PS- later if you are able add a tile backsplash- that will help draw your eye there and not up above!

Carolina...Yes, I think it would! And not too expensive either.

IMO the only thing on top of cabinets should be rolled out paper towel to catch the dust. Replace it spring and fall and you are good to go.

Whoa, great idea on the paper towels.

Lay rope lighting up there. It will add a lot of interest.

Baskets with lids to keep things that you don't use often, greenery,

I happen to like a bit of decor above cabinets. I recently edited my assortment of "stuff" and I do like it better with less. I don't get the paper towel thing though. I just use a Swiffer duster or Swiffer dry cloth to collect the dust. I think they grab and hold the dust better IMO. But one way or another, of course, it will need cleaning just like everything else in a house. :)

I agree with djohn design- a very large round clock (see Ballard Designs) or round wall sculpture ( check Homegoods) centered. The peak already draws your eye up there. Have fun with it!

I too like a bit of organized clutter atop my cabinets. I like to find unusual large objects to put up. I could give a rat's a_ _ if it is out dated or not. I hate magnets on refrigerators but 90% of homes I go in have them??? Do what makes you happy :)

ohcbarrat- I just noticed that clutter you have hanging on the side of your refrig., take it down, I hear it is outdated LOL

Margo, my you are up late!! See lots of comments from you all around Houzz tonight! :))

I am just having a good ol' time laughing at the computer... I should go to bed and then I say oh, just one more dilemma LOL

What about an assortment of large baskets

Houzz can be a time-suck!!

It depends on the rest of the room. If it's a large great room, then go with the big stuff. You can also get rid of the high point by bringing your tan paint line down to the level of the ceiling to the right. Paint the "triangle" white like your ceiling and the whole high area disappears. Sometimes this works better than " fighting" a high ceiling line with "stuff."

I agree with what others have said. Basically, kitchens already have a ton of things going on visually and you don't want to add to that with visual clutter. If you feel strongly that you need to have something up there, I would put a very large over sized painting, sign, or fun object that has some meaning to you centered on the highest point of the ceiling.

FYI- there are 22,796 photo's in Houzz listed with *decor on top of cabinets*. This is the first one that came up so I copied. It is alive and well ;)) Just preference.

Vary the scale of the items into groups of 3 items. The items should also vary in scale such as a large item in the middle and two medium ones on either side or the medium pieces on one side of the large item. Vary the group of 3 items with a single basket. Don't fill in the entire area with décor. choose 3 or 5 places and leave the rest empty. I like the basket idea for one or two areas. Up lighting would be easy and effective. Run electrical cords down the inside of the cabinets for a neater look.
A large piece of art to the left of the refrig could be the inspiration for a color to paint the wall behind the cupboards for extra dramatic effect.

A nice big ceramic rooster would add that special touch . a symbol of good luck for many :)

http://www.portugalroosters.com/roostershop/pc/index.asp

I'm a little wrought iron crazy these days so I would put a nice piece of wall art above the cabinets and that's all. Nothing sitting on top of the cabinets so that you can clean it easily. You could go classic or whimsical depending on your style. Some ideas in the pictures attached...

This is a classic, minimalist kitchen with clean lines. I'm afraid that some of these suggestions are suitable for a much busier style of kitchen, not this one.

too bad it's not an outside wall. You could add one of those large triangular windows to let in a lot of light

Backsplash and great countertop lighting will bring the eye to below the cabinets rather than the awkwardness above it. I agree with the person who suggested painting a cool feature color up above the cabinetry or even a really cool wallpaper. A large piece of artwork - treetops!

Here you go a mural over the cabinets;)

Or as Cadmium suggested, decal treetops ;)

I would think myself of cooking outdoor with all those trees Margo ,....no bugs though:))

Please let your husband know that I think he was 100% right to insist on a straight uniform top line to cabinets.

I think -the small items would look better if kept together and staggered in height - maybe on top of cookbooks or something attractive. My preference is to add a large object - but I would go horizontal so I am not drawing the eye up to the peak.

I love the idea of treetops, how wonderful :)

Group items in 3 s or 5 s. Very tall and very large. No small items like you have. Make them bold colors like, yellow, peacock, black, silver. Big pots are good. If placing signs use a tall easel. Michaels carries. Put in corners.

Genevieve love yr post.

Margo, always love your post.

travis- always love your post *group hug*

The mural idea is genius. You could do wall beside refrig. Then carry up over cabinets. A wallpaper could work too. I like the white birch trees. Simple, but makes a statement. Then nothing on cabinets.

For sure add a backsplash. Glass tile or subway.

Your towel on stove. Would be nice just take 2 colors and mix with cream and black.

"If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen " no more , a feel of the outdoor is refreshing top it with a ceiling fan and we got it made .

It actually is an outside wall, but how expensive is it to make a window, anyone know?

I saw a great idea on houzz kitchens .... one section could be an open wine storage area cupboard

It IS an outside wall??? I vote window all the way!!!!

Carla Aston's How to Decorate The Top of a Cabinet ( and How Not To) was pretty useful but the link is best viewed on a desk top.

http://carlaaston.com/designed/how-to-decorate-cabinet-top

What is your design style? The cabinets are dark and draw the eye down. I think you should lift the eye with some interest up high: art, framed fabric in shape if pitch roof, architectural salvage or ethnic trays, large retro sign, old sleigh (mountain home) perhaps, but not dishes or plants.

We used glass art pieces.

Your glass art pieces should be grouped in groups of threes with varying sizes/clours.
Would prob look much better.

Love these baskets

Awkward space a bit dated looking to put items on top. To update I would wallpaper on that pointed wall to give it a modern look a beautiful print or grass cloth would b great

Maybe I need to upload more it is a great room (dining, family room, kitchen all connected) that wall on the other side of the fridge is the dining area wall so it's the same wall as above the cupboards if that makes sense?

I like what you've chosen but agree that adding a larger object would improve the look. Alternatively , a wallpapered accent wall would be cool. Can I ask what color the paint is?

Kwal knapweed

Just curious what you ended up doing here. I found you because someone posted my article here.