30 Christmas Decor Above Kitchen Cabinets Ideas

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays! But that unused space above the cabinets?

It’s prime real estate for festive magic.

Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Christmas wonderland with these 30 inspiring, easy, and totally fun DIY ideas!

1. Evergreen Garland Glow

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There’s nothing cozier than the soft, flickering light of a warm glow spilling onto your kitchen ceiling. This look is the cozy foundation of classic holiday decor!

How To DIY It:

• Purchase faux evergreen garland (you’ll need enough to cover the length of your cabinets).
• Lay it down, then gently weave in a string of warm white fairy lights (battery-operated sets with timers are easiest!).
• Ensure the lights are evenly distributed for a smooth, ambient light effect.

2. Mini Christmas Village Display

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Create a charming, scaled-down winter town right above your prep area. It instantly transports your kitchen into a storybook setting and is pure nostalgia.

How To DIY It:

• Start with a base of white cotton batting or faux snow fabric.
• Arrange a row of small ceramic or cardboard village houses, miniature bottlebrush trees, and tiny lampposts.
• Slightly elevate some pieces using small, overturned bowls underneath the cotton batting for depth.

3. Rustic Farmhouse Charm

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If your home leans cozy-country, this look is for you. Combine natural elements and simple textiles for a comforting, down-to-earth Christmas kitchen.

How To DIY It:

• Gather natural items like pinecones and mix them with pieces of wide, wired burlap ribbon.
• Place a few vintage or distressed lanterns throughout the display.
• Use small clusters of faux red berries to add pops of color.

4. Elegant Gold & White Theme

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Create a refined, glamorous holiday display that feels less like a typical Christmas explosion and more like a chic winter art installation.

How To DIY It:

• Use white ceramic trees or snow-dusted white foliage as your primary element.
• Interspace them with clusters of gold ornaments in various sizes (matte and shiny finishes work best).
• Keep the greenery minimal and simple.

5. Simple Greenery & Candles

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Keep it minimalist and sophisticated. This look works perfectly in modern or transitional kitchens where you want subtle warmth, not clutter.

How To DIY It:

• Use plain, high-quality faux garland and tuck in sprigs of eucalyptus for a fresh scent and texture.
• Strategically place flameless pillar candles (the kind with remote control are a lifesaver!) at different heights to add soft, safe light.

6. Red Berry Accents

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Inject cheerful, classic Christmas color right where you need it most! The small bursts of red berries look gorgeous against white or wood cabinets.

How To DIY It:

• Start with your base greenery (garland or individual picks).
• Purchase several bunches of faux red berries and simply tuck them deep into the garland, creating small clusters every foot or so.

7. Plaid Ribbon Magic

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Plaid instantly adds a traditional, homey, and cozy cabin feel. It’s an easy way to make your display look professionally styled.

How To DIY It:

• Choose a plaid ribbon that complements your kitchen colors (red/black, green/navy, or buffalo check).
• Create simple bows or just weave the ribbon loosely through your existing garland, letting the ends drape slightly over the cabinet fronts.

8. Frosted Pine Garland

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Embrace the look of a fresh snowfall indoors with a frosty, winter wonderland effect that feels crisp and bright.

How To DIY It:

• Purchase snow-dusted or flocked garland.
• Use matching white or silver ornaments to decorate the garland.
• A few clear glass ornaments can also catch the light beautifully, enhancing the icy look.

9. Wreath Trio Display

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A balanced and symmetrical look that draws the eye upward. This works particularly well if you have three equally sized cabinet sections.

How To DIY It:

• Acquire three small, matching Christmas wreaths (about 10-12 inches wide).
• Use thick, festive ribbon (red velvet is classic) to hang them from the top edge of the cabinet, ensuring they are evenly spaced and hang at the same height.

10. Twinkle Light Garland

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Sometimes, the simplest touches are the most effective. Twinkle lights bring that instant magical glow we all love.

