Decorating Ideas For Above Kitchen Cabinets

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75 Brilliant Design Ideas to Craft Your Dream Kitchen

Make the heart of your home shine with chic colors, timeless finishes and smart layouts.

©Kylie Fitts

The kitchen is one of the most important spaces in your home. It's where you plan meals, eat as a family and even entertain guests, so skimping on its design is not an option. Whether you live in a small apartment with limited storage or have a dreamy layout that's complete with a large marble island, spacious cabinets and sleek appliances, there are a slew of creative design ideas that can make you enjoy your kitchen much more.

There are two distinct design approaches you can take when it comes to revamping your kitchen. You can transform your cooking space with practical, easy updates that won't break the bank—think hanging new light fixtures, upgrading cabinet hardware or incorporating a great piece of wall art to show off your style. On the other hand, you might feel prepared to take the leap with a major kitchen renovation, which involves everything from installing new countertops and flooring to choosing a statement tile backsplash. It's best to take the time to figure out the option that works best for your current lifestyle and budget.

If you're ready for some decor inspiration, scroll this roundup of our editors' favorite kitchen designs. There are more than enough expert-approved tips and ideas for every type of interior design lover. You'll find colorful design schemes with striking paint colors that maximalists would love along with minimalist layouts that are undeniably timeless. The design possibilities are endless. All you have to do is start planning your dream kitchen.

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Go Green

The kitchen is an ideal spot to experiment with bold color. Mix up the monochrome by adding texture and varying shades. "Our eye adjusts to the range, and it all feels right," says interior designer Jean Stoffer of her West Michigan kitchen. "The lavish use of green is a design statement that I expect to age gracefully."

SHOP GREEN TILES

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...or keep it classic white.

A neutral kitchen doesn't have to feel bland. Take a cue from Havenly CEO Lee Mayer's Denver home and weave in natural stone, such as marble or quartzite, along with pops of wood, brass and textured accessories like a rug or window treatments. "I like to bring in decorative elements that make the kitchen feel more than just utilitarian and like a true living space. It has a classic-meets-California-cool style," says Shelby Girard, Havenly's VP, Creative & Design.

SHOP BRASS PENDANTS

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Mix old and new.

The weathered wood beneath the farmhouse sink is actually made from another piece of furniture. "I asked a friend to help me cut up my favorite old table to turn it into the cabinet front," says designer Leanne Ford. "This well-loved repurposed piece added the right amount of soul to the kitchen."

SHOP FARMHOUSE SINK

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Choose low-maintenance tile.

Incorporating durable, affordable materials wherever possible is a no-brainer for interior designer Mary Patton: "For this Houston kitchen, we went with a user-friendly porcelain tile that looks like marble. It's cost-friendly and cleans up easily."

SHOP PORCELAIN TILE

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Make a statement with bold cabinets.

If you're all for thinking outside the box, have fun with the color of your cabinetry. "Modern, luxe and even boho aesthetics can benefit from a pop of color," says Shelby Girard, VP, Creative & Design, at Havenly. "But think timeless here rather than trendy, with blues, greens and blacks being tried-and-true hues for personality-packed impact."

SHOP PAINT

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Hang adjustable pendants.

Quirky wicker pendants fit nicely above interiors photographer Kylie Fitts's compact wood island. "They can be positioned in a number of ways or extended straight out," says Heather Goerzen of Havenly's Creative & Design team. "I love the unexpected bend in the poles."

SHOP WOVEN PENDANTS

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Add a breakfast nook.

Even in a small kitchen, a gathering spot near a window creates a cozy indoor-outdoor feel. "The corner orientation of the banquettes produces a view inward, toward the soul of the house, and outward, toward the river and kids playing in the yard," says designer Alan Tanksley.

SHOP DINING TABLE

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Experiment with high-gloss accents.

Benjamin Moore's Almost Black, which appears on the island and matches the tile backsplash, creates a focal point in this spacious kitchen. "The high gloss of the tile adds dimension and radiance and contrasts well with the lower sheen on the walls and ceiling to bring in another layer of contrast," says Andrea Magno, the brand's director of color marketing and development.

SHOP BLACK TILES

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Try a multi-textured backsplash.

Crafting a space around neutral colors calls for texture. This kitchen by designer Beth Diana Smith has more than just white cabinets. "A textured backsplash was added and framed out the window; the back of the waterfall peninsula was made black; and adding beautiful walnut counter stools provided more texture and shape," Smith says.

SHOP NEUTRAL TILES

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Let large appliances shine.

