8 Uses for the Gap Above the Refrigerator
On this page10 sections
The space above the refrigerator is one of the most awkward spots in any kitchen. Almost every kitchen has one, and almost nobody uses it well. It is too high to reach easily, often too deep to see into, and it usually ends up as a dusty dumping ground for cereal boxes, a spare roasting pan, and things nobody remembers buying. In a small kitchen, though, that gap might be the biggest unused storage space in the room.
The trick is to match the space to the right things: items you use occasionally, that are light, and that are easy to grab from a step stool. The eight ideas below show how to turn kitchen dead space above the fridge into something organized, useful, and even good-looking.
Before you start, empty the space completely. Throw out expired food, donate gadgets you have not used in a year, and move everyday items somewhere lower. What is left is the true list of things that need a home up high, and it is usually shorter than you expect. For the rest of the room, the small kitchen organization post covers drawers, pantry, and counters.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A quick safety note
Refrigerators release heat, mostly from the back and sometimes the top. Check your model’s manual for the clearance it needs above and behind, and do not block the vents. Never store anything heavy above head height, and keep anything flammable or heat-sensitive away from the top of the fridge. Use a sturdy step stool, not a chair, to reach the space.
It helps to keep that stool close. A slim folding stool stored in the gap beside the fridge, or hung on a hook inside the pantry door, means you will actually use the high storage instead of avoiding it.
1. A deep cabinet above the refrigerator
Many kitchens have a short cabinet above the fridge that is the standard 12 inches deep, leaving most of the space behind it wasted and unreachable. Replacing it with a deep cabinet, 24 inches deep to match the fridge, makes the space far more useful and brings the front edge closer to you.
A deep cabinet looks built in, especially with panels on each side of the fridge. Inside, it can hold trays, platters, and seasonal items. If replacing the cabinet is not possible, a pull-out shelf or bin inside the existing one helps you reach the back.
When ordering a new deep cabinet, measure the gap carefully: the width between side panels or walls, the height from the top of the fridge to the ceiling or the top of the neighboring cabinets, and the depth of the fridge itself. Leave the clearance the manufacturer specifies above the fridge for airflow. Doors that lift up rather than swing out are easier to use at this height, since you will not have to lean around a door while standing on a stool.
Panels on each side of the fridge do more than look good. They give the deep cabinet something solid to sit on and hide the sides of the fridge, which makes even an ordinary appliance look built in.
Get the look
2. Vertical dividers for trays and boards
The height above the fridge suits flat items stored upright: baking sheets, cutting boards, cooling racks, muffin tins, and serving trays. Add vertical dividers inside the cabinet, or a freestanding tray organizer on top of the fridge, and you can pull out exactly one item without lifting the rest.
This is one of the best uses of the space because these items are light, used weekly at most, and awkward to store anywhere else.
Measure the inside height of the space before buying dividers, and leave a little room above the tallest tray so it slides out easily. Tension-mounted dividers need no screws and can be moved as your collection changes. Put the items you use most at the front edge of the cabinet, where they are easiest to grab.
Get the look
3. Baskets with labels
If the space is open, a row of matching baskets keeps things tidy and stops the top of the fridge from looking cluttered. Woven baskets look warm; clear bins let you see inside. Matching baskets make the space look calm from across the room, even when what is inside them is a jumble. Label the front of each so you know what is up there without pulling it down. Simple clip-on labels or a paint pen on a wooden tag work well and can be changed as contents change.
Good contents: spare paper towels, napkins, picnic supplies, party goods, backup snacks, and rarely used gadgets.
Choose baskets with handles on the front edge so you can pull them down easily from a step stool. Measure the depth: baskets that are too deep end up out of reach at the back, while shallow ones in a deep space leave room for things to fall behind. Two rows of baskets, with the back row on a riser, can work in a deep space.
Keep the weight of each basket low. A basket full of cans is a hazard over your head; a basket of napkins is not.
Get the look
4. A wine or bottle rack
A wine rack above the fridge is a classic built-in, but be careful. Heat rising from the fridge is bad for wine you plan to keep. Use it for bottles you will drink within a few weeks, or for other bottles: olive oil, vinegar backups, or sparkling water.
Even for short-term storage, a rack keeps bottles from rolling and looks neat. Built-in cubby racks look best when they fill the whole width of the gap. A small freestanding rack can sit on top of the fridge if it is light and stable, but check that it does not cover any vents.
Get the look
5. Fridge top decor
If you do not need the space for storage, style it. A few larger pieces, such as a big ceramic pitcher, a woven basket, a cake stand, or a trailing plant, add character. Keep it simple and easy to dust.
The top of a fridge collects dust and grease quickly, especially near the stove. Choose pieces that are easy to wipe or wash, and line the top with a washable mat or a sheet of shelf liner that you can replace. Two or three items of different heights look better than a long row of small things.
A trailing plant softens the hard edge of the fridge and cabinets. Faux is fine here; real plants rarely get enough light or water in such a high spot.
Get the look
6. Open shelf for cookbooks
An open shelf above the fridge can hold cookbooks you reach for occasionally. Keep them upright with bookends.
If there is no shelf, a cabinet without doors or a slim shelf fixed to the wall above the fridge works. Keep favorite everyday cookbooks somewhere easier to reach, and put the special-occasion ones up high. Cookbooks with nice spines add color and personality to a kitchen.
7. Seasonal storage
Holiday platters, a turkey roaster, and seasonal mugs are perfect for this spot. So are big serving bowls, a punch bowl, picnic gear, and the extra glasses that only come out for parties. You only need them a few times a year.
Label each bin with its season, and store the next season’s bin at the front. It saves digging through the whole space when the holidays come around. Wrap delicate platters in a cloth or put them in padded storage bags so they do not chip.
Get the look
8. Close the gap
Sometimes the best move is to make the gap disappear: extend cabinets to the ceiling, or add a panel so the fridge looks built in.
Closing the gap is especially worthwhile in a small kitchen, where a column of open space above the fridge can look untidy. Extending the cabinet run to the ceiling adds storage and makes the ceiling look taller. Crown molding along the top finishes it neatly. Paint everything the same color as the cabinets for a built-in look.
Get the look
FAQ
What can I put on top of my fridge?
Light, occasional-use items: trays, baskets, seasonal pieces, or decor.
Is it safe to store things on top of a refrigerator?
Light items, yes, if they do not block vents. Avoid heavy or heat-sensitive items.
How do I make the space above the fridge useful?
Use a deep cabinet, vertical dividers, or labeled baskets. The very small kitchen layout post has more space-saving ideas.
How much space should be above a refrigerator?
Check your fridge’s manual. Many models need at least an inch above them for airflow, and some need more. Never seal a fridge into a cabinet tighter than the manufacturer allows.
What should I not store above the fridge?
Heavy items, glass you might drop, medicines, chocolate, wine for aging, and anything heat-sensitive.
Can I put a microwave above the fridge?
It is not recommended. A microwave above head height is awkward and unsafe to reach with hot food. Put it on the counter, in a lower cabinet, or in a dedicated microwave drawer instead. The shared counter coffee corner post shows how to fit small appliances on a counter neatly.
The gap above your fridge does not have to be wasted. Choose the right things for it, organize it simply, and it becomes some of the most useful storage in the kitchen.