Let The Top Of Your Cabinets Pull Double-Duty By Organizing And Displaying Vases

The open space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling in many kitchens is an awkward area to figure out what to do with. Many newer homes often feature higher ceilings, despite cabinets usually topping out at a certain height to keep them accessible from the ground. While many new builds and remodels have been filling this space with higher cabinets or clever camouflage to hide the gap, you may be looking for ways to make the area both useful and attractive instead. To spruce up the dead space above your kitchen cabinets, consider storing your vases and other pottery pieces up there for an instant storage solution. This will keep them from hogging up cabinet space while also giving you a chance to display the visual beauty of a well-curated collection of vessels. 

Over time, you can amass many vases. Some may have been gifts that come with flower arrangements, while others are fun homestore or thrifting finds you just need to bring home with you. Since vases are usually in line with your aesthetic and décor, it seems a shame to keep them tucked away in a dark cabinet or closet whenever they're not in use. By lining them up or creating tableaus on top of your cabinets and taking advantage of this clever storage idea, you can see everything at a glance, which means you won't so easily forget what you have. It may also just remind you or your partner to bring home some flowers on occasion, just because. 

When arranging vases on top of your cabinets, choose a range of sizes and shapes for the best results. Go by the rule of threes, which dictates that odd numbered groupings of three can create harmony and balance. Many designers talk about creating a design triangle with assembled objects that draws the eye upward, making any space feel taller and more vast. Utilize these principles in setting up your vases. Instead of lining them up like a store shelf, group certain pieces together. Keep in mind that you may also need to elevate the vases so they can be seen above the edge of your cabinets. Look around your home for items like shoe boxes or large books to use for this purpose.

Another way to add more visual interest when storing vases on a shelf is to mix different textures, be they shiny glass, sleek matte ceramics, or hand-hewn pottery. This is a great chance to add additional texture to your room that's up and out of the way of what may be any high traffic or already-occupied counters. Also, don't be afraid to mix the vases with other elements like baskets, real or faux plants, drink pitchers, or stacks of cookbooks to create levels and layers. You can also add faux flowers or greenery to them when they're not filled with real flowers.