Clever Storage Ideas To Utilize The Space Above Cabinets

Have you ever wondered why your kitchen cabinets don't touch the ceiling? It turns out that there are both functional and aesthetic reasons cabinet makers and installers don't extend them all the way up. Although there's no hard and fast rule, standard kitchen cabinets are typically installed 18 inches above your countertops to make them easy to access while providing enough space to use kitchen appliances like blenders, mixers, and coffee pots. Especially in newer homes with higher ceilings, this often creates a gap above the top. Luckily, there are many clever storage ideas to utilize the space above your cabinets for storage. You could use it to hold dishes, dry goods, baskets, or books, or for hidden storage.

Kitchen cabinets that touch the ceiling may look sleek, but they also bring added challenges. It's difficult for most average users to reach the top shelves of ceiling height cabinets, often requiring a clunky step stool or cumbersome ladder to retrieve everyday items. Kitchens are also frequently exposed to changes in temperature. Leaving a little ventilation space can prevent mold and mildew from growing in or on top of your cabinets, which are usually kept shut and poorly ventilated. Whether you're completely running out of space to cook or just want to store infrequently used items, there are a myriad of ways you can expand your kitchen storage by using the space above your cabinets.

Unused space between the cabinet and ceiling is one of the kitchen cabinet choices that will make it harder to sell your home. Double-stacked cabinets and faux bulkheads can create the illusion of ceiling height cabinets, but using the space to store dishes can also look chic while still being highly functional. If you only break out your grandmother's china for special occasions, consider using the space above your kitchen cabinets for neat stacks of plates, bowls, and saucers. For a clean look, set simple stacks of dishes next to each other across a row of cabinets, remembering to use the cheap plate hack to protect your china. For a little more variety, add tea cups, water pitchers, or coffee carafes between the stacks.

Serving platters are typically one of the most challenging items to store in your kitchen. When you're not using them, these larger pieces can look stunning when carefully arranged on the top of your cabinets using sturdy IPAME Large Plate Stands for Display. The highly-rated black iron platter stands work especially well because they are heavy-duty, staying in place even when cabinets are frequently opened and closed.

In almost every kitchen, storage space is at a premium. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, the average United States kitchen in a newly-built home is 161 square feet. No matter how large your space is, it's imperative to have a functional place to store all your pantry essentials. Whether you have a walk-in pantry or use cabinets for food storage, everything should be easily accessible. If you don't have a large pantry space but often buy items in bulk, the space above your cabinets may be the best place to store your excess goods.

Whether you have plenty of room or are always on the lookout for creative DIY pantry ideas to expand your kitchen storage, don't overlook the space above your cabinets for storing dry goods. There are a number of excellent containers you can use to store flour, sugar, pasta, rice, or other foods, from airtight vintage tins to OXO Good Grips POP Containers, which are dishwasher-safe and stack beautifully. A row of colorful homemade canned goods in large glass jars can also look stunning above your kitchen cabinets, but make sure you store them away from direct heat or your range hood to keep them from spoiling.

Baskets are a perfect place to store important documents that you don't need every day, cards or letters you can't bear to part with, or kitchen items that you rarely use but want easy access to. Available in a wide variety of materials, styles, and colors, it's easy to find square or rectangular baskets that will fit above your kitchen cabinets at craft stores, dollar stores, or even thrift stores. Most kitchens have a 1 to 2 foot gap between the upper cabinets and ceiling, but make sure you measure before making your basket selections. Fill your baskets with odds-and-ends and then place them above your cabinets.

Consider how often you'll need to access the items you store in baskets above your kitchen cabinets and any special requirements they have for maintenance. Precious papers will stay protected if you select a lidded basket. You may want to forgo a lid and choose a basket with higher sides to store rarely used kitchen appliances like sandwich presses, blenders, or juicers. To get the look, avoid making your kitchen too dark by leaving room between bulkier baskets, and consider incorporating some low-maintenance houseplants that will thrive in a small space between them.

From classics like "The Joy of Cooking" to modern titles like "Magnolia Table", if you're an avid cook or baker, you likely have more cookbooks than you can count. It's important to keep your family's favorite recipes close by. But if you're not going to flip through the pages of that giant air fryer recipe book in the near future or have cookbooks that are more decorative than they are functional, consider using the space above your kitchen cabinets to store and display your cookbooks. Even the largest hard-bound books are likely to fit. Although a random collection looks beautiful, for a more orderly look, consider sorting the spines by color to form an ombre rainbow effect. If you prefer a more neutral aesthetic, arrange your cookbooks with the spines facing inward.

This storage idea doesn't just work for cookbooks. Expensive textbooks, encyclopedia collections, dictionaries, and even infrequently read art books can be stored above your kitchen cabinets if your home library is overflowing. To avoid damage to the dust jackets or paper, make sure to store books away from heat sources or places where oil may splatter.

Sometimes the tops of upper kitchen cabinets aren't flat, usually because a decorative trim or crown molding element has been added. This can create the perfect opportunity for hidden storage, allowing you to tuck items away without anyone ever seeing them. From Christmas gifts you don't want your kids to find to long tubes of wrapping paper that are otherwise crammed awkwardly into hall closets or overflowing storage bins, don't overlook horizontal storage opportunities for lower profile items.

It's easy enough to completely transform your cabinets with the addition of crown molding, but if you want to quickly create some hidden storage or just need a place for extra wine and spirits, stack a row of bottles close to the front edge of the top of your cabinets. This will leave space behind them for the items you want to hide away. The Barvivo Black Silicone Anti-Slip Coasters can help hold your bottles in place. Adding a few dried flowers in a bud vase or a unique decorative sculpture will add visual interest without revealing your secret hiding spot.