How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets Farmhouse Style

Yes, you can definitely decorate the top of your kitchen cabinets with farmhouse style! It’s a fantastic way to add character and charm to your kitchen. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about farmhouse kitchen cabinet styling and creating beautiful cabinet top vignettes.

The space above kitchen cabinets can often feel like a forgotten frontier in home décor. For many, it becomes a dusty, neglected zone. However, with a little creativity and a touch of rustic charm, you can transform this area into a delightful extension of your farmhouse kitchen accents. The goal is to create a look that feels collected, personal, and inviting, reminiscent of a cozy country kitchen. This isn’t about clutter; it’s about thoughtful placement and a cohesive aesthetic that enhances the overall feel of your kitchen.

How To Decorate Top Of Kitchen Cabinets Farmhouse Style
Image Source: www.thepondsfarmhouse.com

The Allure of Above Cabinet Decor

Why bother decorating above your kitchen cabinets? It’s a simple yet impactful way to elevate your kitchen’s design. This often overlooked area can become a focal point, adding personality and warmth. Think of it as the finishing touch that ties your entire kitchen design together. It’s a chance to inject your style and create visual interest that guests will admire.

Adds Personality: This is your chance to showcase your favorite pieces.
Completes the Look: It bridges the gap between your cabinets and the ceiling, making the space feel more finished.
Creates a Cohesive Flow: It helps carry your chosen style, like farmhouse kitchen cabinet styling, throughout the room.
Visually Softens the Space: Hard lines of cabinets can be softened with decorative items.

Fathoming the Farmhouse Aesthetic

Before diving into decorating, let’s clarify what defines the farmhouse style, especially for country kitchen cabinet toppers. Farmhouse style celebrates simplicity, comfort, and a connection to nature. It blends old and new, with a focus on natural materials, vintage finds, and a relaxed, lived-in feel.

Key elements of the farmhouse aesthetic include:

Natural Materials: Wood (especially reclaimed or distressed), metal (galvanized, wrought iron), stone, and natural fibers like linen and cotton.
Neutral Color Palette: Whites, creams, grays, blacks, and earthy tones. Pops of color often come from natural elements like greenery or subtle blues and greens.
Vintage and Antique Finds: Pieces with a history, like old tins, enamelware, wooden crates, and antique kitchen tools.
Comfort and Coziness: The overall feeling should be warm, inviting, and unpretentious.
Shabby Chic Touches: Sometimes, a hint of shabby chic cabinet adornments can complement the farmhouse look, with distressed finishes and delicate details.

When applying this to the top of your kitchen cabinets, the aim is to evoke this same feeling of warmth and history.

Designing Your Cabinet Top Vignettes

Creating appealing cabinet top vignettes is all about thoughtful arrangement and balance. A vignette is essentially a small, decorative scene. When decorating the tops of kitchen cabinets, you’re creating a series of these miniature displays.

Step 1: Declutter and Clean

Before you place a single item, give the tops of your cabinets a thorough cleaning. Remove any dust, grease, or cobwebs. This is a crucial first step for any kitchen shelf styling tips. A clean slate ensures your decorations will look their best.

Step 2: Assess Your Space

Look at the size and depth of your cabinet tops. Are they narrow ledges or deep shelves? This will influence the types of items you can display. Consider the overall height of your kitchen and the ceiling.

Step 3: Choose Your Style Elements

What specific elements will you use to convey the farmhouse look? Think about:

Color Palette: Stick to your chosen farmhouse colors.
Materials: Mix wood, metal, and ceramic.
Textures: Incorporate rough, smooth, and woven textures.
Themes: Do you want to highlight kitchen tools, seasonal decor, or vintage finds?

Step 4: Select Your Decorative Pieces

This is where the fun begins! Gather items that fit your farmhouse vision. For farmhouse kitchen cabinet styling, consider these categories:

Greenery: Faux or real plants, like potted herbs, eucalyptus stems, or trailing ivy.
Baskets and Crates: Woven baskets, wooden crates, or galvanized metal bins add texture and storage.
Ceramics: White ironstone, stoneware pitchers, or vintage crockery.
Metal Accents: Galvanized buckets, enamelware pieces, tin signs, or decorative metal baskets.
Wooden Items: Wooden bowls, cutting boards, rolling pins, or decorative signs.
Vintage Finds: Old tins, jars, milk bottles, or antique kitchen utensils.
Lighting: Battery-operated fairy lights or small lanterns can add a warm glow.
Textiles: A small piece of linen or a tea towel can add softness.

