Things You Should Never Do With The Empty Space Above Your Cabinets

Whether you prefer embracing negative space or you tend to fill any empty spots in your home with decor and storage, you'll likely agree that the top of your cabinets is prime real estate for a variety of items. High enough that you can stash both important or aesthetic pieces, and out of the way so that you're not taking up precious countertop or other surface areas, these spaces allow you to get creative and even elevate a room. So, it may be tempting to utilize these less visible areas to keep collections and important tools, appliances, and even knick-knacks safe and accessible. 

But using the tops of cabinets for storage also creates a fine line between style and chaos. While this spot offers a way to display or conceal belongings, there should be a plan behind what you want to keep here. You don't want to overdo it or just throw random assortments that will bring a cluttered vibe to the layout, either. Adding small items, decorating with tacky signs, or stashing objects that collect dust are all things you should avoid doing when styling and storing above your cabinets. 

Avoid filling the empty spots above your cabinets with too many small items. A collection of small pots, ornaments, dishes, cookery, or even artwork will get lost and end up making the space seem messy or cluttered as opposed to decorative. Because of the angle of your cabinets, no amount of shifting or placement will make everything properly visible, so the items up top will just look like a collection of junk rather than a curated layout.

Instead of hiding the gap above your cabinets completely or filling the space with an assortment of smaller items that will come off as clutter, use this space for larger pieces that both elevate and fill this negative space. Larger items with gaps between them make the finished design seem more intentional and less busy. Oversized vases or pots, big statues, or even cookware or cutting boards can be a great option and will stand out without creating chaos. You don't want this area to be too heavy, so depending on how much space you have, one to three larger items should be more than enough to decorate with. These also help to lengthen and extend your above-cabinet space, which will make the whole area feel taller and more spacious.

It's best to avoid anything that draws too much attention to the tops of cabinets as well. Oversized signs and phrases can feel tacky and draw the eye to an area that should feel more subtle and understated. This area isn't the main focal point of your kitchen, so don't create more fuss around it than is necessary. Save signs for wall hangings or countertops, keeping the space above your cabinets free for organized storage or a few simple decorative items like the oversized options mentioned above.

Another clever storage idea to utilize the space above cabinets is to keep your cookware and dinnerware up there. It's a great place to display coveted items like vintage tea pots or metal carafes, decorative serving plates that can be propped up, or even larger dishes that only get used for holidays and special occasions. Leave tarnished or stained porcelain, metal, and wood inside cabinets, but place new or only slightly used pieces above cabinets as a way to fill them in a decorative way. You can also spruce up this dead space by adding ambient lighting with string or remote operated lights that will illuminate the items.

Another big no-no for your empty spaces above your cabinets is anything that draws and collects copious amounts of dust. This could be an assortment of decorative items, including fake plants, fabric, covered ornaments, wicker baskets, or even various bowls that hold other decor. Because this area is not one you frequently interact with, chances are dust and dirt will accumulate fairly quickly and could even become noticeable from afar. This is especially true for faux plants and fabrics, which is why it's a good idea to save those for surfaces you can reach and dust more easily.

This doesn't mean you cannot use plants or baskets at all, but it is a good idea to keep these to a minimum. One larger plant can work, especially if you have a corner cabinet that opens out toward the rest of the room. This way, you can dust or water a plant there and add or remove things from a basket should you need to. That said, cookbooks or regular books can work on these top shelves, as they can either be stacked or propped upright to display the titles. You can use a duster to keep them clean and even swap them out seasonally to match holidays or color schemes.