I was thinking of a blog topic when my friend Crystal Spencer (owner Room by Room Redesign, a professional staging company) mentioned she often gets questions on what to do with the space over the kitchen cabinets. I loved the idea.  

So here it is: Easy & practical ideas to spruce up your cabinet tops

Idea #1. Take a hint from our interior design friends and create groupings. Instead of just draping ivy across the top, pick 2 or 3 special items that stand out. Pair them & space them so they create a focal point. For example, in this photo, left is a single vase with grasses, center is a grouping of a large plate & a clear vase filled with fall themed decor, and right is a single vase. It's clean, neat and won't show dust.

Idea#2. Mix up your foliage (silk greenery) to create interest. Mixed foliage is always more interesting than just a single type of foliage. If you've already got ivy, mix in grasses, berries and vines for a more interesting look.

For those that have little space between the cabinet & ceiling, don't be afraid to let your foliage touch the ceiling and bend out into the room. It will take on a more natural look. Just becareful it doesn't interfere with the opening & closing of your cabinet doors.

For a clean look, you might want to do same foliage focal points, i.e. a grouping of just ivy, a grouping of just grasses, a grouping of just berries, etc. Although it may sound contrary to what I said earlier about using a single type of foliage, it's not. Because the result of using the mix of focal point foliage across the cabinet top is sure to create the interest you want.

3. Color is a great way to create interest. Below, I've used a clear vase, clear marbles on the bottom, indian corn, and topped it with rust cymbidium orchids, sunflowers, pods and vines.I then paired it with a large plate. The colors scream fall while they also enhance the colors of the kitchen.

A few last minute tips to consider before you get started:

- if the platform (cabinet top) is lower than the cabinet facade (front of cabinet) you want to boost up your decor so it can be fully viewed. Cigar boxes or old phone books work great.

- use small leafed foliage if you don't want to dust. 

- no matter the season, use colors that compliment your room colors. These days you can find "seasonal" in almost any hue & color.

- when you want to change your display, get a plastic container with lid to pack it all away. It will be easy & clean when ready to put it back up again next year. 

I'd love to know what you're doing on top of your cabinets. I hope you'll share with me. Please comment. 

Yours, Sharon