That space above your kitchen cabinets is either going to be your kitchen’s “wow, this feels finished” moment or the place where dust and random stuff go to die. I have lived with both, and the best choice really depends on two things: your ceiling height and how much storage you actually need.
If you want the simplest rule that saves you from regret later, it is this:
If the gap is small, close it or make it look intentional. If the gap is big, decorate it or turn it into real storage. Leaving it empty and pretending it is fine usually makes the whole kitchen feel unfinished.
Let’s break it down in a way that is practical and easy to apply.
First, look up: how big is the gap?
Before you decide anything, stand back and look at the space between the cabinet tops and the ceiling.
If the gap is tiny, it can look awkward fast. If the gap is large, it can look like your cabinets stopped too early. Either way, the goal is to make it feel planned.
A good quick test is this: if you can clearly see the cabinet tops from across the room, you will probably want a plan. Bare cabinet tops almost always collect dust and grease, especially if your cabinets are near the stove.
When decorating the top makes sense
Decorating the top of cabinets works best when the gap is large enough that the décor has room to breathe. It also works best when your kitchen already feels busy and you want something soft up high to balance the hard surfaces.
It can make the kitchen feel taller and warmer
If you have higher ceilings, leaving that space open can help your kitchen feel airy instead of boxed in. It can also add personality if your kitchen looks a little too plain or too new.
It is a good option if you do not need more storage
Some kitchens already have plenty of cabinets and a pantry. In that case, closing the top just to add storage can feel unnecessary. Decorating can give you the finished look without paying for extra cabinetry.
It can hide imperfect ceilings or cabinet lines
Not all ceilings are perfectly straight. If your ceiling has a slight wave or your cabinets are not perfectly level, décor can distract the eye in a gentle way. Closing the gap can sometimes make uneven lines more obvious if it is not done carefully.
The real downsides of decorating the top
Decorating looks cute in photos, but real kitchens have real problems.
Dust and grease are the main issue
If your cabinets are near the cooking area, the cabinet tops can get sticky over time. That mix of grease and dust is annoying to clean, and it is not something you want to do often.
It can look dated if the décor is random
This is the big one. The “fake plants and random jars” look can make a kitchen feel like early 2000s décor really fast. The difference between stylish and dated is usually how edited the display is.
It becomes visual clutter if the kitchen is already busy
If you already have patterned countertops, bold backsplash tile, and lots of small appliances out, adding more stuff above the cabinets can push the kitchen into chaos.
How to decorate above cabinets so it looks intentional
If you decide to decorate, your job is to make it look calm from far away.
1) Pick one theme, not ten
Choose a simple direction and stick with it. Examples that almost always work:
- warm baskets and natural textures
- white ceramics or neutral pottery
- a few big cutting boards or trays
- greenery with matching planters
The mistake people make is mixing too many “cute” items. From across the room, it looks like clutter.
2) Use fewer, bigger items
This is the easiest styling trick. Instead of many small pieces, pick 2 or 3 larger items. Large items read as intentional. Small items read as storage.
A few tall baskets can look clean and also hide things you do not use often.
3) Repeat a color that already exists in your kitchen
If your hardware is matte black, repeat black up top in a few spots. If you have warm wood tones, use woven baskets or wood boards. Repeating colors makes it feel designed.
4) Keep the height varied but controlled
If everything is the same height, it looks flat. If everything is wildly different, it looks messy. Aim for a gentle “up and down” rhythm with one taller item and one medium item, then space.
5) Do not block vents or important access
Some kitchens have soffits, vents, or lights near the top. Make sure décor does not interfere with anything functional.
When closing the top makes sense
Closing the top is the move when you want your kitchen to look clean, modern, and built in.
It looks finished immediately
Cabinets that go to the ceiling or look like they do tend to feel more custom. Even if your kitchen is not fancy, closing that gap gives it a “completed” look.
You get more storage without adding clutter
If you are short on storage, the space above cabinets is valuable. Top cabinets are perfect for things you do not use every day like big serving trays, holiday dishes, or backup pantry items.
It eliminates the dust shelf problem
No gap, no greasy dust shelf. This alone is why many people choose ceiling height cabinets.
The real downsides of closing the top
Closing the top is not always the best choice.
It can feel heavy in a small kitchen
In a tiny kitchen with low ceilings, cabinets all the way up can make the room feel tighter. It is not always bad, but you have to balance it with lighter colors, good lighting, and not too much visual weight.
It can cost more
Going to the ceiling often means taller cabinets, stacked cabinets, or custom trim work. Even if you do not change the cabinets, closing the top with panels or drywall work can add cost.
You might lose the “open” look
Some people like the breathing space above cabinets, especially if the kitchen is small but the ceiling is tall. Closing it can feel more formal.
Ways to close the top without replacing all cabinets
You do not always need brand new cabinetry to make the top look finished.
Option 1: Add crown molding
This is the most common way. Crown molding sits at the top and helps the cabinets blend into the ceiling visually.
It works best when the gap is not huge. If the gap is very tall, crown alone can look strange unless you build up the top with extra trim.
Option 2: Add a soffit
A soffit is basically a boxed in section above the cabinets. It can hide wiring, ducts, or uneven ceilings.
It gives you a clean line, but it is more construction than trim, so it costs more than crown molding.
Option 3: Add stacked cabinets
This is a popular “designer” solution. You add a smaller cabinet on top of the main cabinet, so it reaches the ceiling. It looks high end and gives storage.
This works best with higher ceilings, like 9 feet or more, where a single tall cabinet might still leave an odd gap.
Option 4: Add a flat filler panel
If you have a small gap, a simple painted panel can close it visually. This is sometimes cheaper than replacing cabinets, especially if you paint it to match the cabinet color.
If you want storage up top, do it safely and cleanly
If you are using the top for storage, your goal is to make it look tidy even if it is functional.
Baskets are the best solution because they hide everything and look intentional. Use matching baskets or at least baskets in the same color family.
Also think about weight. Do not store anything super heavy up there unless you are comfortable lifting it down safely.
Top storage should be “rarely used” storage. If you need something every day, it belongs at eye level.
Easy decision guide
If you want the quick answer without overthinking:
Choose decorate when:
- your gap is large and you want a softer, airy look
- your kitchen already has enough storage
- you like styling and do not mind occasional cleaning
Choose close it when:
- you want a clean, modern, built in look
- you hate dust and grease buildup
- you need more storage for rarely used items
If you are in the middle, the best “safe” choice is usually closing it visually with crown molding or trim, because it makes the kitchen look finished without requiring constant styling.
Lighting tip that makes either choice look better
No matter what you choose, lighting can save the look.
If you decorate above cabinets, a soft light up there can make it feel cozy, especially at night.
If you close the top, good under cabinet lighting makes the kitchen feel brighter and prevents the tall cabinets from feeling heavy.
Warm white lighting tends to feel best in kitchens for a welcoming look.
The bottom line
The space above your cabinets should not look accidental.
If you decorate, keep it simple, use fewer larger items, and repeat colors already in your kitchen. If you close it, use trim, molding, or stacked solutions to make the line feel clean and finished.
If you tell me your ceiling height and roughly how many inches of gap you have above the cabinets, I will tell you the cleanest option for your exact situation.
