16+ Stylish Space Above Cabinets Ideas for Small Kitchens

That awkward gap above cabinets can make a kitchen feel unfinished, especially in a small apartment.

Make a Corner Nook Look Designed

Turn that awkward cabinet corner into a designed nook with one sculptural statement vase.

Those deep corners above cabinets used to be my dead zone until I grouped three items with different heights and called it a vignette. Now it reads like a purposeful corner moment, not an awkward afterthought.

Possibly helpful picks:

Ceramic or Metal Vase Set: Add immediate height and texture to empty corners with a sculptural vase that anchors your decorative grouping.
Decorative Wooden Cutting Boards: Lean natural wood boards against the wall to bring warmth and create a layered backdrop for smaller items.
Dried Pampas Grass or Artificial Stems: Soften hard cabinet edges and add necessary vertical drama without worrying about watering or maintenance.

Use Matching Baskets for Hidden Storage

Matching baskets above cabinets hide bulky extras while keeping your tiny kitchen calm and cohesive.

In my tiny kitchen, I use basket storage above cabinets to hide rarely used stuff like party napkins and big mixing bowls. Keeping the baskets similar in color instantly made the whole wall look calmer and more intentional.

Useful items to consider:

Round Lidded Woven Baskets: Conceal clutter overhead with these natural round organizers that keep contents dust-free while adding gentle texture.
Faux Pampas Grass Decor: Add height and soft botanical elements to your upper storage displays for a cozy, organic aesthetic.
Small Ceramic Storage Canisters: Group these small accent jars on trays or shelves to store tiny loose items stylishly.

Create a Simple Greenery Line

A simple faux greenery line above cabinets adds cozy softness—no watering required.

When I had a narrow gap above cabinets, I tucked in a few strands of faux greenery to soften the hard cabinet lines. It gave me that cozy, lived-in look without the stress of watering anything up high.

Maybe worth checking out:

Faux Eucalyptus Garland: Drape these realistic leaves along your cabinets to add instant, maintenance-free texture and natural warmth anytime.
Artificial Potted Hanging Plants: Place these small trailing plants on top of cabinets to create cascading green visual interest effortlessly.
Dried Pampas Grass Decor: Tuck stems of soft grass into your greenery arrangement to add subtle, airy texture and contrast.

Stack Cookbooks Like a Mini Library

Turn the space above cabinets into a mini cookbook library—styled stacks + one ceramic accent.

I started storing my heavier books above cabinets because they were hogging precious counter space. A few horizontal stacks with one small decorative piece on top made it feel styled instead of cluttered.

May just do the trick:

Decorative hardcover books: Create instant height and visual interest by stacking neutral or color-coordinated hardcover books horizontally.
Ceramic bud vase: Top your book stack with a small, textured ceramic vase to add an artistic sculptural element.
Dried floral bouquet: Fill your vase with dried florals or grasses to bring natural texture and height without maintenance.

Display Oversized Serving Pieces

Turn the space above cabinets into a bold display with one oversized artisan serving platter.

The space above cabinets is where I keep my tall platters and big serving bowls that never fit behind doors. It’s practical for small kitchens, and the larger shapes fill that empty gap fast.

Check these products out:

Large Ceramic Serving Bowl: Add rustic charm and practical storage by displaying oversized, earth-toned ceramic bowls on your upper cabinets.
Round Wooden Serving Platter: Warm up your kitchen’s aesthetic by leaning large, natural wood trays against the wall above your cupboards.
Stoneware Pitcher Vase: Fill awkward vertical gaps with tall, neutral stoneware pitchers that double as vases for dried botanicals.

Lean Framed Art for Instant Height

Lean one oversized frame above cabinets to add instant height—renter-friendly and chic.

I’ve leaned a few frames above cabinets to draw the eye upward and make my ceiling feel higher. It’s also renter-friendly because you’re not committing to extra holes in the wall.

Give these a look:

Large Natural Wood Frames: Choose light wood frames to create a breezy, modern look while adding elegant height to your room.
Abstract Botanical Art Prints: Incorporate warm-toned abstract or botanical prints to bring organic shapes and cozy vibes to your kitchen space.
Non-Slip Clear Bumpers: Secure your leaning frames discreetly with simple rubber bumpers to prevent slipping and protect your cabinet surfaces.

Repeat One Collection for a Clean Look

Create a clean above-cabinet look by repeating one handcrafted ceramic pitcher collection.

One of my favorite tricks above cabinets is repeating a single item type, like pitchers or vases, so it reads like a collection instead of random stuff. I learned the hard way that consistency beats “a little of everything” up there.

Possibly handy products:

Ceramic Stoneware Pitchers: Line up these rustic pitchers to creates a uniform, curated look that adds height and texture above cabinets.
Wooden Serving Bowls: Display a series of warm wood bowls to bring organic texture and a cozy feel to open spaces.
Lidded Ceramic Canisters: Group matching canisters together to fill awkward gaps with functional storage that maintains a clean, organized aesthetic.

Use Lidded Containers for Pantry Backup

Store pantry backups above cabinets in a chic lidded canister—no dust, no crumbs.

I’ve used the area above cabinets as extra pantry storage for backstock like paper goods and unopened dry items. Just make sure everything is sealed, because you don’t want mystery crumbs living up there.

A few choices to try:

Ceramic Canister with Wood Lid: Store your dry pantry goods in style using these durable jars that keep essentials fresh and organize your shelves.
Wooden Serving Tray: Corral smaller items or display decorative pieces neatly above your cabinets to create a clutter-free, cohesive look.
Decorative Wooden Cutting Board: Add warmth and height to your display by leaning these boards against the wall for an aesthetic kitchen vignette.

