Ideas for Using that Awkward Space Above the Fridge

Carrie McBride

updated Mar 11, 2020

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Scott’s DIY Kitchen Renovation on a Budget on The Kitchn (Image credit: Leela Cyd Ross)

The space above a refrigerator is often overlooked and underused. It’s not particularly accessible for oft-used items, but it’s a shame to have the space go to waste, especially in a small kitchen. I looked at a selection of real homes to see how people were using this space. Some of these examples involve clever built-ins, but many will work for renters, too.

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Simple shelves were installed on the wall above the fridge to hold a few cookbooks and some barware. → Revamp Home Goods

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

A television hangs in the niche above this fridge. → Tillman Long Interiors

(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)

Kristen & Michelle’s Modern Bohemian on Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Leah Moss)

(Image credit: Andrea Sparacio)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

all-white kitchen → Laura’s Living Better With Less on Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Submitted by Sarah)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Build-in cabinetry leaves a small gap for easy-t0-see food storage → Better Homes & Gardens

(Image credit: Liana Hayles Newton)

Mark’s Delightful (and Delicious!) West Village Home on Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

A combo of wine and cook book storage in these built-in shelves →Emily and Andrew de Stefano’s Kitchen on Design*Sponge

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

This custom-built storage has room for a few bulky items as well as slots to hold a collection of cutting boards. → Bev Cooks

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Cabinets are fitted with slots to hold cookie trays and the like → Bright, Bold & Beautiful

(Image credit: Carrie McBride)

In my own small rental kitchen I turned a steel bookcase on its side and placed it above the fridge to hold our cookbook collection.

(Image credit: Lindsay Tella)

When Andi remodeled her kitchen she had very simple dividers added above her fridge to store large pots and some decorative items. → Andi’s Kitchen Renovation: The Big Reveal

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Ashley filled in a gap between her fridge and upper cabinets with three identical baskets for storage. → Ashley’s Nest