How to Use Space Above Kitchen Cabinets for Storage | Step-by-Step Guide for Using Cabinets & Storage

kitchen storage

Transform your kitchen by effectively utilizing an often-overlooked area: the space above your kitchen cabinets. This guide will walk you through maximizing this prime real estate for both storage and aesthetic appeal.

In This Article

Understanding the Space Above Your Kitchen Cabinets:

What Is Considered Dead Space?

The area often referred to as “dead space” is specifically the unused expanse found between the top of kitchen cabinets and the ceiling. This unutilized space above kitchen cabinets can often accumulate dust and go unnoticed, yet it holds immense potential for extra storage and decorative enhancements. Identifying this space above the cabinets is the first step in transforming an often-neglected area into a functional and stylish part of your kitchen.

Benefits of Utilizing the Empty Space Above Kitchen Cabinets:

Utilizing the empty space above kitchen cabinets offers a myriad of benefits, particularly in smaller kitchens where every inch counts. By drawing the eye upward, this strategy can make the entire kitchen feel bigger and more expansive. Furthermore, it provides an invaluable opportunity for the storage of tall, wide, or long items that simply do not fit elsewhere or inside your standard kitchen cabinets, effectively providing extra storage without the need for a full renovation.

Using Baskets for Organized Storage

Assessing Your Kitchen Cabinet Layout

Before embarking on any storage solutions, it is crucial to thoroughly assess your kitchen cabinet layout and the specific dimensions of the space above your kitchen cabinets. For instance, in one example, the opening from the top of the cabinet to the ceiling measured 17.5 inches tall, offering a decent amount of vertical space. Another area, like the space above a refrigerator and an adjacent cabinet, might be deeper, perhaps 24 inches, providing even more room. Conversely, a kitchen with 42-inch upper cabinets might only have 10.5 inches of space between the top of the cabinets and a 9-foot ceiling, requiring more creative and compact storage solutions.

Creative Storage Solutions for the Top of Cabinets

Using Baskets for Organized Storage

Transform your kitchen with practical and charming storage using baskets on the top of cabinets. A wood basket, for instance, can infuse warmth and distribute wood tones throughout the kitchen, enhancing its overall style. Lidded baskets, especially those adorned with cute labels, offer excellent extra storage while keeping contents clean and dust-free. For a seamless look that complements white kitchen cabinets, large white cardboard boxes with lids from Ikea can provide ample and discreet storage, effectively utilizing the space above your kitchen cabinets.

Displaying Cookbooks as Decorative Storage

Cookbooks offer a dual purpose when displayed on the top of kitchen cabinets: both decorative and functional. They can be incorporated into the space above kitchen cabinets, either stacked vertically for height or horizontally, with a small box aiding in breaking up other displayed items. However, it is worth noting that cookbooks in this area may accumulate sticky residue from kitchen activities, requiring relatively high maintenance to keep them looking their best in this elevated spot above the upper cabinets.

Incorporating Serving Pieces for Functional Decor

To free up valuable space inside your kitchen cabinets, consider storing prettier serving pieces on the top of cabinets. Items like cake plates and other assorted, cute, and large decorative bowls or serving platters are ideal for this space above your kitchen cabinets. Pottery pieces, in particular, are excellent for display due to their artistic appeal and relative ease of cleaning, adding both style and practical extra storage to your kitchen without a full renovation.

Decorating the Space Above Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing the Right Style for Your Kitchen

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To free up valuable space inside your kitchen cabinets, consider storing prettier serving pieces on the top of cabinets. Items like cake plates and other assorted, cute, and large decorative bowls or serving platters are ideal for this space above your kitchen cabinets. Pottery pieces, in particular, are excellent for display due to their artistic appeal and relative ease of cleaning, adding both style and practical extra storage to your kitchen without a full renovation.

Tips for Cabinet Decor That Complements Your Design

Thoughtful cabinet decor can significantly enhance your kitchen’s overall design. For instance, painting beadboard white can lighten and brighten cubbies above the cabinets, allowing displayed items to stand out against a pristine backdrop. Crown molding can create architectural interest by outlining pieces with varying depths, adding sophistication to the space above kitchen cabinets. Layering artwork provides depth and helps fill vertical space, while a minimal approach to styling a small section of cabinets can also be highly effective, ensuring the area does not feel cluttered.

