I recently received a comment from a reader named Jessica who is having trouble decorating above her kitchen cabinets. She claimed that she is on a personal mission to eliminate dusty fake greenery from her home and needed some ideas. Here’s a pic of her kitchen that she sent:
First of all, I must commend her on being an OU fan – go Sooners! I also like the neutral paint color with the bright white trim. It’s the perfect canvas to add some pops of movable color in the decor. We have an older home and just have a soffit that houses an air duct above our cabinets instead of space, but I was up for this decor challenge!
The space above your cabinets can very well be the focal point of your kitchen, but how do you add visual interest without it looking like clutter? I love how in the above pic they used pieces from their kitchen that they already had (cake stands, cups, vases). It all flows together because each piece is ceramic or glass. One key is to pick a theme which can be a collection or simply a color.
Depending on the space, try using smaller groupings in odd numbers (3-5-7) instead of filling up the entire space. You’ll also want to vary the heights and textures of the pieces you use. Plates are great for reflecting the light in the room. Try to think outside the box. The R&R wooden letters are a fun element in the above pic as well as the round mirrors and pop of red the pot adds.
Even though Jessica is against dusty fake greenery, that doesn’t mean she can’t add natural elements. Obviously real flowers are impractical for everyday living like the above pic, but the textures in the placemat and fish-shaped basket add that bit of nature. I am also not opposed to fake plants that are more tropical or grass types than fern looking.
I would begin by going on a field trip around your home like I did in this post to gather items you think might work. Specifically focus on pieces in your kitchen like large platters, vases, serving dishes and plates. This serves a dual purpose because not only are you decorating without spending a penny, but you’re freeing up cabinet space! Think about different items you can stand up on plate holders like picture frames or mirrors.
If you feel like you need a few key pieces after you’ve used everything you already have, I suggest shopping at places like Kirkland’s, Pier 1, Hobby Lobby or Tuesday Morning. Anyone else have any fun suggestions for decorating in this difficult space? What theme is your kitchen? Good luck, Jessica – I hope these suggestions help and I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Above cabinet images found here, here, and here.
I started at Hancock Fabrics because I had a coupon and knew they were having a blow-out sale. Then I ventured to a local fabric store called Discount Fabrics which was recommended by a friend and finished up at Pier 1.
