I’ve recently been working on a kitchen refresh (I just added some much needed color to my kitchen)! And have been asked about the decor shelf I have in my kitchen that I added with the sole purpose of having a place for more cute things in my life. If you’re wondering how to build a shelf below upper cabinets, I hope this walk-through inspires you to try it too.

Our 1905 kitchen came with taller ceilings-9 feet high- which are so beautiful! But they also posed a big question during our remodel: how should we install the upper cabinets? The old ones didn’t go to the ceiling, leaving nearly two feet of wasted space that just collected dust. I hated that! We have a small kitchen so I wanted cabinets that went to the ceiling for more storage.

After thinking on the issue for a while, I landed on a fun and functional solution. I decided to build a shelf below the upper cabinets for a display area. This idea was partly inspired by The Grit and Polish, who also added a shelf under their upper cabinets. I put my own spin on it, but their lovely kitchen really helped me when I was trying to figure out a lovely solution for displaying more items in a tight space.

how to Build a Shelf Below Upper Cabinets

SUPPLIES

1×2 pine board (cut to the length of your backsplash)
5″ baseboard (for the shelf surface)
Wood filler
Finger Sander
Paintable caulk
Stud finder
Scallop trim (optional, for decorative edge)

step 1- tile and wallpaper

From the countertops to the bottom of the cabinets, we had just over 18″ of space- well within the typical 18–24″ range. That worked perfectly for countertop tasks, but I wanted something more: a charming spot to display decor that still left room for backsplash and visual interest.

So, we tiled up 13 inches (exactly four rows of subway tile).

Then we added wallpaper above the tile to inject a pop of personality. I love this approach because the tile is practical and easy to clean, while the wallpaper can be easily swapped out when I want a refresh.

I’ve now switched the wallpaper out 3 times! I know that this isn’t for everyone, but when I get the whim and an extra hour, it’s a quick way to get a new look without a renovation. And bonus, I can usually use wallpaper scraps I have on hand.

step 2- add the shelf below the cabinets

Next, let’s move onto the fun part: how to build a shelf below upper cabinets using simple, affordable materials. Here’s what we did:

We cut a 1×2 piece of wood to the length of our backsplash (88 inches).
Next, we screwed it directly into the studs to create a sturdy bracket.

Because I knew it’d be tricky to paint later, I painted the front and bottom white.

Then, we took a piece of 5″ tall craftsman baseboard and nailed it on top of the 1×2 to act as the shelf.
To finish it off, I filled the screw and nail holes with wood filler, sanded everything smooth, caulked the seams, and painted the entire shelf white to match the cabinets.

HERE ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF OUR SHELF:

Height above counter to bottom of shelf: 13″
Depth of shelf: 5″
Shelf to bottom of cabinet: 8″

These are pictures from when we finished the kitchen remodel in 2021.

We’ve since did a few changes including adding scalloped trim to the front of the shelf for a little French patisserie flair. Plus I switched out the wallpaper/ I’ll share those pictures below so you can see a few styling options. I want to inspire you to make this simple addition your own!

after

I’m really happy with how the proportions turned out visually! It feels balanced and gives me just enough display space without crowding the backsplash area.

This little shelf gets so many compliments and questions. And while it looks custom and high-end, it’s actually an easy DIY anyone can pull off. I’ve used it to display everything from my Lenox spice village to my cabbage ware collection, and it makes grabbing everyday decor or seasonal items a breeze.

What I love about it is that you still have a backlash of cleanable tiles that’s practical for cooking in a kitchen. Then you get a place for display AND some pretty wallpaper that’s protected from food splatters by the shelf. Practical meets pretty- now that’s my love language.

If you’re tackling a kitchen renovation or just want to elevate your storage, now you know how to build a shelf below upper cabinets for a unique look. Would you try this in your kitchen? Let me know in the comments!

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