Step 5: Arrange Your Vignettes

Now it’s time to place your items. Here are some tips for creating visually appealing cabinet top vignettes:

Vary Heights: Use items of different heights to create visual interest. Taller items in the back, shorter in the front.
Group Items: Cluster items in odd numbers (threes or fives) for a more pleasing arrangement.
Create a Focal Point: Choose one or two larger pieces as the anchor for each vignette.
Negative Space: Don’t overcrowd the space. Allow for some empty space (negative space) to let each piece breathe.
Balance: Distribute the visual weight of your items evenly across the cabinet tops.
Consider Sightlines: Think about how the decorations will look from different angles, especially from the main areas of your kitchen.

Rustic Kitchen Shelf Decor Ideas

The tops of kitchen cabinets often act like long, narrow shelves. For rustic kitchen shelf decor, the focus is on natural, aged, and utilitarian items that evoke a country feel.

Here are some ideas for styling those spaces:

1. The Gathering of Greenery

Plants instantly bring life and a touch of nature indoors, a cornerstone of farmhouse style.

Potted Herbs: Small pots of rosemary, basil, or mint add a functional and fragrant touch.
Faux Eucalyptus or Greenery: Stems in pitchers or simple vases add height and texture.
Trailing Plants: Pothos or ivy can spill over the edges, softening the lines.

Table: Greenery Options for Cabinet Tops

Plant Type	Container Ideas	Farmhouse Appeal
Potted Herbs	Terracotta pots, galvanized tins	Natural, aromatic, functional
Eucalyptus Stems	White ceramic pitcher, mason jar	Soft texture, natural color
Trailing Plants	Woven basket, vintage crock	Adds softness, natural flow
Faux Boxwood	Small terracotta pot, metal bucket	Evergreen, low maintenance

2. Vintage Tin Treasures

Old tins are quintessential vintage kitchen display ideas. They come in various sizes and often feature charming advertising.

Stacked Tins: Varying heights and sizes of old biscuit or tea tins can be stacked for visual impact.
Single Statement Tin: A larger, more decorative tin can be a standalone piece.
Tin Buckets: Small galvanized buckets can hold faux flowers or utensils.

3. Wooden Accents

Wood adds warmth and a rustic touch.

Wooden Crates: Small crates can be stacked or used to group smaller items.
Wooden Bowls: Empty or filled with faux fruit, they add a natural element.
Rolling Pins: Display a few vintage rolling pins together for a charming look.
Cutting Boards: Lean a decorative wooden cutting board against the wall.

4. Galvanized Metal Touches

Galvanized metal brings a utilitarian, industrial farmhouse feel.

Galvanized Buckets: Perfect for holding utensils or decorative filler.
Galvanized Tins: Similar to vintage tins, they offer a more uniform metallic look.
Metal Watering Cans: Small, decorative watering cans can hold greenery.

5. Ceramic Charm

White ironstone, milk glass, and stoneware are perfect for farmhouse kitchen cabinet styling.

Ironstone Pitchers: Use them to hold faux flowers or greenery.
Milk Glass Vases: Delicate and classic, they add a touch of vintage elegance.
Stoneware Jugs: These have a beautiful, earthy appeal.

6. Functional Decor

Why not combine beauty with utility?

Small Utensil Holders: Use a vintage crock or galvanized bucket to hold whisks or spatulas.
Spice Tins: Arrange a few old spice tins for a pop of vintage color.

DIY Farmhouse Cabinet Decor

You don’t always need to buy new. DIY farmhouse cabinet decor is a rewarding way to personalize your space.

1. Distressed Wooden Signs

Materials: Scrap wood, chalk paint, sandpaper, stencil (optional), twine.
Process: Paint the wood with chalk paint, distress edges with sandpaper, add lettering using a stencil or freehand, and hang with twine.

2. Painted Mason Jars

Materials: Mason jars, chalk paint, twine, faux flowers.
Process: Paint mason jars with chalk paint, distress them, tie twine around the neck, and fill with greenery.

3. Repurposed Cans

Materials: Old food cans (labels removed), sandpaper, twine, paint (optional).
Process: Clean cans, remove labels, lightly sand for a distressed look, or paint them with chalk paint. Tie twine around the rim and use as small vases or utensil holders.

Kitchen Shelf Styling Tips

Beyond the items themselves, how you arrange them is key. These kitchen shelf styling tips apply perfectly to above cabinet decorating.

Create Layers: Place items at different depths. A larger item in the back, smaller items in front.
Consider the Rule of Thirds: Imagine your space divided into thirds horizontally and vertically. Place key items at the intersections of these lines.
Balance Visual Weight: Don’t put all your heavy-looking items on one side.
Vary Textures: Mix smooth ceramics with rough wood and metallic finishes.
Tell a Story: Arrange items that have a connection, like a vintage cookbook with a rolling pin and a ceramic bowl.
Don’t Forget the Corners: These can sometimes be tricky spaces, but a taller plant or a grouped set of items can fill them nicely.

Shabby Chic Cabinet Adornments

While distinctly farmhouse, a touch of shabby chic cabinet adornments can enhance the look. Shabby chic often involves vintage pieces with a more delicate, often feminine, touch.

