Other options I was thinking but forgot to put in my poll are painting or adding tiles to the ceiling

No to tile. Expensive and serves no point.

Similarly, paint would do you no good.

Ideally you'd add cabinets to this upper section, but that's very expensive and high-up cabinets won't add function. I'd consider adding plain wood with non-functional "dummy doors".

If you want a less expensive option, a row of identical baskets would work. Try for something kinda tall, as you have a lot of space up there.

The heat vent is an additional problem.

Do you have a functioning hood over the gas cooktop (and not just a recirculating hood)? That is an important life safety thing to make sure is correct. If it’s non functioning then you could rework the hood section to make it functional and then let that drive how it’s detailed with the cabinets on either side.

Will suggest that you install short cabinets to match above your existing cabinets. These I imagine would be primarily for display. They would need to be short enough as not to interfere with the hvac supply grille. That would leave an addition sliver of space or you could build a soffit above the newly installed cabinets. You would have to bring the hvac supply duct out to the face of the newly installed soffit.

My kitchen is very big so I'm more looking for something that looks nice rather than additional functionality. Do you think baskets would add clutter or make it look more balanced ?

@norwood architects - do you have a photo of the short cabinets you suggest ? Seems like it'd be expensive for something not functional but maybe I'm not picturing it correctly

I would explore adding an ensemble of wicker/wood bowls at each end about the width of 2 doors. Can also use cute cake plates if needed for height.

The vent can be changed to two smaller vents equaling the same capacity. They then become hidden above a higher run of uppers. One long narrower vent offers similar options.

Can you add short cabinets/crown molding up to the ceiling and extend the AC vent through a fake short cabinet front? It‘s good extra storage but costly.

If not, consider just leaving it as-is rather than putting fake plants or other decor on top of the existing upper cabinets.

If you can't afford to do it right and relocate the AC vent so you can have cabinets to the ceiling, then do NOTHING. No clutter of anything on top. Especially fake plants or import store "decor" bought to just fill up space.

Can you take a picture of the whole room> Hard to say when only seeing this one wall.

My first instinct is to put more cabinets up there and move the vent ( it is not always a big deal to move it ) . How high is the ceiling? Do you know if you can get that door style anymore?

Maybe do open cabinets up there?

Basket to sit on top of cabinets as suggested above or hung on the wall.

Same idea but with the back wall painted the same gray as the dark gray in the backsplash tiles.

Ok, so kitchens have vents. They are not beautiful, but are necessary. I would probably not go to the expense of adding more cabinets or clutter up with tchotchkes. You already have glass fronted cabinets for display of favorite items. If louvres are not necessary to close off the vent, I’d find a simple vent cover with the smallest holes, but still functional. Paint it the color of the walls, and be done. But that’s just me.

Can you show us pics of the rest of the kitchen? Context is everything. If this wall is the main focal point then I think it needs attention (please no plants or baskets, some other solution.) If you have a lot of other focal points in your kitchen then it is ok to leave as is.

Additionally, these shelves don't seem very full. Are they adjustable? It might be nice to have one shelf that aligns with the muntin, instead of two that are misaligned and break the glass up into 6 odd little areas. The red ceramics are nice and eye catching. But also draw my eye exactly to the problem area of this big open space above the cabinets.

If you replace the red with something less captivating and realign the shelves, this area might just recede more into the background and the gap at the top might be less of a visual issue.

I like @Norwood Architects idea. You could also add open cabinets/shelves to the ceiling. Where the duct is, put in a decorative grille cover. You could add a couple stacked pretty shallow bowls below it so as not to block the grille.

I would just leave it empty. Or try your paint idea; you could paint just above the cabinets or also paint adjoining backsplash wall.

Alternatively, you could hang tall art on the adjoining wall. Thin black frame.

Here's some pics of the rest of my kitchen

I would not put anything up there. Your kitchen already has a lot of visual noise with the busy tile, window treatments(?), some drawers with molding trim-some without, lots of glass front cabinets, & cubby holes. I would actually remove the bright art and find something more subtle.

I would hang a set of wall art.

Something like these..

Good design is about editing. It is about subtracting things, not covering every inch of all the surfaces in stuff. The curse of "wants super-stars and stuff" is already killing that kitchen. There's a whole lot there that could be edited away already, and it would improve. Don't add more things. Remove some existing things. And improve existing things. Like the terrible ventilation setup.

This is a very smple modern kitchen….Other than clean dishes on the counter..not sure what needs editing.? it is cream and light grey with one piece of wall art.

Thanks for posting pics of the rest of your kitchen. (I know it is a risk here because now everyone is going to start telling you how to change everything else in your kitchen!)

I would not do anything to the space above your cabinets. If you construct something, you will need to do these same to the cabinets to the left of the sink too. And then you have to consider how it all lines up with the fridge unit, which also has a gap above it.

Placing anything above your cabinets is going to be visually distracting. It is true you already have a lot of visual info in your space. But if it works for you, then great! Just don't add any more. I like the picture you have hanging to the right of the sink. It does help bring your eye down from the empty space above the cabinets. Smart placement.

After seeing thr rest of your kitchen I too would leave it blank.

Thanks everyone! Saved me some budget - I'm going to keep it as is for now

I feel like you have posted this dilemma before?

@sara cole after seeing photos of the rest of your kitchen, oh my gosh it's very pretty just as it is! If you prefer something be added, it should be minimal, compliment the area and make you smile every time you see it.

If you decide to leave it blank, consider getting a magnetic vent cover to dress up the vent as shared by @flopsycat1

Now that I can see the rest - I would do nothing. Any sort of stuff will need to be repeated on the cabinets left of the window as well . It might be too much.

If you really feel like you have to have something up there - the baskets are a nice idea and make sure to put on over those other cabinets as well ( just 1 ) .

That's the easiest -put a few up and then step back and see what you think.

Baskets and nicknacks are dust collectors…hanging a few art pieces is simple and fills the area visually.

Consider painting your walls the same color as your cabinets so it's less noticeable and more cohesive. But if you saved some decor budget, might I suggest redirecting it to a new backsplash? The gray is not working with the cabinets IMO.

I like HIWE’s suggestion of art. Also, jackowskib’s example with just the two baskets is nice.

Well I may have missed it but I still haven’t seen if the hood is actually functioning to extract the gas fumes from the home? If yes, then great - consensus is leave well enough alone. But if not then you have some work to do.