I like color, so I think maybe a couple of larger items, so it doesnt look cluttered , spaced correctly would add some color to the space as it is pretty but a very neutral palette.

I have the same space in my kitchen (both before and after). Before I put things up there, because it's what I did and thought nothing of it. After, I don't have anything up there and I learned that at GW. I know everyone says things get dusty and greasy up there, but I never found that to be the case. Now I run a course of paper towels along the top of the cabinets. It's exactly the right size. Once or twice a year I replace them with new, so I don't have to clean up there. The towels don't have any obvious dirt on them.

One of my cats likes it up there, especially when I'm vacuuming. She sometimes messes with the paper towels and I have to stand on the counter and straighten them out. Not a big deal.

I think certain kitchens (cozy, vintage, etc.) can handle stuff up there, reminiscent of what people used to do. Adding stuff just to be "decor" looks dated and contrived. JMO.

I love my things on top of the cabinets. I have higher ceilings than you, though, and at one point on my soffit it would look too empty without something displayed.

Also, half of lmy kitchen is open to the family room, and when sitting on the sofa you see the top display of cabinets. It makes me smile to look up and see them. For that reason alone, I could care less if it's passe. I really do like to see what the trends are just like most people do. And I like to play around with how things are displayed and it's great to get input on how to arrange things. But, I do find that whether or not to display on top of cabinets is very personal. Some people truly hate it!!

My main cabinets go to the ceiling, but I had the built-in hutch made to look like a piece of furniture so the top of it stops 11 inches from the ceiling. About twice a year I drag out the step stool and wipe the dust from the top. It's not obvious from the floor because of the molding, but if there was stuff sitting up there I doubt that would be the same case.

I do put a fall decoration up there and at Christmas garland with battery-operated lights.

imo, frumpy, cluttery stuff does not look good up there. One or two items which are carefully chosen to complement the style of the kitchen are okay (and in your case, possibly two, for balance).

Just look at kitchens in real estate listings -- I cringe when I see all those fake plants, roosters, and cutesy kitsch. Very passe.

I wish my cabinets went all the way to the ceiling, but they don't. I do have some things above my cabinets, but I try to keep it very simple, large items, and I do get up there and clean a few times a year. I have a collection of vintage split wood baskets, mostly picnic baskets, that I keep up there; and a very large antique wooden dough trough.

I am not a fan of the look where people buy decorative objects just to "decorate" the top of their cabinets-- the staged, theme type decor.

I think in your new kitchen, I would probably leave it empty, or put two matching objects, maybe two large platters, one on each side of the range hood.

I love to see decorative pieces above people's kitchen cabinets. My one best friend has her collection of primitive farm animals up above hers. My other BF is an artist and has some of her paintings and NM artifacts above hers. One of my sisters has her collection of colorful, cute birdhouses above hers.

Because the rest of our home is decorated with various New Mexican art and artifacts (and tchotchkes, and just plain stuff), I put some like pieces up above mine, too. As our kitchen opens into the family room, I just kept the decs nicer and not cutesy.

Above my cooktop, I put 2 matching urns. They're kind of big and are easy to wipe off occasionally.

Above my pantry cabinet, I propped up an antique window that I painted, a la Santa Fe's La Fonda Hotel (they have many primitive windows and French doors painted like this). And a rooster from my best friend who loves the primitive farm animals (LOL).

And above my refrigerator and oven stack, I added some of my santos, big chunky candlesticks, pottery and, yes, some artificial greenery. (Forgive me, but I'm a gal who doesn't give a flying-you-know-what about what's in and what isn't. I decorate for me)

I like to see color up above cabinets. I like the visual interest. Heck, in my laundry room, I even have an original oil painting propped up there along with my collection of Cottageware. Like entrance foyers, I think kitchens are a great place to express your personality.

I've seen pics of your present home, Jen. You have wonderful art and decorative pieces. I hope some will eventually end up above your kitchen cabs for everyone to admire.

Lynn, I adore you, and I think your home decor does reflect you and the style of your home, but -- I have to justsayno to roosters.

LOL, I know Violet, but it was a housewarming gift from my BF and her husband and I had to put it someplace, as they're over a lot.

Aw, no love for roosters? haha! I have two roosters and two hens, all carved by Navajo folks artists (Lynn, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about), and I actually do, now that I think of it, display a pair of them atop my Stickley mission oak china cabinet! I'm not a big fan of artificial greenery, but I think Lynn's display is tastefully done. It definitely adds color and visual/textural interest.

Thanks for the thoughts - I'm going to keep mulling this over. I'd really like for this home to maintain a fresher, CLEANER look than our current place. I'd imagine I'll experiment with a few items on top of the cabinets and just see how it hits me. I do find it interesting that there's a mix of opinions here.