Lace or Burlap Accents: A small piece of lace draped over a jar or a burlap ribbon tied around a pitcher.
Distressed White Pieces: White ironstone or milk glass that is slightly chipped or worn.
Floral Motifs: A subtle floral pattern on a vintage tin or a small ceramic piece.
Soft Pastels: While not strictly farmhouse, a very pale blue or green accent can work if used sparingly.

Country Kitchen Cabinet Toppers

For a true country kitchen cabinet toppers look, lean into items that feel authentically rustic and perhaps a bit more utilitarian.

Enamelware: White enamelware with a blue rim is iconic.
Wire Baskets: Open wire baskets can hold fruit or kitchen linens.
Wooden Utensils: Hanging wooden spoons or whisks.
Grain Sacks: A small, neatly folded grain sack can add texture.

Vintage Kitchen Display Ideas

The goal here is to create a sense of history and nostalgia.

Old Recipe Boxes: Stack a few vintage recipe boxes.
Antique Jars: Collect old apothecary jars or mason jars with worn lids.
Retro Advertising Tins: Old coffee, tea, or cookie tins.
Cast Iron Pieces: A small cast iron skillet or trivet.

Farmhouse Kitchen Accents

These are the details that truly sell the farmhouse aesthetic.

Wire Egg Baskets: A classic farmhouse item.
Wooden Dough Bowls: Great for displaying fruit or decorative filler.
Metal Roosters or Chickens: Small decorative figures.
Striped or Gingham Fabrics: A small tea towel tied with twine.

Above Cabinet Decorating: Practical Considerations

When decorating the tops of cabinets, it’s important to be practical.

Dust and Cleaning

The higher up a surface is, the more likely it is to collect dust.

Choose Wisely: Opt for items that are easy to wipe down. Smooth ceramic, metal, and glass are easier than intricate wooden carvings.
Frequency: Be prepared to dust these surfaces more often than your lower shelves.
Placement: If possible, try to avoid placing items directly against the ceiling where dust bunnies can easily accumulate.

Safety and Stability

Ensure that whatever you place on top of your cabinets is secure.

Weight Distribution: Don’t overload the cabinets, especially if they are older or have a lighter construction.
Secure Items: Use museum putty or sticky tack for items that might easily tip over, especially in earthquake-prone areas or if you have active kids or pets.
Avoid Flammables: Keep anything flammable away from light fixtures or heat sources.

Scale and Proportion

The items you choose should be in proportion to the size of your cabinet tops and the height of your ceiling.

Too Small: Items that are too small can look lost and insignificant.
Too Large: Overly large items can make the space feel cramped and overwhelming.
Height: Taller items can make a kitchen feel grander, but ensure they don’t hit the ceiling or look awkward.

Seasonal Swaps for Above Cabinet Decor

Your farmhouse kitchen cabinet styling can evolve with the seasons.

Spring: Add pastel-colored ceramics, fresh greenery, and perhaps a few faux bunnies.
Summer: Use brighter colors sparingly, like a blue pitcher with white flowers, or light-colored baskets.
Autumn: Incorporate mini pumpkins, gourds, fall-colored leaves, and warm-toned wooden elements.
Winter: Think pinecones, faux berries, simple white ceramics, and perhaps some subtle fairy lights for a cozy glow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the best way to decorate the tops of kitchen cabinets?
A1: The best way is to choose items that fit your desired style (like farmhouse), vary heights and textures, and create small, balanced arrangements or vignettes. Ensure items are safe and easy to dust.

Q2: Can I put plants on top of my kitchen cabinets?
A2: Yes, you can! Both real and faux plants work well. Faux plants are often easier to maintain in this location, but real potted herbs add a lovely touch if you have good light.

Q3: How do I keep the items on top of my cabinets from looking cluttered?
A3: Use negative space, group items in odd numbers (3 or 5), and vary the heights of your items. Don’t try to fill every single inch of space.

Q4: What are some good materials to use for farmhouse cabinet decor?
A4: Natural materials like wood, galvanized metal, white ceramic or ironstone, baskets, and vintage tins are excellent choices for farmhouse style.

Q5: Is it okay to hang things from the top of kitchen cabinets?
A5: Generally, it’s best to avoid drilling into the tops of cabinets. If you want to hang items, consider using lightweight twine or ribbon to tie items around existing decorative elements, or use temporary adhesive hooks that won’t damage the finish.

Decorating the top of your kitchen cabinets is a wonderful way to add personality and complete the look of your kitchen. By following these tips for farmhouse kitchen cabinet styling, you can transform that forgotten space into a charming display of vintage kitchen display ideas, rustic kitchen shelf decor, and delightful farmhouse kitchen accents. Embrace the process, have fun with your DIY farmhouse cabinet decor, and enjoy your beautifully styled kitchen!