Awkward no more: tops of kitchen cabinets

Seems like every kitchen has weird spaces—like between cabinets and the ceiling. Don’t waste it. Work it. Check out our decorating and organizing ideas to turn that awkward space into awesome space!

IKEA has top of kitchen cabinet ideas like an art gallery. Choose one or two frame finishes for a calm look, like modern HOVSTA frame in birch. Use different sizes to keep it interesting and go for pieces that are easy to see at a distance.

IKEA has products to make an herb drying rack like this one in the space above kitchen cabinets. You can use rustic-style FINTORP rail with black powder-coated steel and zinc. Tie bundled herbs on the railk or on hooks.

1. The herb rack lets you dry your fresh herbs tied directly onto a rail or on hooks for easier access. For more awkward kitchen help, see our space between cabinets ideas and our tips to use the sides of cabinets.

IKEA has lots of storage options for above kitchen cabinets like KNAGGLIG boxes in durable solid pine. They can hold a lot, stack on top of each other and be painted, stained or oiled to match your kitchen’s style.

For storage above kitchen cabinets, you can use boxes from IKEA like KNAGGLIG in untreated solid pine. They’re easy to grab, lift and take down because of their built-in handles.

2. The clutter keeper frees up and moves up your junk drawer. Use open boxes to store smaller odds and ends. Add labels to make it even easier to take down the right box.

IKEA has kitchen decor ideas like turning the space above kitchen cabinets into a display spot. Choose a material and work with it. Glass pieces are one idea like BERÄKNA mouth-blown glass vase mixed with glass candlesticks and glass jars.

3. The still life makes a home for odd-sized glass vases, candlesticks and such that don’t fit in cabinets. Gather them into a display, so you’ll see them and use them more often.

Want art for your kitchen? IKEA has lots to choose from, especially pieces easy to see at a distance for those spots above kitchen cabinets. For a calm look, choose one or two frame styles like modern HOVSTA frame in birch.

4. The art gallery displays your favorite photos and prints. Go for big impressions that are easy to appreciate at a distance, but keep it interesting with different sizes and unframed pieces.

IKEA has products that can be recipe boxes like KUGGIS box with lid in durable, white recycled PET plastic. The boxes can be stacked on top of each other. We put them alongside cookbooks above kitchen cabinets to make a recipe library.

5. The recipe library clears off your worktop. Let magazine files neatly hold loose pages or flimsy magazines. Store handwritten recipe cards in boxes with lids to make little filing cabinets.

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior designer: Britta Henley
Photographer: Tjitske van Leeuwen-Huisman
Writer: Marissa Frayer

Awkward no more: tops of kitchen cabinets

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