"The retro-inspired Smeg refrigerator creates a nostalgic feel in conjunction with the antique Blue Willow dishware and the original shiplap walls," says designer Lance Thomas of Thomas Guy Interiors. "I love how simply placing dishware overflow on the top of the fridge makes the fridge seem right at home."

SHOP SMEG REFRIGERATOR

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Designate cubbies for decor.

Not all cabinets have to be utilitarian. Above, designer Allison Caccoma reserved an upper area for flowers, decorative vessels and other objects of interest. "Kitchens are full of cabinetry and millwork, so a touch of accessorizing softens the room," she says.

SHOP VASE

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Showcase ceramics.

In this space by Kitchen Design Group's Caren Rideau, the cabinets highlight the homeowner's ceramics collection that complement tiles from Portugal, which are inset into the marble backsplash.

SHOP CERAMIC VASE

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Mix wood tones.

This inviting Charlotte, NC, kitchen boasts a pecky cypress wood ceiling. "My clients, a young, modern family, wanted a kitchen that felt like a living space," says designer Gray Walker. "The island with a Louis XVI leg makes it feel more like an antique, and the corner banquette has a clean, modern upholstered back and seat with French legs."

SHOP KITCHEN ISLAND

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Banquette Seating

Top designers swear by banquette seating to create a cozy kitchen. Boost its visual interest with an assortment of throw pillows and high shelves, which can be used to display a collection.

SHOP THROW PILLOWS

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Cozy Nook

Built-in seating is a no-fail option to make the most of a kitchen nook. Add patterned throw pillows as a finishing touch.

SHOP WHITE TABLE

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Bold Seating

Instantly transform your room with chairs (or stools!) in a vibrant hue. You can match them to your favorite kitchen accessories, as seen here.

SHOP METAL STOOLS

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Charming Wood Details

For a rustic look, elevate a white kitchen with wood accents in varied shades. Introduce a few brass details, like a pair of pendants, to complete the design scheme.

SHOP WOOD COUNTER STOOLS

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Chalkboard Panel

Bring personality to your space — and delight the kids in your family — by adding a chalkboard panel to the side of your refrigerator. It's a great spot to jot down your weekly grocery list.

SHOP CHALKBOARDS

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Wall Display

Open shelves present the opportunity to show off your styling skills. Fill them with everything you love for organizing and preparing meals—think glass canisters, white platters, and more.

SHOP SERVING DISHES

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Timeless Neutrals

"Add warmth to a kitchen with a versatile paint color like Benjamin Moore's Sag Harbor Gray, which takes on a different tone as lighting changes in your home throughout the day," says interior designer Kevin Dumais.

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Oversized Lighting

Any room needs one statement piece that takes it to the next level, and an oversized pendant is the perfect choice.

SHOP OVERSIZED LIGHTING

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Well-Organized Shelving

Whether you collect white porcelain mugs or blue and white patterned serving dishes, putting them on full display can add character to your kitchen.

SHOP WHITE MUGS

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Pattern Pile-On

Like you would in a cozy bedroom, pile on prints to your heart's desire, starting with an accent wall covered in one pattern, and a colorful rug in another.

SHOP RUGS

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Stash and Hide

Because you can never have too much storage, stash bulky appliances, like stand mixers behind a sliding cabinet door. Or for a faster solution, turn to good ol' baskets to hold and conceal seasonal goods like holiday cookie cutters or sprinkles.

SHOP BASKETS

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Stacked Shelving

Replace upper cabinets with floating shelves to make a kitchen feel bigger and brighter. A Beautiful Mess blog cofounder Elsie Larson stores less-used items toward the top.

SHOP SHELVES

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Moody Hues

Black adds a hit of posh style to any cooking space. For a less stark, but equally chic option, consider "almost black" colors that are rich and warm, like deep blues and cozy maroons.

SHOP PAINT

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Juxtapose Materials

Incorporate multiple kinds of natural stone, different shades of wood, and both matte and glossy surfaces for a custom look that's not too matchy.

SHOP KITCHEN ISLAND

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Finishing Touches

Take a cue from design team Studio McGee by updating your hardware or showing off items you have hidden in cabinets to update your existing kitchen in a single afternoon.

SHOP HARDWARE

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Colorful Lighting

Think of pendants as jewelry for your kitchen — the right ones can tie the whole room together or stand out to make a statement. Here, Massucco Warner Miller uses a surprising pop of yellow to draw the eye upward.

SHOP PENDANT LIGHTS

Monique Valeris Senior Home Editor, Good Housekeeping Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers decorating ideas, home tours, gift guides and more.

Caroline Picard Health Editor Caroline is the Health Editor at GoodHousekeeping.com covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news.

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