When decorating the kitchen, there is often a desire to utilize every bit of available space. This can include the area above the kitchen cabinets. This area may be closed in with a traditional soffit, or it could be open space that allows the storage of other items.

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Either way, you can decorate this area so that it becomes a beautiful and decorative part of your overall kitchen decor. In fact, you might even find a way to utilize the space in a way that is functional as well as beautiful.

Decorating a Soffit Area

If your kitchen cabinets have a soffit above them, you will not be able to use the area for storage space. However, this area will provide a nice "canvas" to display collections or other pieces of interesting wall art.

Think about restaurants that include different items on a shelf around the top edge of the wall if you need some inspiration for above cabinet decorating ideas.

You can either pick a single theme, such as a display of shallow baskets hung on the wall, ceramic plates hung by using plate hangers, or a collection of vintage kitchen cooking utensils or baking pans.

Or, hang a row of small framed photos or art prints around the length of the soffit for an interesting and decorative look.

When hanging items on the soffit, be sure to attach them securely, especially if the items are fragile, heavy or expensive so that you don't risk the items falling.

Another option when decorating a soffit is to hang a narrow shelf along the length of the tops of the cabinets. This can create a nice visual display, giving the appearance that plates or other decorative items are sitting on the shelf.

However, for the sake of safely, you should still attach the items to the wall securely so that they don't fall.

Decorating an Open Soffit Area

If the space above the kitchen cabinets is open, you essentially have a high shelf that can be used to display decorative items or even to store items that are infrequently used. There are many above cabinet decorating ideas that you can use for this type of area.

A collection of vintage tins or a glass bottle collection would look great arranged along the top of the cabinets. Add a few pieces of silk plant material, such as a long trailing branch of ivy for an even more interesting effect.

You can even include real plants, as long as you are willing to go the distance to keep them watered and cared for.

For added visual interest, add some light to the area by using rope lighting. Lighting can look especially attractive when combined with glass items.

A collection of baskets can also be a nice touch for an open soffit area. If the ceiling in the kitchen is lower and you can reach the baskets above the cabinets, you can even utilize this area in a functional way by storing items such as cookie cutters, other kitchen utensils or food items in the baskets.

This area is also a great place to store decorative and yet infrequently used items such as serving platters and bowls or even small kitchen appliances.

Veronica Smith with AmericanArtisanArt.com has developed an interest in expanding the use of metal wall art as well as tree wall hangings.

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