21 Examples of the Space above your Kitchen Cabinets

If you have a kitchen with cabinets you know there are two options for a kitchen: cabinets that extend all the way to the ceiling or cabinets with something above them. Now that something may be empty space, it may be drywall, it may be glass fronted cabinet doors or it may be additional open shelving… but it’s something.

Something fills that empty space between your cabinets and your ceiling! Our current house has drywall which is a neat and tidy way to fill the void but honestly, I would rather have space to decorate with fun kitchen items! I love to add fun decorative pieces to a space and the kitchen can be a great place use items that are functional but also really fun (like pots on a pretty pot rack or gorgeous spice jars!).

Or even antique ice cream machines!

Ok that one may not be 100% practical… you know since my antique ice cream machine is no longer working. But if it did work it would be functional and fun!

But since not everyone has the same taste in funky ice cream accessories… so here are 21 examples of the space above your kitchen cabinets! Maybe you’ll find the perfect solution for your space.

(Pssst! Love one of these kitchens? Click on the photo to find the original source! Many of these kitchens have more pictures of the entire kitchen!)

Decorations above your Cabinets!

I love the baskets in this first space! It’s such a great way to store those out of sight, need once in a while items! I have sooo many seasonal decorations and I do use them! Do I use them every day? Nope! Do they need to be on display? They could be but I’d much rather tuck them into a basket out of sight.

I love this little collection of water pitchers! Anytime you have a gorgeous collection of items it’s a great opportunity for a little display. Especially because these little pitchers are very similar in color to the wall color so they flow sooooo beautifully!

I think the new motto of my life is “when in doubt put a cow on it” Miss Mustard Seed has taught me this philosophy and I love it. I mean how pretty is her kitchen?! Here’s a good example of less is more… she has plenty of space for tchotche’s over her counters but a simple boxwood wreath, cow bust and grocery sign is enough to make this kitchen sign.

Drywall above your Cabinets

This one isn’t quite as fun but it is very elegant… extending that drywall to the ceiling (whether in a smooth sheet or with moldings like the first photo) really extends the cabinets alllll the way to the ceiling. I mean just look at the molding here… it blends so effortlessly into the range-hood!

Open Shelves at the Top of your Cabinets

I think open cabinets are solely for decorative purposes… I mean you’re not going to shove your kids sippy cubs up there and put them on display! I mean maybe you are but probably not.

Open shelves are great for your pretty dishes or china… or your giant pitcher collection! Why does everyone have giant pitcher collections?

More baskets! A girl after my own heart!

Gorgeous Open Shelving

This ones kind of not above your cabinets but I think it counts. If you have beautiful open shelving then balancing out the business of the shelves with calm space above your cabinets is the perfect combination! Plus open shelving gives you a bit more space for those funky accessories or pops of color. How much do you love the pops of teal on these open shelves?!