Above Cabinet Abyss?

[CohenCottage]

Any ideas on what to do with the dead space above kitchen cabinets? We need to use it as storage, but I don't want it to look cluttered or country. Here are some photos I found for inspiration on the interweb...I think baskets would work if they were uniform and understated...Thoughts? It would be great to stick our china and crystal up there since we don't use it often (or ever)...

[Nikki]

I love the basket idea! Personally, I would use a lidded basket to keep everything from getting dusty.

[CohenCottage]

That would be great...I've been trying to find lidded baskets to use in our bathroom open shelving (so you can't see all the toiletries), but they are hard to find!

[Gigi]

I second the basket- great idea about lidded basket-dust free inside the basket for great storage.

[Zuzu's Garden]

CC -

I have two very large baskets on top of my armoire for added storage (and visual interest). One is lidded and the other is open w/ handles. I plan to purchase King size pillowcases to put inside them to keep the dust off of the contents. The baskets had been in storage for over 5 years, so I sprayed them w/ lemon oil and then wiped the excess off. The lemon oil will help prevent the baskets from drying out and cracking.

Zu

[CohenCottage]

That's a great tip about the lemon oil. Do you use a specific type? I think we will be storing our china and crystal up there, and those are in little cloth dish-holders already, so the dust won't be on the dishes themselves. I wonder if you could cut foam core to fit just inside the basket to make a lid? Then you wouldn't be able to see the foam...Hmm...I'm about to climb up on the counters and measure the space b/c I may be going to Ikea today. They had some nice baskets the last time I was there...

[Zuzu's Garden]

CC - no specific type. Just the same thing I use on my furniture. Have fun with your project!
Zu

[annielinz]

Love the basket look on top of the cabinents!
If your thinking foam core to put on top for a lid how about wrapping it with material or pretty paper. OR, if you're thinking of going with a rustic look, when I was at the fabric store I saw burlap sooo cheap and I'm just itching to think of something to do with it. You could wrap the foam core with that and it'll blend in with the basket color.

[CohenCottage]

Covering foam core in fabric is a GREAT idea! We used burlap as table cloths outdoors when we hosted an engagement party last fall...So cheap and so swank.

Today I went in to Atlanta and made visit to the remodeled Pottery Barn store. Guess what they had...LIDDED BASKETS! I got enough to put 2 per shelf in our bathroom and got home and only one would fit on each shelf. Guess I should have measured...

Anyway, we could put the extra ones above the cabinets, put the existing bathroom baskets above the cabinets, or return the new baskets and start the search again.

Can't wait to hear what y'all think...

Photo #1 - new, lidded basket on top of cabinets

Photo #2 - Large bathroom basket on top of cabinets

Photo #3 - 2 small bathroom baskets on top of cabinets

[shabbychick]

I think I like the look of the big lidded basket better than the two small ones. If it were me, I might scoot that big basket to one side or the other and put something round next to it so you don't have too many square shapes all in one area. Also, I think a bit of pretty fabric (maybe even lacy?) peeking out from between the lid and the basket would give it a softer look. I do like the nubby texture of the basket against the smoother surface of the cupboard. Good find on the baskets!

[CohenCottage]

Which of the larger baskets do you like best? The one in the first photo has a lid and is slightly smaller than the second one, and the one in the second photo doesn't have a lid but is a bit larger.

[annielinz]

Great find on baskets! I like picture number 1 with the lid and I also like picture 3 with the two, but scootch them apart till they are at the edge so there is a tad bit of space between them. I think a combo of basket sizes will give more interest.

[shabbychick]

I prefer the lidded basket to the larger, lidless one. I think you don't want to make it look too top-heavy up there.

[cheapdiva]

Personally, I don't think you can ever have enough baskets! In my next life when I have plenty of time (yeah, right!!) I am going to have baskets with beautiful tailored and ruffled liners - all custom of course!!!;)

[Gigi]

Cohencottage- Well look at that- you found some wonderful baskets! I love them above your cabinets!

Oh I would have had fun in a newly decorated Pottery Barn- I don't have one around here- mostly see the items online and they send me some catalogs.


Baskets not only look great, but are such wonderful storage- BUT don't be like me-- I have stored things in baskets-then forgot about the items... :o

[CohenCottage]

They weren't cheap, but they are definitely better quality than the Hobby Lobby ones! I noticed that lots of stuff I saw in the store yesterday isn't available online or in the catalog, so I'm going to start making a point to go when I'm in Atlanta.

[RoseMary]

Nice baskets! I like the way they look on top of the cabinets. They were a great find for you. Sometimes finding decent looking baskets is hard unless you're willing to pay big bucks.

I was looking for a lidded basket to go on top of my craft cabinet, but finally just covered a box with wall paper. It works well, and I'm trying to use what I have before I buy, so I guess I saved a little bit of money on that project.

[mavgal]

The baskets look great. Myself, I would love space above my cabinets for all my antique kitchen stuff, I love 30's, 40's kitchen dishes, appliances, etc and wish I had somewhere like that to put them!

[Suz]

Baskets are the way to go. I love them! I think #1 looks the best from the 3 pictures. It seems more proportional. I have baskets in every room I think...they are pretty and functional as well :) Good find btw!

[CohenCottage]

Thanks Suz! We all have excellent taste b/c we prefer the pricier baskets! I've really been enjoying them in the bathroom too...makes me glad I measured wrong and ended up with too many baskets.

I'm so busy (and lazy), though, that I haven't put anything in the kitchen baskets yet! Maybe that will happen this weekend?

Do y'all think we should add crown moulding to the tops of our cabinets?

[shabbychick]

I don't think you necessarily need crown molding in the kitchen. It looks from your pictures like you've got plenty of trim and wood in there as it is, and it might just compete with the baskets. I think your kitchen would look just as good without it.