I recently went to a new developments open house and toured the model homes. Each home had a distinctive different color theme. I drooled over one, loved another, and the other 3 were ok...not my particular taste. All had some type of decor above the cabinets. Maybe, as I said before, it's because the ceilings are high?? I don't know. But it wasn't crowded, just some larger pieces.

acceptable excuse, Lynn!

I'm not a fan of the look, but not because it's passé, just because to me it always looks like clutter (even if it's just one or two big pieces) and I hate clutter. Just personal preference.

We have a tiny old house, a lot of "practical" antiques and little storage. There will be a washboard or two up on mine.

What's one person's clutter can be another person's "homey." : ) Seems like it would be easy enough to put some of your favorite things up there and live with them a bit. Or even take some pictures of the kitchen with and without and see which you like better. I have a few things on our uppers and I like them there. I fall in the "homey" camp. But, it's easy enough to pull everything down if I want to visit the other camp for a while. ; ) Enjoy your new home! I can say no to a rooster. Mine is a hen.

lol!

Well said, laughable!

Well said laughable!

I have a rooster and a hen!

Nothing. Do nothing til you live there for awhile.

ML

Less is more! I read a tip recently to line the top of the cabinets with either paper towels or plastic wrap, so you can whip it off instead of dusting. I'm going to try it! Love your kitchen!

Ive put wax paper or parchment down. Newspaper gets my hands dirty! And I have used paper towels too. 2x a year I get up there. I dust off my stuff and put fresh lining down.

In my old kitchen, the tops of the cabinets were essential for extra storage. I placed resin wicker baskets on top of all of them, and covered the contents with gingham coverlets to match the kitchen curtains. I stored all my seasonal items up there - canning lids, rings, fondue pots, apple corers, cherry pitters, food mills, victorio strainers, my cheese making supplies, even my flour mill.

A large kitchen in a previous house had lighting above the cabinets. I placed my favorite blue glassware up there and lighted it as a nightlight many evenings.

My new kitchen will only have items on top of the upper cabinets in the two corners of the "U". The corners will be lower than the centers of the cabinets runs. I plan to display my husband's favorite old chrome kitchen appliances. They are unique, art deco style coffee pots, toasters, flip waffle makers. All still function, so why not display them rather than tuck them away in a closet? They will coordinate well with the stainless appliances and shelves I am using on the basksplash.

Kippy - my washboard, galvanized bucket, well pulley, RR lantern, and antique levels, planers, and hand drills are on top of our entertainment center/bookcase in the livingroom. They are my "practical" antiques. They were my father's and grandfather's. They are clustered around a large antique wooden radio. Old family photos are tucked in around the books and family memorabilia in the bookcases. It's my version of the "family wall". (Hubby doesn't like the traditional "rogues gallery" of family pictures found on many people's hall and stairway walls!)

Auntjen- go ahead and personalize your uppers -- it's your kitchen!

When we were designing our home, I purposefully wanted the area above my cabinets open.
Two reasons.
One, it literally opens up the room.
Two, I like the look of things displayed up there.

It's my home so it should reflect who I, and my family, are. Period.
So, if you love the idea, go for it Jen. Don't worry what anyone else thinks if it makes you happy. Fill it with Roosters, if you love them. LOL

" (do) you think displaying decorative items above cabinets is passé." - OP

Yes.

Like most things that become passé, it is partly because people take a good idea and then overdo and do it poorly.

Anything passé can be "rehabilitated" if it is done thoughtfully, with restraint, and if the things used are good quality or interesting or have a meaning to you.

Of course, one is always at liberty to ignore what is passé or not, but that wasn't your question and is, I think, always implied.

maybe consider simply adding an accent color above the cabinets.

@Auntjen, I've always enjoyed your personalized style and think you should do what makes you happy. I wouldn't buy new things to "decorate" the space above the cabinets, but I certainly think it makes sense to use items you already have and enjoy.

We just returned from the final walk-through on the house (we're cleared to close on Tuesday - yippee!), and I realized there's not as much space between cabinet tops and ceiling as I was thinking. My beloved vintage green bread tin probably won't even fit up there. ::sigh:: Oh well ... I'll figure it out, and I'm sure I'll have a lot of fun playing around with décor to see what works and what doesn't. I am most definitely in the "it's YOUR house, do what makes YOU happy" camp, but appreciate the various opinions expressed here. It's interesting to know what you all think (even if I don't think the same way). :-)

Jen, did you move? I see some round-top arches -- it could be the same place, but not likely? If you did move, did you move far away? To Cabo?

We are moving next week, and no - not to Cabo. ;-) We're moving about 15 miles away to a suburb where I grew up.