea--fake Chinese discount store 'wrought iron" clabbered together to fill (and draw attention to) a badly designed kitchen ceiling in a McMansion.

I felt a bit cynical when I though that the solution was to just drop the ceiling to a more normal height, but then someone else had the same idea. Go for it; that space is silly.

Honestly....I’d seriously consider dropping the ceiling. Beams would not work with the style of your space judging my the columns, so just do a lowered drywall ceiling. Do a tray if you must in middle.

Nothing wrong with high ceilings necessarily, but I think variation is important to prevent the warehouse feel and define the areas better (unless your house style is industrial warehouse!). 8’, 9’ , 12’, 20’, and even 7’....it is all good as long as suits the space. Most people don’t want to find themselves in a 20’ high powder room, nor a 7’ conference hall.

Dropping your kitchen ceiling, whether you leave space or leave some space and fill with crown or do some open shelving like Lisa G suggests, will lend a more intimate feel to your kitchen.

You have the right idea. Add a few pieces with different shapes and heights on top of the cabinets. A large beautiful vase, a pair of swans, a pitcher and bowl. Don't overwhelm the space with too many objects.

We had similar ceilings in our master bath and dropped the ceiling to 9'. It feels completely different now, in the best way. However, it is a lot of work and a big mess. I wouldn't touch the ceilings unless you were doing a complete reno.

Your kitchen is pretty and your ceilings (and columns) are "attributes" of a 90s house. Our house is from the same era. You may want to lower your pendant lights, and cabinet pulls would look nice and give you an opportunity to put your own decorative touch on your cabinets. One last thought, pick a color you love and get some accent pieces in that color. Doesn't have to be expensive: towels, a rug, a fruit bowl...It's going to draw your eye and make your kitchen a happier place to be.