What would you be trying to achieve by tiling above the cabinets? Its so high up that I don’t think it would “add” anything except maybe a lighter color, which you probably could do just by painting it white up there (which I’m not recommending). I would extend the cabinets to the ceiling including some with small glass door cabinets that could be lit from within. This would add storage And lighten it up.

Tiling above the cabinets is not worth the trouble and would look odd. As for your second option, how would you build more cabinet space above the cabinets? What are you trying to accomplish with these changes?

Thanks for the response! I hear you. I saw this idea as the alternative you're asking about: https://centsiblechateau.com/how-to-extend-your-cabinets-to-the-ceiling-in-under-an-hour-for-20-or-less

So, not necessarily more storage space but rather extending the piece to the ceiling w/ molding.

A few thoughts for you...

I would not add tile unless you plan on removing the 4" backsplash. However, it looks as though your countertops are laminate. Do you plan on replacing your counters as well? I would also not add tile to the top of your cabinets. Instead of adding cabinets to the ceiling, I would upgrade the counters (with no 4" backsplash) and get an under-mount sink. Then, you could add tile up the the cabinets.

I suggest adding under cabinet lighting and top cabinet lighting as well. I think that little bit of light both from the top and bottom would add a lot to your space.

Sorry everyone, I might be going crazy. But I don't think we have backsplash in place already - the wall color between the counter and the bottom of the cabinet space is a grey/blue. That's where I'd like to add a peel & stick backsplash option.

Countertops are laminate and we don't intend on changing that anytime soon. Does that impact the backsplash idea?

We have under cabinet lighting on the way, so thank you!

No tile above the cabinets. Got it :)

The short piece of laminate next to wall and perpendicular to the counters is your current backsplash.

Again, what are you trying to accomplish?

Oh, the "backsplash" I'm referring to is the little lip of countertop, which is the 4" "backsplash" that comes standard with laminate unless you tell them otherwise.

I gotcha. Sorry all - this is what I'm trying to accomplish: adding a white subway tile peel & stick "backsplash" to the wall space above that laminate lip and below the cabinet. Like this: https://howtonestforless.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/white-subway-tile-backsplash1.jpg

And I was originally wondering if that same white peel & stick tiling can/should be added above the cabinets as well or if I should consider extending the cabinets all the way up to the ceiling. Essentially, the space above the cabinets drives me nuts and I don't want to spend money on silly décor for up there.

Ashley, you’re not going crazy...the 4” laminate up the wall is considered a “backsplash”. Most pros advise removing that prior to tiling up to the cabinets, so that the tile extends all the way down onto the surface of the countertop. If your 4” lip is integral to the countop (1 piece) then that’s not possible. If you plan to keep the laminate as is, I would recommend a backsplash color that blends more into the lip, so that the lip is not that noticeable. You have a very nice kitchen. I agree that the faux extensions to the ceiling would look choppy with all the different cabinet heights. A big improvement would be a counter depth fridge.

Thanks rocketjcat!

If the area above the cabinets is an eyesore to you, I would do three things. Remove the plant. Buy a larger, brighter indoor-outdoor rug for the floor. Find a pattern or color that makes you smile. And I would upgrade the light fixture. Then you'll have two nice things at eye level to catch your attention when you walk by and into the kitchen.

To piggyback onto rocketjcat's well worded response (ditto!!) I would not worry about adding any decor up there. Decor will only get dusty and draw attention to an area you aren't in love with. I wouldn't invest any money into adding cabinet height since it sounds like you want to make modest updates anyways.

Thank you deegw!!