Creating Visual Interest with Height Variation

To truly make the space above kitchen cabinets visually engaging, incorporate height variation. Simple DIY solutions like using old books or sturdy cardboard boxes can elegantly elevate vases or decorative bowls, allowing them to be showcased more prominently. Similarly, stacking cookbooks, whether vertically or horizontally, is an effective way to add dynamic variety to your display. This technique ensures that your decorative items capture attention and enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen, making the most of the space above the cabinet.

Maximizing Storage with Cabinets to the Ceiling

Advantages of Full-Height Kitchen Cabinets

Building cubbies above kitchen cabinets presents an excellent DIY opportunity to extend your storage all the way to the ceiling, effectively transforming an otherwise awkward opening into prime real estate. This strategic approach ensures that no space above the kitchen cabinets is wasted, providing additional storage that is seamlessly integrated into your kitchen’s design. The primary advantage of opting for full-height cabinets or extending existing ones is the significant increase in usable storage volume, allowing you to store items that might not fit elsewhere or inside your standard upper cabinets, thereby reducing clutter and enhancing the overall functionality of your kitchen.


Ideas for Filling Prime Real Estate Above Kitchen Cabinets

To maximize the prime real estate above kitchen cabinets, consider building cubbies in pieces using durable materials like MDF, ensuring their height is adjusted for an easy fit and a professional finish. For deeper spaces, such as above a refrigerator, cubbies of a good compromise depth, perhaps sixteen inches, can be incredibly efficient. A continuous L-shaped box can be constructed to elegantly close any remaining gap above the cabinets, providing a cohesive look. Beadboard can be used for the back of these boxes, adding a touch of decorative charm, while dividers inside the boxes can mimic the size of the cabinets below them for a harmonious appearance. Finishing touches, including face frames, trim details, and crown molding, elevate the cabinet decor, and installing LED strip lighting inside the cubbies can beautifully illuminate displayed items, making the space above your cabinets both practical and visually appealing.

How to Avoid Clutter in Your Kitchen Space

To truly avoid clutter in your kitchen space, especially when utilizing the area above kitchen cabinets, it is crucial to minimize the amount of stuff placed there. While the extra storage is tempting, discerning what items are truly worth keeping is key; for those used infrequently, consider if borrowing them is a viable alternative to ownership. An excellent way to manage kitchen gadgets and items not used daily is through kitchen closets with floor-to-ceiling shelves, creating a dedicated pantry area that keeps your main kitchen space clean and organized. This approach ensures that the space above your cabinets remains decorative and functional without becoming a visible repository for rarely used items, preserving the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.

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Put the dead space between the ceiling and cabinet top to good use

To effectively utilize the dead space between the ceiling and cabinet top, meticulous planning of your DIY project is essential. In a typical scenario, the opening from cabinet to ceiling might measure 17.5 inches tall, providing ample vertical space. For an easy fit and to account for any slight unevenness, cubbies can be custom-built to be slightly shorter, perhaps 15.5 inches high. One cubby can be strategically placed for the opening above the cabinet to the left of the range hood, while a second, larger cubby can be designed for the deeper 24-inch space above the refrigerator and the adjacent cabinet. A continuous L-shaped box can then be built to close any remaining gap above the cabinets, providing a seamless and integrated look. To enhance both the aesthetic and structural integrity, beadboard can be used for the back of all the boxes, and dividers inside the boxes should be carefully positioned to mimic the size of the cabinets below them, creating a cohesive and highly functional extra storage solution.

Your Questions, Answered

What types of items can I store above my kitchen cabinets?

You can store a variety of items above your kitchen cabinets, including infrequently used kitchen appliances, decorative items, cookbooks, and seasonal dishware.

To enhance accessibility, consider using storage bins or baskets that can be easily pulled down. Additionally, utilizing a sturdy step stool can assist in reaching items without difficulty.

Yes, dust can accumulate on items stored above cabinets. To mitigate this, regularly clean the area and consider using decorative boxes or containers with lids to protect the contents.

Utilizing stackable storage bins, labeled containers, or decorative baskets can help organize the space effectively. These solutions allow for better visibility and easier access to stored items.

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