Garland Above Kitchen Cabinets: How to Decorate the Forgotten Zone

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That awkward space between your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling? It’s more than a dust trap – it’s prime real estate for creating cozy, elevated holiday vibes.

Adding garland above your cabinets gives instant height, texture, and sparkle to your kitchen without taking up a single inch of counter space.

Why You’ll Love This Look

  • Uses overlooked space in a high-impact way
  • Makes your whole kitchen feel festive from top to bottom
  • Super flexible — works with modern, rustic, or traditional styles
  • Can be done with one strand of garland and a couple of hooks

What You’ll Need

  • Faux garland (pine, cedar, eucalyptus — your pick)
  • Optional: battery-operated fairy lights, ribbon, picks, berries, or dried citrus
  • Adhesive mini hooks or clear command clips
  • Step stool (unless you’re freakishly tall)

How to Style It

  • Lay your base: Run a single garland strand across the tops of your cabinets. If the space is broken up, divide into sections and leave small gaps.
  • Secure it: Use mini hooks, adhesive clips, or even a bit of floral wire to anchor the garland so it doesn’t slip.
  • Add extras: Layer in fairy lights, bows, or floral picks depending on your style.
  • Fluff + shape: Bend wired branches outward for volume and fullness.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to force it into one perfect line. Let the garland flow naturally or gather in soft swags for more dimension.

Style Ideas

Classic Christmas Garland Look

farmhouse style kitchen with christmas greenery garland draped across top of cabinets with red bows and white lights
  • Thick pine garland with warm white LED lights
  • Red plaid ribbon tied every 2–3 feet
  • Faux berries and pinecones for texture
  • Great for traditional kitchens with white or dark cabinets

Minimal & Modern Garland Style

White kitchen cabinets with eucalyptus garland with lights strung across the cabinets.
  • Eucalyptus, olive branch, or cedar garland
  • No ribbon or just a soft neutral (linen, taupe, or ivory)
  • Tiny fairy lights tucked within
  • Perfect for light wood or Scandinavian-inspired spaces

Textured & Natural Look

White kitchen cabinets with a swag of greenery garland and dried oranges strung across the cabinets with a rustic burlap bow.
  • Mixed greenery base (pine, juniper, cedar)
  • Layered with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or faux florals
  • Burlap, jute, or twine ribbon for a handmade touch
  • Works well in farmhouse, organic modern, or rustic homes

Dramatic Draped Garland

A white kitchen with a dramatic and full faux pin garland with white pinecones, red ribbons, and white lights draped across.
  • Use thicker garland for bold volume
  • Drape loosely over cabinet corners and edges
  • Add oversized bows or floral picks at the ends
  • Secure the drapes with hidden hooks so they stay put

Stability + Safety Tips

  • Always secure your garland in multiple places (not just the ends)
  • Keep lights battery-operated — skip plugs unless you have outlets up high
  • Avoid real candles or anything flammable (we like drama, not disaster)

You don’t need a mantel to make garland magic – just a few feet of greenery and the tops of your cabinets. Whether you go bold, rustic, or clean and modern, this is one of the easiest ways to bring the holiday spirit right into the heart of your home.

Garland Above Kitchen Cabinets: How to Decorate the Forgotten Zone

That awkward space between your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling? It’s more than a dust trap – it’s prime real estate for creating cozy, elevated holiday vibes.

Adding garland above your cabinets gives instant height, texture, and sparkle to your kitchen without taking up a single inch of counter space.

Why You’ll Love This Look

  • Uses overlooked space in a high-impact way
  • Makes your whole kitchen feel festive from top to bottom
  • Super flexible — works with modern, rustic, or traditional styles
  • Can be done with one strand of garland and a couple of hooks

What You’ll Need

  • Faux garland (pine, cedar, eucalyptus — your pick)
  • Optional: battery-operated fairy lights, ribbon, picks, berries, or dried citrus
  • Adhesive mini hooks or clear command clips
  • Step stool (unless you’re freakishly tall)

How to Style It

  • Lay your base: Run a single garland strand across the tops of your cabinets. If the space is broken up, divide into sections and leave small gaps.
  • Secure it: Use mini hooks, adhesive clips, or even a bit of floral wire to anchor the garland so it doesn’t slip.
  • Add extras: Layer in fairy lights, bows, or floral picks depending on your style.
  • Fluff + shape: Bend wired branches outward for volume and fullness.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to force it into one perfect line. Let the garland flow naturally or gather in soft swags for more dimension.

Style Ideas

Classic Christmas Garland Look

farmhouse style kitchen with christmas greenery garland draped across top of cabinets with red bows and white lights
  • Thick pine garland with warm white LED lights
  • Red plaid ribbon tied every 2–3 feet
  • Faux berries and pinecones for texture
  • Great for traditional kitchens with white or dark cabinets

Minimal & Modern Garland Style

White kitchen cabinets with eucalyptus garland with lights strung across the cabinets.
  • Eucalyptus, olive branch, or cedar garland
  • No ribbon or just a soft neutral (linen, taupe, or ivory)
  • Tiny fairy lights tucked within
  • Perfect for light wood or Scandinavian-inspired spaces

Textured & Natural Look

White kitchen cabinets with a swag of greenery garland and dried oranges strung across the cabinets with a rustic burlap bow.
  • Mixed greenery base (pine, juniper, cedar)
  • Layered with dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or faux florals
  • Burlap, jute, or twine ribbon for a handmade touch
  • Works well in farmhouse, organic modern, or rustic homes

Dramatic Draped Garland

A white kitchen with a dramatic and full faux pin garland with white pinecones, red ribbons, and white lights draped across.
  • Use thicker garland for bold volume
  • Drape loosely over cabinet corners and edges
  • Add oversized bows or floral picks at the ends
  • Secure the drapes with hidden hooks so they stay put

Stability + Safety Tips

  • Always secure your garland in multiple places (not just the ends)
  • Keep lights battery-operated — skip plugs unless you have outlets up high
  • Avoid real candles or anything flammable (we like drama, not disaster)

You don’t need a mantel to make garland magic – just a few feet of greenery and the tops of your cabinets. Whether you go bold, rustic, or clean and modern, this is one of the easiest ways to bring the holiday spirit right into the heart of your home.