These 15 kitchen cabinet decorating ideas are more than you can imagine

“This kitchen was inspired by a beautiful English country kitchen that has everything you need,” says Kimberly Rasmussen, design principal at Establish Design. Here, she displayed a round meat board above the range hood. This is a move that allows easy access to kitchen essentials while serving as decoration.

ELLE DECOR A-List designer Lorenzo Castillo injected a lot of charm into this seaside villa kitchen, from the fringed light fixtures to the mustard kitchen island and blue-and-white tile backsplash. However, rustic baskets placed on top of an ornate cabinet give off a truly top-class presence. Copy this look if you have a collection of similar baskets you want to show off.

This bright kitchen designed by Jacques Grange near Comporta, Portugal is cheerful and bold. To provide contrast with the white walls, antique Portuguese plates and ornaments (aren't the rooster jugs cute?) decorate the tops of the cabinets.

Author and stylist Michelle Mason loves the classic look of vibrant blue and white ceramic, contrasting with dark wood. “The empty wall above the cabinets is perfect for displaying a collection of vintage plates,” she says.

Metallics and greens are at their best in the kitchen of designers Nathan Turner and Eric Hughes' Malibu, California, beach house. A cubbyhole above the cabinetry is the perfect space to showcase even more pops of color. In this case, it could be a blue kettle or pot, a colorful kitchen book, or a collection of silverware.

Bronson Van Wyk's stunning kitchens, which he designed with Ben Bischoff, Oliver Freundlich, and Brian Papa, are anything but boring. The top of the cabinet is decorated with glass jars and an imposing bust overlooking the room.

If you want to make your kitchen functional and easy to cook in, decorating your cooking utensils is the way to go. This collection of copper pots and pans from the home of fashion mogul Robert Duffy is a perfect example of how.

“I've always been a fan of vintage and have been collecting all sorts of odds and ends for over 30 years,” says stylist Lisa Piddington. She wanted her maximalist kitchen to be filled with all the things she loves that make her smile. “My kitchen is full of plants, cans, enamelware, copper pots, antique art, and a fox mirror, so I feel happy every time I walk in,” she says.

There is never enough lighting in the kitchen. That's why interior designer Sam Sachs added statement wall sconces above her kitchen cabinets. The vibrant cabinetry, painted in blue by Benjamin Moore, pairs well with the crisp white walls.

Don't forget the space while kitchen shelves. Here, designer Megan West makes clever use of shelving. “We wanted the space to be very inviting, so we focused on bringing in warm tones through floating shelves, different textures, and honey bronze hardware,” she explains. Complementary décor and glassware keep the look clean and sophisticated.

If your kitchen follows a particular theme, unused space above the cabinets is a great way to accentuate the atmosphere. Surfing photos pair well with the decorative yachts and ceramic vases in this nautical-themed kitchen.

Art director and designer Janine Genoir loves colorful kitchens. To bring more life to her room, she placed attractive plants (in pots that matched the room) on top of the cabinets.

This eggplant-colored kitchen by Krantz Designs makes the most of the space above the kitchen cabinets. This modular wine rack installed above the cabinet not only looks attractive but also adds a special element to the room. After all, there's always happy hour somewhere.

Blogger Corey Williams wanted to incorporate a modern European farmhouse aesthetic into his kitchen. What better way to do that than by displaying a collection of brass vessels and accessories on top of your cabinets? “We were able to create a light and bright kitchen with warmth and character,” says Williams.