Ideas on Styling a Cabinet or Cupboard Top

I started a little "project"on top of my Dining Room China Cabinet right after we moved into this house last November. We have really high ceilings here, and I love them, but sometimes the furniture looks lost. Believe me, these pieces are huge (this one is about 7 1/2 feet tall) but there is still a big distance between the ceiling and the top of this cabinet. So now 3/4 of a year later, I finally have some kind of decor up there to help fill in this space.

As most things do now, it takes my hubby's help on a stepladder to get things accomplished. I've been unpacking in stages, and up until a few weeks ago, I had most of my "misc. decor" in large boxes in storage. But I got serious over the weekend as I was really tired of seeing this space neglected and "off balance". The cabinet doesn't have a flat surface on top, so that makes it all the harder to come up with a plan and then have the elements not be wobbly and crooked.

Here are some ideas on how to Style a Cabinet Top:

1. Keep objects similar in decor style and theme

(i.e. Country French, Farmhouse, Traditional, Cottage)

2. Stay with larger proportioned elements that are easily seen

3. Find a variety of textures.

4. Try to keep a uniform color palette

5. Resist the urge to overdo it. (hard one)

6. Remember to "balance" your items.

I was going for a natural combination of objects, color, and texture, using wood, baskets, florals, and metals. I wanted a neutral gathering of similar objects and style, that would lend itself to a French Country look. I kept my two wood wine crates and the lavender. Next, I used an old basket with handles with a mix of dried and faux hydrangeas. Then, to add a little height and another texture I placed an empty iron urn in the center for some balance.

The pic below is from January. See what I mean? I had one of two lanterns and I thought that was a good starting point...but nothing else worked up there and it was too heavy for me to get down. so...I had to wait until inspiration jumped on me.

This is a pic from the old house Dining Room, with it's much lower ceilings.

It was much easier to come up with something there.

Here are some pics from my other attempts at decorating cabinet tops...

Kitchen sitting room at the lease house.

Suitcases on the Holiday Cupboard at the old house.

 Birdcage and tapestry above the armoire in the Living Room. 

I may try this tapestry again, since it's such a large piece.

Vintage suitcases again and a hatbox in the master bedroom.

Most of these next images can be found on my Pinterest Board: Cupboards. 

I love the variety of vintage elements, most with a Country French vibe.

 Demijohns and baskets are big enough to cause some visual interest.

grouping of topiaries and architectural elements

Love the idea of a painting or print.

 I tried that but didn't have anything large enough.

Keeping the palette in whites, neutrals or the same hue.

Basket AND wonderful print.

French Country Cottage

Basket with flowers...

and more baskets...

(not on a cupboard, but this would look wonderful)

 Opulent Cottage

Large copper boiler...so very French looking.

wonderful lunch hampers from Chippy Shabby

another basket...

metal basket

Galvanized vintage container

Old signage with an interesting shape.

I think a copy of this was in Ballard's catalogue a few years ago.

(or maybe this is a copy)

Beautiful old doll house and fruit basket

The Country Farm Home

another basket with hydrangeas...

can't go wrong with this.

Peeking Thru the Sunflowers

and Anita's wonderful cupboards at

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

That was fun...

Do you have cupboard or cabinet tops 

that are screaming for a makeover?

Hope you all are having a good start to your week,

just came back from a doctor's week in St. Louis.

It's too hot, wherever you go...

Hope you'll join in Wednesday for 

I'm linking up here:

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

The Scoop at Stone Gable

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Dream Create Inspire at Lehman Lane

Foodie Friday and Everything Else at Rattlebridge Farm

Treasure Hunt at From My Front Porch to Yours

Craftberry Bush

Inspiration Monday at Redhead Can Decorate

xoxo,