How To DIY It:

• Use lightweight battery-powered micro LED fairy lights.
• Wrap them tightly around a simple, thin faux greenery vine or garland.
• Since the lights are small, they disappear during the day but provide maximum sparkle at night.

11. Nutcracker Lineup

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Displaying a row of these classic soldier figurines is a playful, nostalgic tradition that adds height and character to the space.

How To DIY It:

• Collect a series of nutcracker figurines of similar height.
• Line them up directly above the cabinets.
• If your cabinets are deep, place them toward the front edge. You can use a thin, plain runner underneath them to define the space.

12. Cottagecore Touches

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This trend is all about warmth, nature, and handmade items. It creates a genuinely charming and unique kitchen display.

How To DIY It:

• Intersperse small ceramic cottages or mushrooms within your greenery.
• Use delicate white lace ribbon instead of traditional wired ribbon.
• You can even hang tiny, knitted mini stockings from the garland for a homespun feel.

13. Vintage Cookie Tins

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Repurposing holiday containers is a budget-friendly way to add genuine, warm nostalgia. The graphic patterns of old tins look fantastic from below.

How To DIY It:

• Search thrift stores or your grandma’s attic for colorful, vintage holiday cookie tins.
• Arrange them upside down at varying heights (using sturdy boxes underneath for support) and space them out along the cabinet tops.

14. Mason Jar Lanterns

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A clever, budget-friendly light feature that offers a rustic, warm glow without the cost of expensive lanterns.

How To DIY It:

• Fill mason jars with a layer of faux snow or coarse salt.
• Drop a small LED tea light or string of micro lights into each jar.
• Line the jars up strategically, especially in corners, to cast light onto your garland.

15. Pinecone Garland DIY

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Stringing natural pinecones is a simple craft that results in an organic, nature-inspired look perfect for winter.

How To DIY It:

• Collect or purchase a batch of pinecones.
• Drill a small hole in the top of each, or use a hot glue gun to attach small wire hooks.
• String them onto twine or fishing line.
• Mix in loops of white ribbon as you drape the garland over the cabinets.

16. Winter Woodland Scene

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Bring the tranquility of a snowy forest inside by creating a mini forest scene that runs the length of your cabinet tops.

How To DIY It:

• Use a base of faux snow.
• Group various sizes of bottle brush trees (green and white).
• Add small faux deer or woodland creatures among the trees.
• Sprinkle with a touch of snow powder for a fresh look.

17. Gingerbread Village Display

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Turn your kitchen into a whimsical bakery! This playful, scented display is especially fun if you have kids.

How To DIY It:

• Line up gingerbread houses (real or ceramic).
• Add colorful accents like faux gumdrops, candy canes, and icing details (if using ceramic).
• If you use real gingerbread, make sure to keep them well out of reach!

18. Metallic Ornament Garland

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For a sleek, elegant shimmer, skip the ribbons and berries and focus entirely on mixing beautiful, glittering metallic spheres.

How To DIY It:

• Thread gold, silver, and bronze ornaments onto floral wire or attach them to your existing evergreen garland using small ornament hooks.
• Focus on grouping them in trios or clusters for maximum visual impact.

19. Snowflake Wonderland

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This airy, delicate display makes your kitchen feel light, bright, and perfectly ready for a flurry!

How To DIY It:

• Hang delicate white or sheer snowflake ornaments from the top lip of the cabinets using clear fishing line or thin white thread.
• You want them to dangle just slightly above the cabinet tops.
• You can also scatter larger snowflake cutouts on the surface.

20. Warm Candlelight Display

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Create a soft, welcoming atmosphere with a glowing arrangement that feels like the perfect fireside companion.

How To DIY It:

• Focus on flameless pillar candles of different heights.
• Place them on small decorative trays or candleholders.
• Arrange them in small groups (odd numbers like 3 or 5 work best) along the cabinet tops for a soft, flickering glow.

