11 Creative Ways To Style The Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets

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A Good Housekeeping report outlines 11 ways to use the often-unused area above kitchen cabinets, including storage for infrequently used pantry goods and household items, as well as displays of art, plants and decorative objects. The suggestions are styling ideas, not evidence that every cabinet-top space is suitable for food storage or plants.

Good Housekeeping has published 11 ideas for using the space above kitchen cabinets, a commonly overlooked area that can serve as extra storage or a place to display decor. The report ranges from wicker baskets for infrequently used items to artwork, plants, cookbooks and decorative objects, offering options for homeowners who want to make use of the area without crowding their counters.

Several suggestions focus on storage. The report recommends using baskets for backup pantry items or objects that are not needed often, such as small appliances and seasonal dish towels. It also proposes storing extra ingredients in attractive jars and using dividers to create cubbies for baskets where there is open space above cabinets. The article frames these as ways to keep occasional-use items accessible but out of the main work area.

Other ideas treat the cabinet tops as display space. Good Housekeeping suggests leaning artwork against the wall, arranging vases, sculptures and cutting boards, or grouping cookbooks as decor. It notes that books placed high may be difficult to retrieve regularly. Houseplants are another option in a sunny kitchen, while small accents, wicker or rattan, and natural textures can add visual interest. The report also describes a statement light fixture as a way to draw attention upward.

The article is credited to Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy lead. Its examples draw on kitchens and styling ideas attributed to designers, bloggers and photographers. The supplied source does not provide testing, cost comparisons or measurements for the recommendations.

Storage and Style Above the Cabinets

The ideas address a practical design trade-off: cabinet tops can add storage, but visible clutter may make a kitchen feel busy. Baskets and containers offer a way to group objects; decorative arrangements can use the same area to add color, greenery or texture without taking up counter space. For readers with limited storage, the distinction between daily-use items and backups is particularly relevant, since the report cautions that high displays such as cookbooks may not be convenient to access frequently.

The suggestions are not a universal prescription. A cabinet’s height, the space available, light conditions and the homeowner’s cleaning routine affect which approach is workable. The report presents a menu of styling options rather than a tested method for increasing storage or changing how large a room appears.

How the 11 Ideas Are Grouped

The source organizes its recommendations around two uses for the area: concealed or grouped storage and open display. Storage examples include pantry backups, dry ingredients in jars, baskets for occasional-use belongings and cubbies made with dividers. Display examples include artwork, cookbooks, houseplants, vases, sculptures, cutting boards and smaller decorative pieces.

Material and arrangement are part of the report’s styling approach. Wicker and rattan baskets can provide texture while holding items, and natural materials such as pampas grass are suggested for adding warmth. The article also describes layering small decor for a cottage-inspired look. These are attributed design suggestions; the source does not establish that one style or material is preferable for all kitchens.

Practical Limits Depend on Each Kitchen

The source does not specify weight limits, cabinet construction requirements or how much clearance should be left between items and the ceiling. It also does not explain how often displayed objects should be cleaned, or whether every kitchen’s light and temperature conditions suit plants or stored ingredients. Its suggestions to place flour, sugar and grains in jars do not include storage instructions or food-safety guidance.

Readers should treat the list as general inspiration, not confirmation that any item can safely or conveniently be stored overhead. The best choice depends on the space and the items involved; the report does not include product tests, expert safety advice or follow-up results.

Choose an Approach for Your Space

The report does not announce a follow-up project or additional publication. Readers can use its 11 suggestions to decide whether the area above their cabinets is better suited to occasional-use storage, a simple display or a mix. Before placing items there, they can account for access, available light and the effort required to keep the space clean. No further developments are stated in the supplied material.

Key Questions

What are the main ways to use space above kitchen cabinets?

Good Housekeeping suggests using the area for backup pantry supplies and infrequently used belongings, or displaying artwork, cookbooks, plants, vases, sculptures and other decor.

Are cookbooks practical to store above cabinets?

The report presents cookbooks mainly as display items and notes they may be difficult to pull down regularly when stored above cabinets.

What can baskets hold above kitchen cabinets?

The article suggests baskets for backup ingredients, small appliances and seasonal dish towels. These are examples rather than a guarantee that every cabinet-top location is suitable for storage.

Does the report give safety or cleaning instructions?

No. The supplied material does not provide weight limits, cleaning schedules or food-storage guidance. Those details may depend on the kitchen and the items being stored.

Source: rss