Ideas for Using that Awkward Space Above the Fridge

Carrie McBride
Carrie McBride
Carrie is a former Apartment Therapy editor and the original editor of Apartment Therapy Media's first site for kids: Ohdeedoh. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids..
updated Mar 11, 2020
Add Us
See more Apartment Therapy stories when you search on Google.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
See More Images
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.

(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

See More Images
(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux)
Kristen & Michelle’s Modern Bohemian on Apartment Therapy


See More Images
(Image credit: Leah Moss)
See More Images
(Image credit: Andrea Sparacio)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

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


See More Images
(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

See More Images
(Image credit: Liana Hayles Newton)


(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

See More Images
(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.

See More Images
(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

Filed in:
Decorating
kitchen
small spaces

More to Love from Apartment Therapy