21. Burlap & Greenery Combo

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This pairing is a timeless classic that screams farmhouse chic. The contrast between the rough burlap and smooth greenery is lovely.

How To DIY It:

• Use a basic faux pine garland.
• Layer a wide, un-wired burlap runner underneath or behind the garland.
• Let the burlap spill over the front edge slightly.
• Use natural twine to tie the elements together.

22. Faux Snow Garland

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Elevate basic garland by making it look like it just came in from a fresh winter storm.

How To DIY It:

• If you don’t have pre-flocked garland, you can DIY it!
• Lay your garland on a drop cloth.
• Use flocking spray or a mixture of white paint and Epsom salt (apply with a brush) to create the snowy effect.
• Let it dry completely before installing.

23. Red and Green Classic Mix

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The ultimate traditional holiday look. This color palette is instantly recognizable and always feels joyful.

How To DIY It:

• Use a combination of green garland and bright red velvet bows.
• Add small touches of gold accents (like bells or small ornaments) to prevent the colors from looking too heavy.

24. Mini Santa Figurines

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Scatter a few cheerful, tiny Santa figures above your cabinets for a whimsical surprise that delights guests and adds a bit of humor.

How To DIY It:

• Purchase small, decorative Santa figurines (or elves, or snowmen!).
• Place them nestled in the greenery, peeking out from behind a lantern, or sitting atop a stack of books.
• You want them to feel like playful Easter eggs!

25. Modern Minimalist Vibe

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If you hate clutter and prefer clean lines, stick to a monochrome palette with simple, geometric shapes.

How To DIY It:

• Use sleek white ceramic trees or matte black candleholders.
• Keep the garland extremely sparse (think a single, straight line of plain cypress or juniper).
• The key here is simplicity and negative space.

26. Candy Cane Garland

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A playful choice that adds bright, striped color and a festive, minty association to your kitchen.

How To DIY It:

• Use standard green garland.
• Purchase large, plastic candy canes (or non-melting plastic ornaments that look like them).
• Use floral wire or simple hooks to hang them directly from the garland, making them look like they are floating above the cabinets.

27. Warm Wood Accents

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Introduce natural, earthy texture to keep the kitchen warm and cozy. Wood tones pair beautifully with almost any cabinet color.

How To DIY It:

• Intersperse your greenery with small, flat wooden cutouts of trees, reindeer, or stars.
• You can leave the wood unfinished or stain it a deep walnut color for a richer look.
• Stack a few small wooden blocks for height variety.

28. Twisted Ribbon Swag

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Adding metallic ribbon gives extra shine and holiday glitz without the visual weight of heavy bows or ornaments.

How To DIY It:

• Purchase several rolls of thin, shiny metallic ribbon (silver, gold, or copper).
• Instead of making bows, simply twist the ribbons together and then drape the twisted strand loosely throughout your evergreen garland.

29. White Ceramic Houses

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This look provides a peaceful, neutral-toned Christmas aesthetic. The soft light emanating from the houses feels instantly calming.

How To DIY It:

• Collect a series of varying sizes of white ceramic houses (often found in the candle or holiday aisles).
• Place small, battery-operated LED tea lights inside to create a warm glow, and line them up across the cabinet tops.

30. Holiday Message Banner

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A simple, straightforward way to get a festive message across that draws the eye and gives the space a celebratory feel.

How To DIY It:

• Purchase or craft a simple banner that says “Merry Christmas” or “Joy to the World.”


• Use small, clear hooks or pieces of painter’s tape to gently secure the banner’s string to the very top edge of the cabinet face so it hangs down slightly.

Phew! That’s 30 ways to add sparkle, charm, and holiday cheer right where you whip up those famous holiday cookies.

We hope these ideas inspired you to look up and give that empty space a merry makeover.

Which idea is heading straight to your kitchen this year? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to share this post with your fellow holiday enthusiasts and pin your favorite ideas for next year!