Build a Soft Seasonal Swap Zone

A soft seasonal swap zone above cabinets—one basket, fresh textures, zero clutter.

I keep a small rotating display above cabinets with a couple seasonal pieces, and it makes the kitchen feel fresh without redecorating the whole place. I also love that it forces me to dust up there more than once a year.

These products might be useful:

Oval Woven Storage Basket: Corral spare linens and seasonal items in a textured basket to add warmth and keep high shelves organized.
Faux Eucalyptus Stems for Vases: Add a touch of lasting greenery that spills elegantly over ledges without requiring sunlight or watering maintenance.
Soft Linen Tea Towels or Napkins: Layer in soft, muted textiles to bring seasonal color to your display while keeping practical items within reach.

Add Warmth with Wood and Woven Texture

Warm oak boards and a woven basket instantly make the space above cabinets feel custom.

In my apartment, the space above cabinets was the easiest place to add warm wood tones and woven texture. A couple wood boards mixed with baskets made my basic cabinets feel way more custom.

Might be a good match:

Large Round Woven Seagrass Basket: Store seldom-used items in stylish baskets to add immediate texture and warmth to empty cabinet tops.
Acacia Wood Cutting Board: Prop a beautiful wood serving board against the wall to introduce rich, organic tones to stark white spaces.
Artificial Potted Greenery: Add a splash of life with faux plants to break up the wood tones and soften hard edges.

Light It Up with Hidden LED Strips

Hidden warm LED strips above cabinets add height, softness, and a finished nighttime glow.

I once added LED lighting above cabinets, and it made the whole kitchen feel taller and more finished at night. The gentle glow also helped my decor up there look intentional instead of like “stuff I shoved up high.”

Some handy options:

Warm White LED Strip Light Kit: Instantly add a cozy glow above your cabinets with peel-and-stick lights for warm, inviting kitchen ambiance.
Aluminum LED Channel With Diffuser: Create a professional, seamless look by housing your light strips in channels that soften and diffuse brightness.
Smart Wi-Fi LED Controller: Upgrade your lighting setup to control brightness and power directly from your smartphone or via voice commands.

Try a Painted Backdrop or Color Block

A bold painted color block above cabinets makes one simple basket feel curated.

When I wanted drama without buying new decor, I painted the wall area above cabinets a deeper shade than my kitchen walls. That little color block made even simple baskets look like a styled feature.

Items that may come in handy:

Matte Interior Paint: Create a dramatic backdrop for your decor items by repainting the space above your cabinets in deep, earthy tones.
Woven Storage Baskets: Use natural seagrass or wicker baskets to add texture that pops beautifully against a freshly painted colored wall.
Floating Wooden Shelves: Install simple floating shelves to bridge the gap and provide a sturdy platform for displaying plants and pottery.

Wallpaper the Gap for Instant Personality

Removable wallpaper above cabinets turns that forgotten gap into a bold, dust-free design moment.

I tested removable wallpaper in the space above cabinets, and it turned that awkward strip into a design moment. It’s especially great if you don’t want to add lots of objects that will collect grease and dust.

A few things you might like:

Peel and Stick Wallpaper: Transform your kitchen easily with self-adhesive wallpaper that adds color and pattern without damaging your walls.
Wallpaper Smoothing Kit: Ensure a professional, bubble-free finish on your new backsplash or cabinet gap with this essential toolkit.
Adhesive Tile Stickers: Create a custom tiled look instantly by applying these durable, easy-to-clean stickers over existing surfaces.

Add a Slim Shelf for Layers

A slim oak picture ledge above cabinets adds a layered, curated look without clutter.

In one rental, I added a narrow ledge so the space above cabinets could hold smaller items without looking lost. That extra “step” let me layer pieces in front of art and made the whole arrangement feel curated.

Create a Tiny Gallery with Objects and Art

Turn the space above cabinets into a tiny gallery—art + sculptural objects with breathing room.

For a fun twist, I mixed small framed prints with sculptural objects above cabinets so it feels like a mini gallery up near the ceiling. The key (I learned this after a few messy attempts) is leaving a little breathing room so it doesn’t look like attic storage.

A few helpful options:

Minimalist Black Picture Frames: Frame your favorite prints instantly for a polished look that brings personality to high, empty spaces.
Textured Ceramic Vases: Add sculptural interest and height variation to your display with neutral, textured ceramic vessels.
Floating Wood Shelf: Create the perfect foundation for your mini gallery if your cabinets don’t offer enough flat surface.

Turn It Into a Hidden Clutter Drop Zone

A uniform lidded box above cabinets creates a hidden drop zone for cords, manuals, and spares.

This one is my secret weapon: I use a couple uniform boxes above cabinets as a “nowhere else to put it” zone for awkward items like spare cords, manuals, and extra lightbulbs. It’s not glamorous, but having a designated above-cabinet catchall keeps my drawers from exploding.

Some ideas to consider:

Woven Lidded Storage Baskets: Conceal your clutter stylishly with these lidded baskets, perfect for keeping loose items organized and dust-free.
Decorative Ribbon Spool: Add a personalized, cohesive touch to your storage baskets by tying them with a simple, elegant satin ribbon.
Fabric Basket Liners: Protect delicate items and keep the interior of your woven baskets clean with these washable, fitted fabric liners.