Ways to make optimal use of the space above kitchen units.

Boxes or baskets

In cramped kitchens, you can store small household items and rarely used equipment on the upper cabinets. To avoid the interior resembling a warehouse, we do not recommend buying plastic or transparent containers.

Wooden boxes, wicker baskets, and boxes with lids that will protect things from dust are suitable. It is desirable that the containers look the same.

The upper tier is a great place to store items that need to be hidden from children.

Dishes

Beautiful dishes look great on the upper kitchen cabinets: this is especially useful if there is not enough space inside. It’s worth sending up deep ceramic bowls, jugs and trays that are rarely used: then you won’t have to stand on a stool every day to set the table. Collections of plates without patterns, candy bowls, clay pots look stylish.

Abstain from “mismatched” shades, otherwise the dishes will make the space on the cabinets cluttered.

Mirror

Decorative a technique that allows you to create an interesting optical illusion. A mirror will add air to the atmosphere and create the impression that there is another room behind the kitchen unit.

When ordering a mirror, it is worth considering that it will reflect not only the ceiling, but also the things placed on the cabinets.

Houseplants

For many green plants, the space on the upper cabinets is an ideal place to grow. They visually soften the interior, add decorativeness and purify the air. Suitable:

• chlorophytum, which does not require frequent watering and fertilizing;
• climbing cissus, the vines of which will beautifully hang down from the upper tier;
• sansevieria (“mother-in-law’s tongue”) is a fast-growing decorative foliage plant;
• unpretentious ivy-leaved philodendron.

If you do not want to take care of indoor plants, buy fakes – many botanical copies look no worse than living plants.

Glass bottles and jars

Another way to add lightness to the interior and at the same time use the useful space is to place glass utensils on top: beautiful jars, bottles and vases. Transparent glass creates an interesting effect, reflecting and refracting light. Empty colored glassware is also suitable for decoration.

If the bottles are full and there is nowhere to store them, arrange the containers in identical metal baskets. This solution looks much more aesthetically pleasing than bottles placed in a row.

Second row of cabinets

This solution is suitable for apartments with low ceilings: cabinets that make up another upper tier make the kitchen more integral and completed. There is much more storage space, the ceiling looks visually higher, and the dishes remain protected from dust by closed facades.

Books

This decor method will be appreciated by owners of “residential” kitchens: elements such as books, flowers and baskets make the cooking space more cozy and bring it closer to the room design. You can store recipe books and rarely read works on top.

If you cook often, high temperatures and humidity can have a negative effect on the appearance of books.

Picture frames

A kitchen with a high ceiling can easily be turned into a gallery, placing frames with photographs, posters or drawings on the upper cabinets. Such decor will definitely attract the attention of guests, and also dilute the boring atmosphere.

In order not to overload the hanging structures, choose large frames with lightweight plexiglass.

Lighting

Additional kitchen lighting is a functional part of the kitchen decor. It can be turned on during romantic dinners or evening gatherings. As light sources you can use:

• LED strip, which fits perfectly into high-tech;
• Electric garland – for country, Provence, Scandinavian style;
• Spotlights and track lights, ideal for loft and contemporary.

Leave blank

We do not recommend filling the space above the cabinets in two cases:

1. If the active kitchen apron continues above the kitchen unit and reaches the ceiling, then the wall looks solid. The technique stops working when decor or dishes are placed on the cabinets.
2. If the kitchen is designed in a classic style. The main concept of a traditional interior is a strict balance of forms. Decor under the ceiling (flowers, boxes, vases) looks out of place and overloads the interior, in addition, the upper part of the kitchen set is usually complemented by elegant molding.

In other cases, the space under the ceiling can be safely filled, thereby turning inconvenient places into the highlight of the interior.